News – NHL: the stakes of this Tuesday

NHL

Road to the Playoffs

The regular season is coming to an end. There are 40 games left to play and the decisions are falling one after the other. Here are the stakes of the evening / night…

Presidents’ Trophy (regular season winner)

The Panthers will win the Presidents’ Trophy if they beat Boston by any means AND if St. Louis beats Colorado by any means; OR if they get a point against Boston AND if St. Louis beats Colorado in regulation.

Eastern Conference

• The Maple Leafs will secure second place in the Atlantic Division playoffs if they get at least one point against Detroit; OR if Columbus beats Tampa Bay in any way.
• A Maple Leafs-Lightning series in the first round will be guaranteed if Tampa Bay beats Columbus by any means AND if Florida beats Boston in regulation. Home ice in this series could be determined on Tuesday, depending on the Toronto scenario above.
• The Hurricanes will win the Metropolitan Division if they beat the New York Rangers by any means.

Western Conference

• The Oilers will grab second place in the Pacific Division if they beat Pittsburgh by any means.
• The (inactive) Kings will earn a playoff berth if Dallas beats Vegas by any means.
• A first-round Oilers-Kings streak will be guaranteed if Los Angeles earns a playoff berth (i.e., if Dallas beats Vegas by any means). Home ice in this series could be Tuesday, via the Edmonton scenario above.
• The Predators have five scenarios to secure a playoff spot on Tuesday:

1. If they beat Calgary in regulation; WHERE
2. If they beat Calgary in overtime AND Vegas fails to beat Dallas in regulation; WHERE
3. If they beat Calgary in a shootout AND Vegas fails to beat Dallas in regulation or overtime; WHERE
4. If they get a point against Calgary AND Vegas loses to Dallas in any way; WHERE
5. If Vegas loses to Dallas in regulation.

* The Stars will earn a playoff berth if they beat Vegas in regulation.

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