NHL Live chats with top 2015 prospect McDavid

NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, will not only preview the nine-game schedule Thursday but also look to the future as Connor McDavid, a top prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft, joins us on the phone to talk about his Ontario Hockey League season with the Erie Otters, participating in the World Junior Championship and his hopes for the future.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their push for the franchise's second berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they face the Montreal Canadiens, and Blue Jackets analyst Jody Shelley will join us from the Arena Cam at Bell Centre to talk about their postseason push.

It's also the first day of spring and E.J. will look at what NHL hopefuls need to "spring ahead" into the playoffs.