After missing the playoffs seven times in the last eight years, the Vancouver Canucks have a chance to officially break that streak on Monday.
The Canucks, currently leading the league with 98 points, have a few avenues available to them to become the first team to clinch a spot in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Scheduled to face the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, the Canucks will clinch if they defeat their opponent in any fashion and the St. Louis Blues lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in any fashion.
However, if the Canucks happen to lose in overtime to the Kings, there is still another way it could happen on Monday. Vancouver could also clinch if they earn one point and the Blues lose to the Golden Knights in regulation.
Vegas (83 points) currently holds the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, while St. Louis (79 points) trails right behind them, currently positioned to miss the post-season.
Considering the Canucks have not played a playoff game in their home arena in nine years, fans of the team will be rejoicing, whether it happens Monday or in the very near future.
And there could be other clinching scenarios ahead of them as the regular season comes to an end. The Canucks are currently on pace to clinch the Pacific Division title, a feat they haven't accomplished since 2013. Leading the league, they also have a shot at earning their third Presidents' Trophy in franchise history.
You can catch playoff contenders Vancouver and Los Angeles going head to head Monday night starting at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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