NHL makes announcement on tonight's Oilers vs Ducks game

It's no surprise the Oilers will be clinching a spot in the playoffs, but this has been a down year overall, and now they'll start the playoffs on the road as well.

The NHL has set out the Oilers clinch scenario involving tonight's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Oilers will need to get a win on the road tonight, but also will need the Calgary Flames to lose against the San Jose Sharks.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, they may have to wait a while longer for their official playoff berth. The San Jose Sharks aren't too likely to beat the Flames, and even the Oilers against the Anaheim Ducks may be a closer matchup than anyone likes.

The Oilers will be missing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm, and more players with injury - and they're also expected to give rookie goalie Olivier Rodrigue his first NHL career start. There's enough variables to perhaps swing the tide toward an upset for Anaheim.

Edmonton will be safely in third place of the Pacific Division until the end of the season with an 8 point lead on Calgary, but they'll definitely want to keep pace and still rack up wins in the final stretch of the season.

At the moment, the Oilers are most likely going to face the Los Angeles Kings in round one - but there's still a chance the Kings move into first place, and the Oilers draw the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.

For the final stretch of the season, the Oilers first priority needs to be getting their star players healthy, and clicking before the playoffs begin.