LATEST | NHL issues a statement regarding the Canucks

Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks have a massive opportunity ahead of themselves and can become the first team in the National Hockey League to clinch a berth in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In a post on their website, the NHL shared clinching scenarios for tonight and how the Canucks can put an 'x' beside their name in the standings:

- The Vancouver Canucks defeat the Los Angeles Kings in any fashion AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in any fashion.

OR

- The Vancouver Canucks get one point against Los Angeles Kings AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in regulation.

There are several reasons why the Vancouver Canucks have been this successful so far this season. Starting with off the ice, Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford did an excellent job to put this roster together and adding depth pieces which have worked out quite well. A full season under Rick Tocchet has also done the Canucks wonders and he certainly will be one of the three finalists for the Jack Adam's Award.

On the ice, the production of players like J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, among others have put the Canucks in this position. Three of the top-15 players in points in the NHL are members of the Vancouver Canucks (Miller, Pettersson, Hughes), which is more than any other team.

In between the pipes, Thatcher Demko has been lights out, sporting a record of 34-13-2 through 49 games, along with a 2.47 goals against average, a .917 save percentage and five shutouts.

Puck drop for tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and can be viewed nationally across Canada on Sportsnet.