Overview
- The league’s crowded schedule Saturday could lock in up to five berths, with the Bruins, Senators, Oilers, Golden Knights and idle Ducks holding clinch routes.
- In the East, Boston is in with any win over Tampa Bay, while Ottawa clinches by beating the Islanders if New Jersey defeats Detroit.
- Out West, Edmonton needs at least one point against the Kings or help from Winnipeg failing to win in regulation, Vegas clinches with any win at Colorado, and Anaheim gets in only if Vancouver beats San Jose and both Philadelphia and Minnesota win in regulation.
- Regulation wins act as the first tiebreaker before other measures like ROW and total wins, which is why several scenarios hinge on not just who wins but how they win.
- The regular season wraps Thursday, April 16 with the playoffs starting April 18, as other races continue including Dallas–Minnesota home ice in the Central and Detroit risking a 10th straight miss depending on results.