Coyotes clinch playoff spot with Stars' loss

Published Apr. 5, 2012 9:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

The WhiteOut is returning to Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes clinched a playoff spot Thursday for the third consecutive season when Dallas lost to Nashville, eliminating the Stars from playoff contention.

This marks the first time that the Coyotes have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in three or more consecutive seasons since the team clinched a playoff berth in its first four seasons in the Valley (1996-97 to 1999-2000). The Coyotes (40-27-13, 93 points) also have won at least 40 games for the third consecutive season, marking the first time in franchise history that the team has recorded three consecutive seasons with 40-plus wins.

The Coyotes are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference with two games remaining and could finish the regular season in third, seventh or eighth place. The complete first-round playoff schedule will be released by the NHL at 10 a.m. Arizona time Sunday.

Single-game tickets for home games during the first round of the playoffs are now on sale, with prices starting at $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 480-563-PUCK or visit www.PhoenixCoyotes.com.