What’s at Stake in the NHL: Playoff clinch night for Leafs and Hurricanes?

We’ve reached the eventful final stretch of the NHL season. At this point, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot or division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re here to break down exactly what you need to know between now and the end of the regular season April 17.

So what’s at stake across the five-game slate for Wednesday, April 2?

– The Carolina Hurricanes (45-24-4) will clinch a playoff spot – and a top-three position in the Metropolitan Division – if they earn a single point at home against the Washington Capitals.

– The Toronto Maple Leafs (45-25-4) will clinch a ninth consecutive playoff berth if they earn a single point in a crucial home tilt against the Florida Panthers.

– Thanks to Tuesday’s thrilling overtime victory, the Montreal Canadiens blocked a number of clinching scenarios among Atlantic Division teams. Even though the Panthers and Lightning each have a magic number of 1, their clinching will depend on Montreal’s Thursday result. Even if the Panthers (44-26-4) win tonight, they won’t clinch.

– The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin buried career goal No. 891 Tuesday, moving him within three of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record and within four of beating it. Ovechkin should be excited to draw the Hurricanes on the schedule tonight; he’s faced them more than he has any other team, scoring 51 times in 91 games.