Three NHL teams could secure their spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this Saturday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers control their own destiny in the Eastern Conference. The Los Angeles Kings require some external factors to align in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff berth.
Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for each team:
Lightning
- If Tampa Bay earns at least one point against the Buffalo Sabres.
- If the New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils game does not end in a Rangers regulation win, OR if the Montreal Canadiens lose to the Philadelphia Flyers in regulation time.
Panthers
- If Florida wins against the Ottawa Senators.
- If Florida gets one point against Ottawa AND either the Rangers do not win against the Devils in regulation, OR the Canadiens lose to the Flyers in regulation.
- If the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs AND the Rangers lose to the Devils in regulation.
Kings
- If Los Angeles wins against the Edmonton Oilers AND the Calgary Flames lose to the Vegas Golden Knights.
- If Los Angeles gets one point against Edmonton AND the Flames lose to Vegas in regulation time.
In the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes have already secured playoff positions. In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Golden Knights have clinched berths.
You can watch the game between the Oilers and Kings live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. MT.
