Idle Hurricanes Can Clinch Seventh Consecutive Playoff Berth Tonight
Jan 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) celebrates with teammates after he scores the game winning goal during the overtime period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. (Matt Marton-Imagn Images)The Carolina Hurricanes can clinch a seventh consecutive playoff appearance tonight, and you know what the best part is? They don't even have to do anything.
The Canes don't have a game tonight, but if either the Columbus Blue Jackets or Montreal Canadiens lose their games in any fashion, then the Canes clinch a spot in the 2025 NHL Playoffs.
Carolina is currently sitting at 94 points and the only teams that mathematically still have a chance of catching them to force them out of playoff position are the Blue Jackets and Canadiens who both can max out at 95 points.
If either team fails to get the maximum amount of points in any of their remaining games, then they can't catch the Hurricanes as the Canes have more regulation wins (the first tie breaker) than either team is capable of achieving.
So all the Hurricanes need is for at least one of them to lose tonight to secure their spot.
The Blue Jackets are hosting the Nashville Predators tonight at 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcasted in FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and South.
The Canadiens are hosting the Florida Panthers tonight at 7 p.m. EST as well and the game will be broadcasted on TSN2, RDS and SCRIPPS.
If both teams win tonight though, then the Hurricanes can earn the spot themselves when they take on the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
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