<p>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.</p>



<p>So what’s at stake during the 13-game slate of action on Saturday, April 13?</p>



<p>– Important news in the Eastern Conference bubble-team race: The New York Islanders (37-27-15) can lock up the third Metro Division playoff spot if they beat the Rangers, the Washington Capitals lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburgh Penguins lose to the Boston Bruins in regulation. That would leave just one Wildcard spot left for Washington, Pittsburgh, the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers to fight for.</p>



<p>– The Dallas Stars (50-21-9) will clinch the Central Division title with a win over the Seattle Kraken. That would also lock the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche into a first-round matchup.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="156"></div>



<p>– Will the Philadelphia Flyers (37-21-11) bow out of the playoff race in Game 81 of their season? They will be eliminated if (a) they lose to the New Jersey Devils and the Penguins beat the Bruins or (b) the Flyers lose in regulation and the Penguins collect at least one point.</p>



<p>– The Florida Panthers (50-24-6) will clinch home ice in the first round if (a) they get one or more points against the Sabres or (b) the Toronto Maple Leafs lose to the Red Wings.</p>



<p>– The Leafs (46-24-9) will officially beat out Tampa for one of the three Atlantic playoff spots with (a) a win over Detroit or (b) one point against Detroit coupled with Tampa losing to Washington.</p>



<p>– Even though the Eastern Wildcard race is incredibly tight, there are quietly four scenarios that would eliminate the Red Wings (38-32-9) on Saturday. They are: (a) Detroit loses in regulation, Philadelphia and Washington win in regulation and Pittsburgh wins outright; (b) Detroit loses in regulation, Philadelphia and Washington win in regulation and Pittsburgh gets at least one point; (c) Detroit loses in regulation, Philadelphia and Washington win in regulation and the Islanders win; and (d) Detroit loses in regulation, Philadelphia and Washington win in regulation and the Islanders get at least one point. So, uh, don’t lose in regulation if you want to stay alive, Red Wings.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="230"></div>



<p>– The Boston Bruins (46-18-15) will clinch the Atlantic Division title if they beat the Penguins and the Panthers lose to the Sabres in regulation.</p>



<p>– The Bolts’ Nikita Kucherov needs two assists to reach 100 on the season. If the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (lower-body) plays Saturday, he’ll do so one shy of 1000. The pair could become the fourth and fifth players ever to hit the milestone in a season.</p>



<p>– The Leafs’ Auston Matthews needs two goals to become the first NHLer to score 70 goals in a season since Teemu Selanne and Alex Mogilny had 76 apiece in 1992-93.</p>



<p>– The Vancouver Canucks (48-22-9) and Edmonton Oilers (48-24-6) go head to head with crucial Pacific Division title implications, but no result between them Saturday will result in either team clinching the crown.<br><br>– The Chicago Blackhawks stayed alive in the “race” for the top <a href="https://publish.dailyfaceoff.com/2024-nhl-draft-lottery-odds-which-teams-have-the-best-chance-to-select-macklin-celebrini/">2024 NHL Draft Lottery odds</a> by losing Friday, but the San Jose Sharks (19-51-9) still control their destiny. Lose in regulation to the Minnesota Wild Saturday and the Sharks clinch last overall.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="179"></div>



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