This Week in the NHL: Can Habs prove they’re a legit playoff threat in East?

With 32 teams and seemingly infinite storylines, it’s hard to keep track of all the weekly goings on during the NHL season. That’s why I’m here to help. Every Monday from October to April, I’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.

So what’s on tap for March 17-23?

March 17: Can Blue Jackets catch Devils in Metro race?

New Jersey Devils @ Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:00 p.m. ET

The Devils are reeling, absolutely riddled with catastrophic injuries. Their hold on third in the Metropolitan Division feels shaky. The Blue Jackets open the week eight points back of them but with two games in hand. Monday marks the teams’ final meeting this season. If Columbus wins, it will close the gap, but if a four-point swing goes the other way, the Devils will prove hard to catch even while they’re so banged up.

March 18: Can Habs show they’re a playoff threat?

Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens, 7:00 p.m. ET

The Senators have surged into the top Eastern Conference Wildcard spot, winning six straight games. But Habs aren’t going away, either, having closed to within one point of the other Wildcard position. It’s been a long time since either of these clubs played a game this meaningful in mid-March of a season, but here we are. Can the Habs take down one of the league’s hottest teams and prove they’re a true playoff threat?

Will Alex Ovechkin pull to within five of the goals record?

The idea of Ovechkin closing to within single digits of passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record felt unfathomable a few years ago. But Ovechkin, defying age, has an incredible 34 goals through 51 games this season, scoring at a 55-goal pace at 39 years young. He opens the week seven back of tying The Great One and eight away from setting a new league record at 895. Ovi’s Washington Capitals play three times this week…