Can the Nashville Predators be eliminated today from the NHL playoffs?
The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in less than one week and there are still three open spots up for grabs. Here's what needs to happen on April 13.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in less than one week and there are still three open spots up for grabs. In the Eastern Conference, three teams are still alive for the third place in the Metropolitan Division (M3). In the Western Conference, third place in the Pacific (P3) and the final wild-card spot (WC2) are still open.
All three spots, plus a few seeding clinching scenarios, can be claimed based on results on April 13. Here are clinching scenarios in the NHL tonight, beginning with the final wild-card spot: Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles (34-26-19, 87 points) hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Kings can clinch the WC2 spot if: They defeat Seattle in any fashion AND San Jose defeats Nashville in regulation Nashville Predators Nashville (38-32-10, 86 points) is one point behind Los Angeles for the final wild card.
The Predators cannot clinch the playoffs tonight. They can be eliminated with a regulation loss to the Sharks AND a Kings victory over the Kraken. Carolina Hurricanes Carolina (52-22-6, 110 points) are in first place in the Metro Division.
The Hurricanes can clinch the Eastern Conference title, locking up the No. 1 overall seed, if: They get at least one point vs. Philadelphia OR Chicago defeats Buffalo in any fashion If this happens, Montreal and Tampa will lock in as A2 and A3 in the first round.