Clinching scenarios: 5 teams can book playoff spots Thursday

A handful of teams can clinch playoff spots on a busy Thursday night in the NHL.

The Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings can all secure postseason berths if a variety of scenarios go their way.

The Flames can clinch a Western Conference playoff spot if they defeat the Los Angeles Kings in any fashion.

The Jets are in if they defeat the Colorado Avalanche in any fashion, or if they get one point against the Avalanche and the Kings lose to the Flames in any fashion. Winnipeg will also clinch if the Kings lose to the Flames in regulation.

Boston will secure a berth if they defeat the Florida Panthers in any fashion and the Ottawa Senators lose in regulation to the New York Rangers.

The Islanders do not play Thursday, but they can still clinch if either the Senators or Bruins lose in any fashion.

Detroit can book a playoff spot if they beat the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion, or if they get a single point against the Canadiens and either the Senators lose in any fashion or the Bruins lose in regulation, or if Ottawa loses in regulation.

Meanwhile, a trio of playoff-bound teams still have plenty to play for.

The Anaheim Ducks will clinch the top seed in the Western Conference if the St. Louis Blues lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation and the Nashville Predators lose to the Minnesota Wild in any fashion.

The Canadiens can clinch the Atlantic Division title if they beat the Red Wings in any fashion and the Tampa Bay Lightning lose to the New Jersey Devils in any fashion. Montreal can also lock up the division if they get one point against Detroit and the Lightning lose in regulation. 

The Blues will claim the Central Division title if they defeat the Blackhawks in any fashion and the Predators lose in regulation.

Got that?