What’s at Stake in the NHL: It’s ‘Win and we’re in’ night for Winnipeg Jets

Credit: Mar 30, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) (not shown) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

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 nine-game slate of action on Thursday, April 4?

– Win and they’re in. If the Winnipeg Jets (45-24-6) defeat the Calgary Flames, the Jets will clinch their second straight playoff berth. Even if the Jets lose, they’ll clinch Thursday if (a) The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild lose in regulation; (b) the Jets gain a point against Calgary, the Blues lose to the Nashville Predators AND the Wild get one point or fewer against the Colorado Avalanche; or (c) If the Jets get one point, the Blues get one point or fewer and the Wild lose in regulation.

– The Flames (34-35-5) might be booking tee times after tonight. If they lose to the Jets or if the Los Angeles Kings get even one point against the San Jose Sharks, Calgary will be eliminated from playoff contention.

– The Toronto Maple Leafs (43-23-9) failed to clinch a playoff spot Wednesday night but could do so from their couch Thursday. The Leafs’ magic number is one; they can clinch in seven different ways over the next two days. You can find the permutations here. With the Detroit Red Wings idle, the Leafs have two paths to clinch Thursday: (a) the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres lose outright, or (b) The Flyers lose and the New York Islanders are held to one point or fewer.

– If the Tampa Bay Lightning (42-26-7) beat the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre and get to 93 points, there are a few scenarios in which they could clinch a playoff spot, but a lot would have to go right. Scenario one: the Bolts win, the Pittsburgh Penguins lose, and the Flyers and Islanders lose in regulation. Scenario two: Tampa wins in regulation, the Washington Capitals lose to Pittsburgh in overtime or a shootout, and the Flyers and Islanders lose in regulation.

– The Canadiens (29-33-13) aren’t mathematically eliminated yet but could be tonight. There are nine different permutations that could end their season in the next two days.

– If the Ottawa Senators (33-37-4) lose to the Florida Panthers in regulation, there are nine different permutations that could eliminate the Sens tonight or tomorrow, seven of which include the Flyers beating the Buffalo Sabres and five of which include the Islanders beating the Columbus Blue Jackets.

– Quick reminder: Three assists tonight when the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-30-11) visit the Washington Capitals (36-28-10) in a crucial Wildcard bubble clash would give Sidney Crosby 1,000 for his career. He’d be the 14th player to get there.

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