NHL: Thomas Vanek and Michael Grabner set for playoff entry

Thomas Vanek and Michael Grabner are in the NHL play-off, Michael Raffl also has a good chance. Vanek and the Columbus Blue Jackets were promoted on Thursday despite a 5-4 defeat by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Grabner and the New Jersey Devils won 2-1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Raffl and the Philadelphia Flyers have entered the play-off, which starts next Wednesday, after a 4-3 home win over Carolina Hurricanes.

Coach Dave Hakstol’s side will take one point in the final match of Saturday’s qualifying round at home to New York Rangers to claim the last of the eight Eastern Conference promotion spots. If they lose in regular time, they could be overtaken by the Florida Panthers, who still have two games to play. Raffl scored his twelfth goal of the season on Thursday to equal the score 1:1 (15.).

Columbus lost a lead four times against the defending champion from Pittsburgh, but he scored one point to get rid of all his worries. Vanek, who prepared the 3-2 by Boone Jenner with a wonderful pass (27th), is back in the play-off for the first time in three years.

New Jersey have had their first play-off in six years since Thursday. Pavel Zacha (28th) and Miles Wood (38th) ensured the Devils’ victory in the middle third. Grabner and Co. celebrated their seventh victory in the last eight games.