What’s at stake in the NHL: Golden Knights, Leafs, Canes, Panthers, Lightning can clinch
We’ve reached the eventful final stretch of the NHL season. At this point, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot or division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re here to break down exactly what you need to know between now and the end of the season April 17.
So what’s at stake across the 10-game slate for Tuesday, April 1?
– If the Vegas Golden Knights (45-20-8) collect at least one point AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Red Wings in regulation, that clinches a playoff spot for Vegas.
– The Anaheim Ducks’ (32-33-8) minuscule playoff hopes, listed at 0 percent according to MoneyPuck, hang by a strand of dental floss. They will be mathematically eliminated if they lose in regulation and the Blues win. They have several other elimination scenarios that will come in to play depending on the Minnesota Wild’s Wednesday result, too.
– The Toronto Maple Leafs (45-24-4) will pass the Boston Bruins for the NHL’s longest active playoff appearance streak and extend it to nine seasons once they clinch, which is imminent. It can happen Tuesday while Toronto is idle if the Montreal Canadiens or Columbus Blue Jackets lose in any fashion.
– The Florida Panthers (44-26-3) will clinch a a playoff spot if they beat the Montreal Canadiens in regulation AND the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Nashville Predators in regulation.
– The Carolina Hurricanes (45-24-4) will clinch a playoff spot if the Canadiens lose to the Panthers on Tuesday.
– The Tampa Bay Lightning (43-25-5) will clinch a playoff spot if they beat the New York Islanders AND the Habs and Blue Jackets lose in regulation Tuesday.
– With one point Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens blueliner Lane Hutson will become just the 10th rookie defenseman in NHL history to tally 60 points in a season.
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