What’s at Stake in the NHL: Predators can punch ticket to playoffs

Credit: Apr 6, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) shoots the puck against the New York Islanders during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-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 Sunday, April 7?

– If the Nashville Predators (44-29-4) defeat the New Jersey Devils and the St. Louis Blues lose to the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville clinches and officially will return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year hiatus. The Preds can also clinch Sunday if they get one point against the Devils, the Blues lose in regulation and the Minnesota Wild lose to the Chicago Blackhawks.

– The Blues (40-32-5) and Wild (36-31-9) are on the precipice of elimination, but it can’t actually happen based solely on Nashville’s result; for both teams, elimination will also be contingent on what the Vegas Golden Knights do Monday against the Vancouver Canucks.

– Elsewhere in the Central, if the Dallas Stars (48-20-9) beat the Colorado Avalanche (48-26-6) in regulation, Dallas opens up a five-point lead atop the division.

– No Eastern Conference clinching or elimination scenarios are in play, but the loser of the key Atlantic Division matinee between the Detroit Red Wings (37-31-8) and Buffalo Sabres (37-35-5) will suffer a crippling blow in their push for a Wildcard spot.

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What’s at Stake in the NHL: Predators can punch ticket to playoffs

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