The Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars all punched their tickets to the playoffs during a busy Thursday night.
The Stars secured their spot by beating the Vancouver Canucks 3-1, marking their third straight playoff berth. Captain Jamie Benn played the hero with a late power-play goal.
Dallas made it all the way to the conference finals last spring but was dispatched by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Once again one of the Central's top squads, the Stars lead their division with a 46-19-9 record. They are just the second team to eclipse the 100-point mark this season.
The Canucks would have clinched their first playoff appearance since 2020 if they prevailed over the Stars.
The Bruins weren't in action, but they clinched their spot thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers' 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Beantown has now qualified for the postseason for eight straight campaigns, but it hasn't advanced past the first round since 2021. Last spring, the Florida Panthers upset the Bruins in the opening round after Boston set all-time records in wins (65) and points (135) in the regular season.
The Bruins were expected to take a step back in 2023-24 following the offseason retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, but they occupy the top spot in the Atlantic Division with a 42-17-15 record.
The Panthers lost their game to the New York Islanders 3-2 on Thursday, but they'll return to the postseason for the fifth straight year thanks to the Hurricanes' 4-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
Florida stunned the hockey world last season by reaching the Stanley Cup Final, though it fell to the Golden Knights in five games.
The Panthers carried that momentum into this season. They sit second in the Atlantic Division with a 46-22-5 record and are just two points behind the Bruins in first with one game in hand.
Head coach Paul Maurice didn't answer any questions about the Panthers clinching a playoff spot, as he was less than pleased with their effort against the Islanders.
"Today is free quote f-----g day," he said postgame, according to Florida Hockey Now's Colby Guy. "Take whatever you think I might say and use it. I won't b---- about it."
The loss was Florida's sixth in its last seven games.
The Hurricanes handled their business with a convincing victory over Detroit, securing their sixth consecutive playoff berth. They're in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a 46-21-7 record.
Carolina made the conference finals last spring but was swept by the Panthers. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour's squad has advanced to at least the second round in each of the last three seasons.
Each of the Hurricanes' losses to Florida came by one goal. In an effort to avoid the same fate, Carolina acquired one of the biggest fish at the trade deadline in Jake Guentzel.
The New York Rangers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot Tuesday.
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