As the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw nearer, the playoff landscape is becoming increasingly defined.
This Wednesday could see two more teams secure their postseason participation.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are each on the cusp of playoff qualification, needing only a single point to guarantee their spots.
However, achieving this might be challenging for both teams.
Toronto is currently entangled in a tight three-way contest for the Atlantic Division leadership with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
The Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Panthers on Wednesday. This game is crucial as it could either solidify Toronto`s playoff entry and extend their lead over Florida to four points with seven games remaining, or it could see them remain un-clinched and potentially tied for the division lead again.
Meanwhile, Carolina seems firmly positioned second in the Metropolitan Division. With 94 points from 73 games, they trail the Washington Capitals, who lead the division, by a significant 11 points but are comfortably ahead of the New Jersey Devils in third place by seven points with three games in hand.
The Hurricanes will play against the Capitals on Wednesday night. They simply need to push the game to overtime to lock in their playoff position.
Washington is currently the only Eastern Conference team that has already clinched a playoff berth, while in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights have also secured their places in the playoffs.
Tristan Blackwood