Overview
- Buffalo, which rallied Wednesday to beat the Rangers 5-3, clinched its first postseason since 2010-11 and moved into first place in the Atlantic Division.
- Connor McDavid’s hat trick Wednesday lifted Edmonton to a 5-2 win in San Jose and pushed the Oilers two points clear of Vegas atop the Pacific.
- Vegas extended its streak to four wins under new coach John Tortorella by beating Vancouver 2-1, and visits Seattle tonight with the Kraken eliminated if they lose in regulation.
- Pittsburgh can clinch a playoff berth tonight with a win over New Jersey, or if Columbus loses in regulation to Buffalo and the Islanders lose to Toronto.
- Other clinches are in play tonight, with Colorado able to secure the Presidents’ Trophy with the right result against Calgary and Utah able to earn its first postseason with a regulation win over Nashville plus a San Jose loss to Anaheim.