How Avalanche, Lightning can clinch playoff spots on Thursday
Two recent Stanley Cup champions are almost back in the dance. The Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning can each clinch playoff spots when they hit the ice on Thursday.
Two recent Stanley Cup champions are almost back in the dance.
The Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning can each clinch playoff spots when they hit the ice on Thursday.
Tampa Bay, which won the Cup in 2020 and 2021, can book its spot in the 2025 post-season with a win over the Ottawa Senators.
Failing that, there are two other scenarios at play for the Lighting: they can get in with one point and either a Canadiens loss to the Bruins or a Blue Jackets loss to the Avalanche.
Tampa Bay can also get in if the Canadiens and Blue Jackets both lose in regulation.
Colorado, which denied Tampa Bay a three-peat in 2022, also has three scenarios to reach the playoffs.
The simplest way in for the Avalanche is to beat the Blue Jackets, but they can also cement their playoff berth with one point and any Flames loss to the Ducks. A Calgary regulation loss against Anaheim would also send Colorado through.
