The NHL Western Wild-Card Race is heating up as teams battle for a spot in the postseason bracket. The Minnesota Wild are comfortably holding the first wild-card spot, but the race for the second spot is tight, with the Vancouver Canucks currently in the lead. The Canucks have 73 points and 24 regulation wins, closely followed by the Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues.
Canucks Take the Lead
The Vancouver Canucks, with 73 points and 24 regulation wins, are currently holding onto the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They face a tough road ahead, with eight of their final 15 games against playoff teams. Despite the challenges, statistical analysis from Stathletes gives the Canucks the best playoff chances among the contenders, with a 31.1% likelihood of making it to the postseason.
Blues and Flames in the Mix
The Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues are also in contention for the final wild-card spot in the West. Both teams are just behind the Canucks in points, with 71 and 23 regulation wins each. The Flames have a slightly tougher schedule ahead, playing against teams in playoff positions in nine of their final 17 contests. On the other hand, the Blues will face fewer playoff teams in their final stretch, with only four of their last 14 games against postseason contenders.
The Utah Hockey Club, another team in the mix, faces a challenging road ahead with seven of their remaining 15 games against current playoff-positioned clubs. While the odds may seem stacked against them, upsets are always possible in the unpredictable world of sports.
As we approach the final day of the regular season on April 17, the race for the Western wild-card spot promises to be intense. With the potential of facing the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the playoffs, the stakes are high for all the teams vying for that coveted postseason berth.
While the playoff picture is still taking shape, fans can stay updated on all the NHL action with the playoff watch. From current playoff matchups to the race for the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery, there’s plenty of excitement in store for hockey enthusiasts as the season progresses.
In Sunday’s games, fans can look forward to matchups like the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Detroit Red Wings, the Dallas Stars facing the Colorado Avalanche, and the Edmonton Oilers playing the New York Rangers. With each game carrying implications for the playoff race, every goal and save could make a difference in determining the final standings.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the regular season, the NHL Western Wild-Card Race is sure to deliver plenty of thrills and surprises. Stay tuned for more updates as the battle for postseason glory unfolds.
