BRUINS CLINCHING SCENARIO IF THEY DEFEAT THE RED WINGS IN REGULATION:
The Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Red Wings in regulation AND either of the following occurs:
(1) The Islanders lose to the Capitals in any fashion
(2) The Senators lose to the Canucks in regulation
---
BRUINS CLINCHING SCENARIO IF THEY DEFEAT THE RED WINGS IN OVERTIME OR SHOOTOUT:
The Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Red Wings in overtime or shootout AND either of the following occurs:
(1) The Islanders lose to the Capitals in regulation
(2) The Senators lose to the Canucks in regulation
The earliest a team has ever clinched was the 1978-79 New York Islanders, who did it with 25 games remaining. However, 12 of 17 teams made the playoffs that season.