The Boston Bruins can officially take their place in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday night.
Here is what needs to be done for the B’s to secure a spot based on tonight’s action:
If any of the above scenarios play out Thursday, the Bruins would tie the 1998–99 Dallas Stars as the second-fastest team to clinch a playoff spot (63 games) during an 82-game season. The record stands at 59 games played by the Detroit Red Wings from 1995-1996.
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A total of 17 teams have clinched a playoff spot in fewer than 70 games on an 82-game schedule first introduced in the 1995–96 season.
The Bruins, of course, come in quickly, even if it doesn’t happen on Thursday night. Boston is on track to break the NHL records for most points (132) and wins (62) by a team in a regular season. Barring an epic collapse in the last 20 games, the B’s will win the Presidents’ Trophy for the third time since 2013.
For context, when the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning won the Presidents’ Trophy and tied a league record with 62 wins, they clinched a playoff spot on March 8. They had played 68 games. The Bruins will play their 63rd game on Thursday-evening.
A win for the Bruins on Thursday night would also make them the fastest team to 50 wins. The current record is 50 wins in 66 games achieved by the Red Wings 1995-96 and Lightning 2018-19.