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NHL playoff race: What's at stake on Wednesday


A relatively quiet night Wednesday in the NHL. Just one team can clinch a spot:

Anaheim Ducks

They'll guarantee themselves the best record in the Western Conference if they beat the Dallas Stars in regulation or overtime.

Also Wednesday

Tuesday's action dropped the Boston Bruins to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, though they have three games left in the season.

They could move into the third seed in the East with a victory against the Washington Capitals. The Bruins need to win two of their last three games to land another trip to the postseason.

The Capitals, meanwhile, are trying to sew up home-ice advantage in the first round. They're one point up on the New York Islanders, who have two games left. Washington has shut out Boston 2-0 and 4-0 this season.

The McDavid-Eichel sweepstakes

All's quiet. The Arizona Coyotes play Thursday, and a win would hand 30th place to the Buffalo Sabres.

Scoring race

Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Dallas' Jamie Benn (each with 80 points) are in action. They're three points behind co-leaders John Tavares and Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin leads the league in goals, so he'll win the scoring title if he finishes tied in points.

Tonight's games

Toronto at Columbus, 7:30

Boston at Washington, 8

Dallas at Anaheim, 10:30

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