NHL issues statement: Canucks as close as it gets to the playoffs

Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks are set to play the eighth game of their nine-game homestand and will take on the Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars in what should be an intense contest with playoff intensity.

According to the National Hockey League, there are three ways the Vancouver Canucks can clinch a spot in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight. Let's have a look:

- If the Vancouver Canucks defeat the Dallas Stars in any fashion.

OR

- If the Vancouver Canucks get one point against the Dallas Stars AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion.

OR

- If the Minnesota Wild lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Calgary Flames in regulation.

It's been a long road for the Canucks to get to this point after not being in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2020. In the years since, the growth of players like Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko has been incredible to watch and having J.T. Miller at the top of his game, along with the depth this team has, it should propel them deep into the playoffs this spring.

Vancouver Canucks fans and the organization have waited four long years for this opportunity and may be only hours away from the team officially having an 'x' beside their name in the standings and punching their ticket to the playoffs. Puck drop for tonight's game against the Dallas Stars is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET on Sportsnet Pacific.