Four Eastern Conference teams have a shot at clinching a playoff spot in games on Tuesday, with the Bruins-Panthers tilt the marquee match-up of the night.
According to NHL.com, the Bruins can secure their eighth consecutive trip to the post-season if they defeat the Panthers (in regulation, overtime, or shootout) and the Red Wings fall to the Capitals.
The Panthers, who lost to Vegas in last season's Stanley Cup Finals, can clinch if they beat the Bruins in any fashion, combined with any of the following scenarios occurring:
• The Red Wings lose to the Capitals in any fashion;
• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in regulation;
• Or the Flyers losing to the Rangers in overtime or shootout and the Capitals lose to the Red Wings in regulation.
If the Panthers only get one point against the Bruins, they can still clinch if the Red Wings lose to the Capitals in regulation.
Boston and Florida are currently tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with 97 points. That game can be seen at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
The Rangers, who are in first place in the Metropolitan with 98 points, can clinch with any of the following scenarios:
• A win over the Flyers in any fashion;
• If they secure a point against the Flyers and the Red Wings lose to the Capitals in any fashion;
• If the Red Wings lose to the Capitals in regulation.
This would be just the third playoff berth for the Rangers in the last seven seasons.
The fourth team that can lock up a playoff ticket is Carolina, currently just one point back of the Rangers in the Metro. The Hurricanes can clinch if they defeat the Penguins in any fashion and any of the following occurs:
• The Red Wings lose to the Capitals in any fashion;
• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in regulation;
• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in overtime or shootout and the Capitals lose to the Red Wings in regulation;
• If they get one point and the Red Wings lose to the Capitals in regulation.
The Hurricanes are looking for their sixth straight trip to the post-season.
All 12 games on a busy night in the NHL can be seen on Sportsnet+.
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