Five Teams Could Lock Up Playoff Spots Saturday Night, and the Kraken Are Watching It Happen
The NHL regular season is down to its final weekend, and Saturday could be the night when up to five teams punch their tickets to the postseason. Nine of 16 playoff spots are already clinched. One weekend of chaos could change everything.
East Coast Battles: Bruins and Senators Both in Position
In the Eastern Conference, five of eight spots are locked. Two more could fall Saturday. The Boston Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points) have multiple paths to clinch a wild-card berth against Tampa Bay. The simplest route is any kind of win. But they could also punch through with an overtime loss if New Jersey beats Detroit and either Ottawa knocks off the Islanders or Winnipeg gets past Philadelphia. The Bruins even have a chance with a regulation loss if the Devils win in regulation paired with a victory by the Senators or Jets.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiOttawa (42-27-10, 94 points) sits in the second wild-card spot, three points ahead of the bubble. The Senators need the cleanest path: a win over New York and a Red Wings loss to New Jersey.
West Is Wide Open: Edmonton, Vegas, and Anaheim Closing In
The Western Conference picture is even tighter. Four spots are already clinched, including all three Central Division guaranteed berths. Here's the wild part: no Pacific Division team has officially clinched yet, but all three division leaders will get their shot Saturday.
Edmonton (40-29-10, 90 points) clinches if they grab at least one point against Los Angeles or if Winnipeg fails to beat Philadelphia in regulation. Vegas (36-26-17, 89 points) is going for their eighth playoff appearance in nine seasons. A win over Colorado gets it done. They also clinch with an overtime loss to Colorado if Philadelphia beats Winnipeg and Minnesota beats Nashville. Vegas even has a third route: if the Flyers and Wild both win in regulation and Vancouver beats San Jose.
Here's the kicker: Anaheim (42-32-5, 89 points) doesn't even play Saturday but could clinch while sitting at home. They need Vancouver to beat San Jose in any fashion while both Philadelphia and Minnesota win in regulation. It would be the Ducks' first playoff ticket since 2017-18.
What's Next
Fifteen games Saturday night. Playoff hopes on the line. This is why you watch hockey down to the final day.
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