What’s at Stake in the NHL: Grim Reaper to greet Central Division bubble teams?
Welcome to the April leg of the 2023-24 NHL regular season. At this point in the calendar, the stakes are elevated. We’re starting to see teams clinch playoff spots. Players are hitting milestones. There’s seemingly something on the line every night.
So what’s at stake during the 11-game slate of action on Saturday, April 6?
– The Minnesota Wild (36-30-9) will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to the Winnipeg Jets in regulation and the Nashville Predators beat the New York Islanders.
– The St. Louis Blues (40-32-4)’s 2023-24 playoff hopes will end if they lose to the lowly San Jose Sharks in regulation and the Predators beat the Islanders.
– Somehow, the Ottawa Senators (33-38-4) aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but it’s all but certain to happen Saturday. Six different scenarios will knock them out: (a) Ottawa loses to the New Jersey Devils, (b) the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning; (c) The Flyers win and the Islanders beat the Predators; (d) the Penguins beat the Lightning and the Islanders beat the Predators; (e) one point for the Sens, one point for the Pens and an Isles victory; and (f) the Sens win in overtime or a shootout, the Pens and Isles get a point and the Flyers win. Let’s not kid ourselves, though. Ottawa’s season has been over a while now.
– Updated milestone watch: the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid remains three assists from 100 on the year, while the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby remains three assists from 1,000 for his career.
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