Four Teams Could Lock In Their Playoff Spots on April 4, and Here's Exactly How
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are starting to feel real. On April 4, we're looking at a few scenarios where teams can punch their tickets to the postseason, and the paths to clinching are more complicated than you might think. Let's break down exactly what needs to happen.
The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning Both Have Their Chances
The Buffalo Sabres can clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Washington Capitals in any way. They can also clinch with just one point against Washington if either the New York Rangers defeat the Detroit Red Wings (any fashion) or the Minnesota Wild beat the Ottawa Senators in regulation. Or if the Rangers specifically beat the Red Wings in regulation, that also gets it done for Buffalo.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiTampa Bay Lightning have almost the same math. They clinch with a win over the Boston Bruins, or they clinch with one point against Boston if either the Rangers defeat Detroit (any fashion) or the Wild beat Ottawa in regulation. And again, a Rangers regulation win over Detroit does the job alone.
Carolina's Path to Locking Down the Metropolitan
The Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division with a few different scenarios. They clinch by beating the New York Islanders in regulation AND getting any result except a Pittsburgh Penguins regulation win over Florida. Or they can clinch by beating the Islanders in overtime or shootout AND having the Panthers defeat the Penguins in any fashion. Finally, Carolina clinches with just one point against the Islanders if the Panthers beat the Penguins in regulation.
So yeah, there are a bunch of moving pieces here. Multiple teams, multiple games, and a lot of different ways for things to shake out. That's playoff season hockey for you. Teams are desperate, every point matters, and one result somewhere else in the league can completely change someone's night.
Keep your eyes on these four matchups on April 4. One of these scenarios is going down, and someone's heading to the playoffs.
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