The Mavericks would hold the dubious distinction of losing 3 first round series while holding the top 2 playoff seeds.

The Islanders played well enough in his absence to clinch the eighth and final playoff seed in the conference.

They won the division again with a 56-26 record and acquired the No. 3 playoff seed.

Before this season, the three division winners were awarded the top three playoff seeds in each conference, regardless of final records.

Subsequently, the Lions lost their last four regular season games and backed into the 6th playoff seed.

However, starting in the 2007 playoffs, being a division-leading team did not guarantee a top 3 playoff seed.

The Packers and Texans are locked into their playoff seeds, so they can't be trusted.

Going into the game though, both teams found themselves locked into their respective playoff seeds.

The Oilers captured the 8th and final playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Clinched playoff seeds are marked in parentheses and shaded in green.