Clinching scenarios: Canadiens, Lightning, Rangers need Ducks to beat Bruins

Three Eastern Conference teams can clinch playoff spots Thursday, but only if the Anaheim Ducks handle the Boston Bruins.

The Montreal Canadiens, who enter Thursday with a league-leading 100 points, only need to gain one more point to guarantee a postseason berth if Boston loses in regulation. Montreal will clinch a spot with victory over the Winnipeg Jets even if the Bruins defeat the Ducks in a shootout.

The Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers need a victory over the Ottawa Senators combined with a Ducks victory over Boston to clinch. If the Rangers earn a point against Ottawa, they can still clinch with an Anaheim victory in regulation.

The Tampa Bay Lightning face a virtually identical scenario to the Rangers heading into their game against the Nashville Predators. The Lightning are in a slightly better position to clinch a spot thanks to their 44 wins in regulation or overtime, which Boston cannot catch.

The Ducks defeated the Bruins 3-2 when the teams met at Anaheim in December.