More news of two teams with the possibility of clinching a spot in the playoffs comes out of the Western Conference with the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings. So far there are only 11 spots left in the playoffs, and in the West only the St. Louis Blues and the Canucks have clinched.
The Nashville Predators will be given a spot tonight, even though they are not set to play tonight. Their achievement of a playoff gig is contingent upon if both the San Jose Sharks and the LA Kings lose in their respective games tonight in regulation time. If the Preds are given the spot after tonight, it will be the third season in a row that they are given a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Detroit Red Wings are also relying on the defeat of the Sharks and the Kings to get their nod into the playoffs. Like the Preds, the rival teams must lose in regulation for the Red Wings to get the spot. However, the Red Wings also play tonight so they have to also win in their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They also are given another opportunity to clinch tonight, if they can get at least one point in their game. The Red Wings are almost always in the playoffs, and this season would be their 21st consecutive season of being a Stanley Cup contender.
There are only 13 more days left in the regulation season, so hockey is about to get intense. Things are coming down to the wire. So prepare for some fierce battles and some sweet Playoff Beards.
