Panthers and Jets clinch spots in Stanley Cup playoffs

The Florida Panthers have officially clinched the first-place Wild Card position. The Panthers lost in overtime on Monday to the Toronto Maple Leafs, earning themselves an extra point in the playoff race. Still, they solidified their playoff contention after the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 3-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks in a heartbreaking loss ending the Penguins’ 17-year playoff streak. 

Following the loss, the Panthers now sit at 92 points and are two points ahead of the Penguins, who only have one more game left on their schedule. The last Wild Card position currently belongs to the New York Islanders, who also have one game left in their schedule. The Panthers now possess a record of 42-31-8 and will look to add to that win column when they play the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday. 

Meanwhile, on the Western front, the Winnipeg Jets have officially clinched the playoffs after securing second place Wild Card spot following a massive 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.

The Jets have had a remarkable season under new head coach Rick Bowness who took the bench position at the start of the season. Connor Hellebuyck has played lights out, posting a record of 37-25-2 while allowing 2.52 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Defenseman Josh Morrissey has taken the league by storm, notching a career-high 76 points (16 goals, 60 assists) in 78 games. Among all Jets skaters, he trials just Kyle Connor in the points column. Mark Scheifele scored his 42nd goal of the season tonight to open the scoring for the Jets, this is the first 40-goal season of his career, and he leads all Jets skaters in the goals department. 

The Jets now sit comfy in that final playoff spot following their win over the Wild and the Flames’ loss to the Nashville Predators Monday night. The Jets next play Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche.