There is a lot at stake in the 14-game slate of NHL action on Thursday.
Despite being idle, the Edmonton Oilers can become the second Canadian team to clinch a playoff spot if they get some results to break their way.
The Oilers will officially in the post-season if the Anaheim Ducks defeat the San Jose Sharks in any fashion and the Utah Mammoth defeat the Nashville Predators in regulation, combined with any result in the Winnipeg-St. Louis game other than a Jets regulation win.
Over in Utah, the Mammoth can clinch their post-season spot if they beat the Predators in regulation and the Ducks defeat the Sharks in any fashion.
If the Mammoth clinch, it would mark the first playoff appearance for the team since it relocated to Utah.
Over in the East, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have three different ways to secure their return to the post-season.
The easiest way for the Penguins to clinch is if they defeat the New Jersey Devils in any fashion on Thursday. They can also clinch if they get one point against the Devils and the Buffalo Sabres defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in any fashion, or if the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion and the Sabres defeat the Blue Jackets in regulation.
The Boston Bruins, who are also idle, are the last team that can book its post-season ticket on Thursday. Boston will clinch if the Maple Leafs defeat the Islanders in regulation, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Detroit Red Wings in regulation, and the Sabres knock off the Blue Jackets in regulation.
Finally, the Colorado Avalanche have three chances on Thursday to secure home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs by winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Avs will lock up the league’s best overall record if they defeat the Calgary Flames in any fashion.
If they don’t secure a victory against the Flames, they can also win the Presidents’ Trophy if they get one point against the Flames and the Chicago Blackhawks defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion, or if the Blackhawks beat the Hurricanes in regulation.