What’s at Stake in the NHL: Nathan MacKinnon chasing Avalanche single-season scoring record

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 four-game slate of action on Sunday, April 14?

– The New York Rangers (54-23-4) will clinch the Metropolitan Division title if the Carolina Hurricanes (51-22-7) lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation on Sunday.

– While the Dallas Stars clinched the Central title Saturday, the Atlantic and Pacific Divisions cannot be decided based on Sunday’s results.

– The Colorado Avalanche (49-25-6) are already locked into a first-round matchup with the Winnipeg Jets (50-24-6). If the Avalanche lose to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, the Jets clinch home ice for the series with the Avs.

– If the Golden Knights (43-28-8) lose to the Avalanche in regulation, the Nashville Predators (47-29-5) will clinch the first Western Conference Wildcard seed, leaving Vegas and the Los Angeles Kings (43-26-11) to battle for the third Pacific seed and the second Western Conference Wildcard position.

– Nathan MacKinnon is taking a serious run at the Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques single-season scoring record. He sits at 137 points. He needs two to tie Peter Stastny’s franchise mark of 139 and would become the team’s first 140-point scorer with three points Sunday.