Four More In, Still Two Races Left

What an excellent night for results in the schedule on Friday night, as four teams finally clinched their playoff spots and there is still plenty of intrigue left, as to who will own the last spots in the playoff races.

With the Sabres beating the Flyers in regulation, Buffalo clinched their spot in the playoffs. Nashville beat the Blue Jackets, punching their ticket in. The Coyotes held off a late push from the Sharks, meaning they earned their way win. The Ducks squeaked passed the Kings at home, earning their spot in the playoffs as well. This means we have seven teams in both the East and the West who have clinched their spots in the playoffs, while leaving behind a couple of great races.

Only a couple days left now in the regular season and there is still quite a bit to be decided, including a couple of playoff spots.  I think I'll start with the preview of the playoff spots and we'll see where it goes from there.

The Eastern Conference 8th spot gets some early treatment as the New York Rangers, who go into Saturday in 9th place, will get started in the very early 10:30am MT game against the Devils.  They will need at least a point to have any sort of chance at sliding through the closing door into the playoffs, but then they will need some help.   First things first though, they need their own result.  A win or an overtime/shootout loss will put themselves in 8th by virtue of points earned, but going in without tie-breakers means that whatever they earn, the Hurricanes will have to earn less of when they play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If the Rangers lose to the Devils in regulation, they will be eliminated and then the Hurricanes will have clinched 8th spot and will face the Capitals in the 1st round of the playoffs.  If the Rangers do earn a point, all the Hurricanes have to do is match or better the result against Tampa on Saturday evening, which will seal their fate into the playoffs.

In the West, the last playoff spot and some last minute jockeying will conclude on Sunday, as both the Dallas Stars, who sit in 9th, and the Chicago Blackhawks, currently holding the spot in 8th, will have some key games to decide the fates of their teams.  That will be explored in tomorrow's preview.

Going back to what can be clinched today, the Pittsburgh Penguins can clinch the Atlantic Division title, if the Flyers drop a decision at home to the Islanders and they can clinch 2nd place in the Eastern Conference if the Bruins lose to the Senators in regulation.  Both scenarios have to happen for it all to happen, but it is theoretically possible, somewhat improbable though.

Since the Bruins have already clinched their division, they can only move into second with a pair of wins this weekend, but they would need a Penguins loss on Sunday in Atlanta.

The Sabres can clinch 6th spot in the East with a win in Columbus tonight, but the Canadiens could pick it up on Saturday night, if the Sabres lose in regulation and at least a point in Montreal's favour.  An overtime/shootout loss for the Sabres would mean the Canadiens need a win, taking the spot in the tie-break.

In the West, the Sharks can clinch the 2nd spot in the conference with a win at home to the Coyotes, they control their own fate on Saturday.

The Predators control their own destiny for a home-ice spot in the playoffs on Saturday, needing a win in St. Louis to accomplish that.  Any other result will send the spot into a bit of a lottery with the Coyotes, Kings and Ducks on Saturday night, where just about anyone can clinch the spot with the right circumstances.

I think we're in for a whale of a day, leading up to one hell of a finale on Sunday!