Welcome to another edition of NHL Notebook, where we examine current events across the league.

The playoff picture is coming into greater focus with less than a month before the postseason begins. We’ll get right into it!

Brad Marchand as a member of the Florida Panthers still doesn’t feel quite right, but the 36-year-old made his debut for his new club Friday, making an instant impact. Marchand set up Sam Bennett’s overtime winner, leading the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club.

“Every day that goes by, feeling much more comfortable and much more a part of the group,” Marchand said. “And when you play and you’re in everything day to day, it definitely helps that happen quicker. So, yeah, I’m excited to continue to build with the group here.”

Marchand bolsters the Panthers’ chances of repeating as Stanley Cup champions, and paired with Bennett, he’s allowed to play to his full capabilities as a scoring winger that can irritate nearly any opponent.

As a result of the victory, the Panthers hold a one-point lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs for first place in the Atlantic Division with 10 games to go. Marchand wasted no time with his new club, and it could be a warning sign to the rest of the league, with the playoffs on the horizon.

If the playoffs were to begin today, the Columbus Blue Jackets would be squaring off against the Washington Capitals in the first round. Columbus secured a critical 7-6 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, after trailing 3-0 during the first period. Kent Johnson scored the lone goal in the shootout, and the Blue Jackets now occupy the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers on points, with fewer games played.

It was a tough loss for the Canucks, who are now four points back of the scorching St. Louis Blues for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. And it may not be the end of their push for a spot, especially as the Canucks have played one fewer game than the Blues, but it’s a crucial loss towards their playoff bid, as they resume their schedule against the conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.