NHL Push for the Playoffs: Penguins, Lightning, Flames, Bruins can clinch

Push for the Playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2021-22 NHL season. We’ll highlight the current playoff picture in both conferences, take a look at what the first-round matchups might look like, see who’s leading the race for the best odds in the draft lottery and more.

There are already five NHL playoff spots clinched entering play on Thursday, and by the time tonight’s slate of games ends we could see as many as four more spots locked in as the Penguins, Lightning, Flames, and Bruins could get in.

For Pittsburgh, it is very simple: Beat the Islanders in any fashion and they officially punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 16th season in a row.

That result could also open the door for the Bruins to get in as they need a win against Ottawa and an Islanders loss to clinch. They could also get in with an overtime loss to Ottawa and an Islanders regulation loss to Pittsburgh.

Things are a little simpler for Calgary and Tampa Bay.

Calgary gets in if it can gain a single point against the Golden Knights (in a game that Vegas absolutely needs to continue its own playoff pursuit), while the Lightning can get in with a win against the Ducks. Tampa Bay can also get in with an Islanders loss to the Penguins.

ATLANTIC DIVISIONPanthers vs. Capitals Maple Leafs vs. Lightning

METROPOLITAN DIVISIONHurricanes vs. Bruins Rangers vs. Penguins

CENTRAL DIVISIONAvalanche vs. Stars Wild vs. Blues

PACIFIC DIVISIONFlames vs. Predators Oilers vs. Kings

Capitals vs. Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET Islanders vs. Penguins 7 p.m. ET Oilers vs. Predators 8 p.m. ET Wild vs. Stars 8 p.m. ET Golden Knights vs. Flames 10 p.m. ET

Panthers – clinched Maple Leafs – clinched Lightning – 100% Bruins – 100% Red Wings – eliminated