Predators clinch playoff spot with Avalanche loss

After the Nashville Predators, stuck on 91 points, wasted a trio of chances to punch their ticket into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this week, the Presidents' Trophy champions stepped up and did it for them.

Nashville has officially qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season and ninth time in franchise history as a result of the Washington Capitals' 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

The rest of the night's results will contribute to the Predators likely finishing where they currently stand, slotted in the Western Conference's first wild-card position. The Chicago Blackhawks won, tightening their grip on the third postseason seed in the Central while the Minnesota Wild lost in Detroit, keeping them four points back with just three games left.

The Predators have four games left on the schedule before likely opening second-season play against the Pacific Division winner.

Colorado remains alive, despite the loss, but missed its opportunity to close to within three points of the final wild-card spot.