What’s at Stake in the NHL: All eyes on Red Wings vs. Penguins ‘playoff game’

Welcome to the April leg of the 2023-24 NHL regular season. At this point in the calendar, the stakes are elevated. We’re starting to see teams clinch playoff spots. Players are hitting milestones. There’s seemingly something on the line every night.

So what’s at stake during the 10-game slate of action on Thursday, April 11?

– The Toronto Maple Leafs (46-23-9) have clinched a playoff berth already but can clinch one of the three Atlantic Division seeds if (a) they beat the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning (44-27-7) lose to the Ottawa Senators or (b) the Leafs gain at least one point and the Lightning lose in regulation.

– Today in “Non-playoff games that are pretty much playoff games between Eastern Conference bubble teams,” the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-30-12) host the Detroit Red Wings (38-32-8). They both sit one point back of the Washington Capitals (37-30-11) for the last available Eastern Conference Wildcard spot.

– The Dallas Stars (50-20-9) will clinch the Central Division title with a victory over the Winnipeg Jets (48-24-6) Thursday.

– The San Jose Sharks (18-51-9) clinch last overall and the top NHL Draft Lottery odds if they lose in regulation to the Seattle Kraken Thursday.

– The Los Angeles Kings (41-26-11) will clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the Calgary Flames Thursday.