What’s at Stake in the NHL: Grab your popcorn for Avalanche vs. Oilers

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 six-game slate of action on Friday, April 5?

– After whiffing on their last attempt two days ago, Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers (45-24-5) will attempt to clinch a playoff spot again tonight in a grab-your-popcorn tilt against Nathan MacKinnon’s Colorado Avalanche. Edmonton can clinch with a victory. If they get one or zero points, their clinching scenario will depend on the Minnesota Wild’s and St. Louis Blues’ results Saturday.

– The Toronto Maple Leafs’ (43-23-9) magic number sits at 1 for a third consecutive day. They have 11 different clinching scenarios over the next two days, four of which can play out tonight. They are: (a) The Detroit Red Wings lose to the New York Rangers in regulation, and the Washington Capitals lose to the Carolina Hurricanes; (b) The Red Wings lose in regulation and the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Buffalo Sabres; (c) The Capitals lose in regulation and the Flyers lose to the Sabres; and (d) The Red Wings and Capitals both lose in overtime or a shootout and the Flyers lose to the Sabres.

– The Tampa Bay Lightning (43-26-7) clinch a playoff spot Friday if the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers all lose in regulation.

– The Ottawa Senators (33-38-4) could become the ninth team eliminated from playoff contention in 2023-24. It’s all over if (a) the Red Wings win or lose in overtime or a shootout, (b) the Flyers and Capitals win or (c) the Flyers win and the Capitals lose in overtime or a shootout.

– Reminder: a three-assist effort vs. Colorado Friday would give Connor McDavid 100 for the year, making him the fourth player ever to do so after Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.