Predators, Kings clinch playoff spots with Stars' SO win over Golden Knights
The Western Conference playoff picture has come down to one last spot.
The Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings punched their postseason tickets Tuesday with the Dallas Stars' shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Miro Heiskanen netted the only goal of the shootout in the seventh round.
The Stars would've locked up the final spot had they defeated the Knights in regulation. Dallas is now four points ahead of Vegas with just two games remaining, but the Golden Knights hold the tiebreaker. The Stars can clinch Wednesday if they pick up a point against the Arizona Coyotes or if Vegas loses to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Kings secured third place in the Pacific Division and will play the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1. It's the first time since 2017-18 that L.A. has made the playoffs, and six players remain from that squad: Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Iafallo.
The Predators have now made the postseason in eight consecutive campaigns. They'll either play the Colorado Avalanche or Calgary Flames in the opening round.
Additionally, the Vancouver Canucks were officially eliminated from playoff contention.