The defending Stanley Cup champs are now 16 wins away from defending their title.
The Florida Panthers clinched a playoff spot on Saturday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Florida missed a chance to do it without help earlier when the Panthers lost to the Ottawa Senators. But the New York Rangers' loss to the New Jersey Devils and the Blue Jackets' setback sealed the deal for the Panthers.
The Panthers are third in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and four ahead of Ottawa.
Tampa clinched a playoff spot earlier Saturday.
The Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes also have already locked up playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, while the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche and Golden Knights hold berths in the Western Conference.
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