Panthers goalie Anthony Stolarz speaks after Florida's 4-1 win in Philadelphia on March 24 The Florida Panthers can officially clinch a playoff spot Tuesday night with a win over the Bruins and some help. If the Panthers beat the Bruins in any way (regulation or ot/shootout) they can clinch a playoff spot tonight with a Red Wings loss to the Capitals, a Flyers loss in regulation or a third scenario that sees both the Flyers lose to the Rangers in either overtime or a shootout AND the Capitals losing to the Red Wings in regulation. There is also a 4th scenario that requires Florida to get one point against Boston and the Detroit to lose to Washington in regulation. Basically, if the Panthers win tonight there are multiple playoff clinching paths. While a playoff berth is a near 100% certainty for the Panthers at this point and this is just a formality, it will be relieving for both the team and fans to have this box checked off this early in the process. Last year this was not accomplished until April 11th, with just one game remaining in the regular season, so a lot less drama this time around when it comes to securing an official playoff spot. There is a still the race for the number spot in both the Atlantic division and the Eastern Conference to worry about [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/a-look-at-the-week-ahead-in-the-race-for-the-number-1-seed-in-the-eastern-conference], but as the Panthers proved last year anyone who gets in the dance has a shot and the Panthers can officially secure their playoff spot tonight with a win and some help. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Battle for first: Panthers, Bruins meet in Sunrise tied atop Atlantic Division [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/battle-for-first-panthers-bruins-meet-in-sunrise-tied-atop-atlantic-division] Panthers sign Minnesota-Duluth star Ben Steeves to two-year ELC [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-sign-minnesota-duluth-star-ben-steeves-to-two-year-elc] A look at the week ahead in the race for the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/a-look-at-the-week-ahead-in-the-race-for-the-number-1-seed-in-the-eastern-conference] Reinhart and Hyman both hit the 50 goal mark for the first time in their careers Sunday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/reinhart-and-hyman-both-hit-the-50-goal-mark-for-the-first-time-in-their-careers-on-sunday-] 'It's such an elite class': Sam Reinhart joins Pavel Bure as only Florida Panthers to score 50 goals in a season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/its-such-an-elite-class-sam-reinhart-joins-pavel-bure-as-only-florida-panthers-to-score-50-goals-in-a-season]
