Jets, Panthers Qualify for Playoffs; One Spot Still Undecided

Good morning and happy Wednesday, April 12th.

Thank you to our readers who participated in yesterday’s poll. 🙏

If it’s up to the Hockey Recap fam, Claude Giroux will just barely get voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as 53% of yesterday’s voters say he’s HOF-worthy.

The Winnipeg Jets claimed the final playoff spot in the Western Conference Tuesday night and felt as if they very much earned it.

The Jets’ 3-1 win against the Minnesota Wild was their third consecutive win and fifth in their last six games. They talked post-game like a group that dug in and got the job done.

They will face either the Edmonton Oilers or Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round.

A Pittsburgh Penguins’ Tuesday loss to Chicago gave the Florida Panthers one of the wild-card berths in the Eastern Conference. That means the only question remaining about the NHL playoff picture is whether the New York Islanders or Pittsburgh Penguins grab the final spot in the Eastern Conference.

If the Islanders earn one point in their game against the Montreal Canadiens tonight, they qualify.

Meanwhile, the Jets are heading to the postseason for the sixth time since returning to the city in 2011.

At various points this season, the Jets didn’t perform like a playoff team. The Jets started the season like one of the NHL’s elite teams, but sputtered in January. They lost nine of 11 at one point.

But they pulled their game together down the stretch, finishing with seven wins in their last 10 games. They were 0-3 against Minnesota this season before beating the Wild Wednesday. The Jets were outscored 14-4 in those losses.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves against the Wild and his consistency was critical to the Jets making the playoffs. He started 13 games in a row.

🏆 Boston Bruins beat Capitals 5-2 to set NHL single season point record with 133 points. After setting the NHL’s single season wins record Sunday night, the B’s wanted more. Brad Marchand opened the scoring, burying a David Pastrnak feed for his 21st of the year, snapping a 17-game goalless drought, while collecting two assists. Tyler Bertuzzi, Tomas Nosek (GWG), Garnet Hathaway, and Jake DeBrusk each scored as the Bruins continue their domination of the National League. Boston has won seven straight as they enter their final regular season game tomorrow night against Montreal.

😈 Devils eliminate Sabres from playoff contention while securing home ice in 6-2 win. Tomas Tatar scored twice and added an assist, Jesper Boqvist, Jonas Siegenthaler, Miles Wood (GWG), and Jack Hughes each chipped in a goal (setting a new franchise single season point record), and Vitek Vanecek made 36 saves as the Devils tied the franchise record of 51 wins set in 2008-09. Plus, their 110 points are one behind the record of 111 set in 2000-01. They end the regular season at the Washington Capitals on Thursday, sitting one point back from first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Who is the New Jersey Devils all-time points leader? Bonus: who is second?

• Penguins' playoff streak in jeopardy after loss to Blackhawks

• Woll makes 46 saves, Maple Leafs beat Lightning in playoff preview

• Hurricanes defeat Red Wings, keep pace in Metropolitan race

• Oilers outlast Avalanche, extend win streak to eight with West's top seed in sight

• Flyers snap seven-game skid with OT win over Blue Jackets

• Pettersson surpasses 100 points, Canucks hand Ducks 12th straight loss

• Josh Morrissey's journey to stardom fueled by influence of his father

• Coyotes and Kings to play NHL Global Series in Australia

• Flames' Coronato to make NHL debut Wednesday, Wolf a possibility to join team

• BU goalie Commesso gets 3-year deal from Blackhawks

• ☝️ Matthew Knies picks up 1st NHL point as shot squeaks through & O’Reilly tips it home

• 💯 Elias Pettersson with cross-ice dish to Boeser for point 100

• 🥊 Two fights, including Reaves vs. Lowry, erupt in final minute of Jets vs. Wild

• 🍎 Quinn Hughes with beautiful stretch pass to Kuzmenko for breakaway goal

• 👋 Charlie Lindgren out here making saves without a glove

• Chalk talk: 3-on-2 transition game with Pens coach Mike Sullivan

• NHL shooting coach Tim Turk working with Moncton Wildcats on catch and release and getting into stride formation shot technique

TRIVIA ANSWER

With 1,025 points in a New Jersey Devils uniform, Patrik Elias is the Devils all-time points leader. Second place is held by John MacLean with 701 points.