What’s at Stake in the NHL: Three division titles in play during 13-game slate
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 13-game slate of action on Tuesday, April 9? A lot.
– The New York Rangers (53-21-4) can clinch the Metropolitan Division title if they beat the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes (49-22-7) lose to the Boston Bruins.
– The Bruins (46-17-15) will clinch the Atlantic Division crown if they beat the Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers (48-24-6) lose to the Ottawa Senators in regulation and the Toronto Maple Leafs (45-23-9) lose to the New Jersey Devils.
– It’s likely curtains for the Devils (37-36-5) Tuesday night given there are seven different permutations that will eliminate them from playoff contention. If they lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation and the Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers or Detroit Red Wings win, it’s over. You can find all seven Devils elimination scenarios here.
– The Buffalo Sabres (37-36-5) are obviously on the brink too given they have an identical record to New Jersey’s. Most of the scenarios hinge on a loss to the Dallas Stars in regulation. If that happens, there are six different ways the Sabres can get knocked out on Tuesday night, including wins by the Flyers, Red Wings and Islanders. You can find all the permutations here.
– The Nashville Predators (45-29-4) control their clinching destiny tonight. They qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs if they defeat the Winnipeg Jets or lose in overtime or a shootout.
– The Stars (49-20-9) can clinch the Central Division crown if they beat the Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche (48-24-6) lose to the Minnesota Wild in regulation and the Jets (47-24-6) lose to the Predators in regulation.
– The Wild (37-31-9) will be eliminated from the playoffs with a regulation loss to the Avalanche Tuesday.
– The Los Angeles Kings (41-25-11) clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday.
– There’s nothing mathematically at stake between the Red Wings (38-31-8) and Washington Capitals (36-30-11), but it’s pretty much a playoff game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit given the Wings hold down the last Eastern Conference Wildcard spot and the freefalling Caps are one point back.
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