Penguins, Lightning clinch spots in 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The back-to-back reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning clinched a spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, as did the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 16th straight year.
Tampa Bay beat the Anaheim Ducks in overtime Thursday, 4-3, with a game-winner from Anthony Cirelli.
Pittsburgh earned its spot in the playoffs by beating the New York Islanders, 6-3. The Penguins' run of postseason appearances is the longest active streak in North American sports and now tied for ninth all-time in NHL history. The team would need another 14 straight years in the playoffs to topple the Boston Bruins' streak of 29 straight playoff appearances between 1968 and 1996.
The top three teams from each division advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs along with two wild cards from each conference. The Lightning are currently third in the Atlantic Division and just three points ahead of the Bruins, but can no longer be caught by the Islanders in the wild-card race.
The Penguins are third in the Metropolitan Division, five points ahead of the Washington Capitals, and also climbed out of reach of the Islanders.
While only two spots are left in the Eastern Conference, only the Colorado Avalanche have a secured a playoff berth in the Western Conference. The Calgary Flames could clinch Thursday night with a win against the Vegas Golden Knights.
More must-reads: