The Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues didn’t clinch playoff berths on Monday because they lost their games and the Calgary Flames won theirs.
They will try again Wednesday night but only one can clinch because the two teams are playing each other. Depending on the outcome of their game, it’s possible neither clinches. Regardless of the result, they will need help from the Flames (see below).
The idle New Jersey Devils also can clinch a playoff berth and the idle Washington Capitals can clinch the top record in the Eastern Conference. They clinched the Metropolitan Division title Tuesday, also on their day off. They resume play Thursday, when they’ll honor Alex Ovechkin for his goal-scoring record.
Also Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning would move into the Atlantic Division lead if they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation.
Here’s a look at the NHL playoff picture through games of Tuesday, April 8:
(as of April 9; x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title; z-eliminated from postseason contention)
Metropolitan Division
Atlantic Division
Wild card
Sitting outside playoff position:New York Rangers (79), Detroit Red Wings (79), New York Islanders (79), Columbus Blue Jackets (79), z-Buffalo Sabres (76), z-Pittsburgh Penguins (76), z-Boston Bruins (73), z-Philadelphia Flyers (71)
(as of April 7; x-clinched playoff berth; z-eliminated from postseason contention)
Central Division
Pacific Division
Wild card
Sitting outside playoff spot: Calgary Flames (87), Vancouver Canucks (85), Utah Hockey Club (84), z-Anaheim Ducks (76), z-Seattle Kraken (74), z-Nashville Predators (64), z-Chicago Blackhawks (54), z-San Jose Sharks (50)
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 7:
Key: M – Metropolitan Division. A – Atlantic Division. WC – wild card
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 7:
Key: C – Central Division P – Pacific Division. WC – wild card
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17, with seven games.
The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
