Before the puck even dropped in the Tampa Bay Lightning's game against the Boston Bruins tonight, the Lightning clinched a playoff berth for the ninth straight season. That figure is tied for the longest active streak in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, per Benjamin Pierce.
The Lightning clinched their spot in the playoffs due to the New York Rangers' 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings earlier this afternoon.
The Lightning still have a lot to play for in their final seven games of the season, as the seeding in the Eastern Conference remains up for grabs. Their biggest fight at the moment is against the Buffalo Sabres, who also secured a trip to the playoffs, their first since 2011. Although, the Montreal Canadiens and even the Boston Bruins are hot on their tails as they look to enter the fight for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
As things currently stand, the Lightning sit second in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind the Carolina Hurricanes. The Presidents' Trophy is very unlikely at this stage though, as the Lightning are 10 points back of the Avalanche.