The Winnipeg Jets have the opportunity to become the first Canadian team to secure a place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and can achieve this without even taking to the ice.
While the Jets are scheduled to rest on Saturday before their home game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, they could clinch a playoff berth based on results elsewhere.
Specifically, if the St. Louis Blues lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in any manner and the Vancouver Canucks suffer a regulation loss to the New York Rangers, the Jets will officially qualify for the playoffs.
This would make the Jets only the second team in the entire league and the first in the Western Conference to guarantee their playoff participation.
The Washington Capitals were the first team to clinch a playoff spot earlier in the week. Winnipeg and Washington are currently the only teams to have reached 100 points in the standings and are competing for the Presidents` Trophy.
Historically, the Jets have never been awarded the Presidents` Trophy, which is given to the team finishing the regular season with the most points.
