April is here! That means the NHL regular season is wrapping up and the race to the post-season action and the aim of winning the Stanley Cup has begun.
Currently a total of 13 teams have qualified into the NHL playoffs and 5 teams are waiting to secure the wild card slots available in both the Eastern and Western conference.
The Western Conference have three teams fighting for two wildcard spots. Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues and the local favorite Calgary Flames.
Designed using Canva. Data from https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm
According to moneypuck.com, NHL playoff odds calculator, has the Calgary Flames improving to 13.6% for a chance to making it into the playoffs after a dominating win against the Wild by a score of 4-2 on April 11th (Friday) and the Sharks by 5-2 on April 13th (Sunday).
As it stands St. Louis Blues (88.9%) and Minnesota Wild (97.5%) are the favorites to secure the Wild card spot compared to the Flames. However, Calgary Flames having a game in-hand and with some interesting scenarios, explained below, can possibly clinch a spot but require help from the out of town scoreboard teams playing.
On Tuesday (April 15th), Calgary Flames can avoid elimination if:
- Minnesota Wild loses in regulation against the Anaheim Ducks
- St. Louis loses in regulation OR wins in over-time against the Utah Hockey Club
- Calgary Flames needs a point in over-time OR a regulation win (depending on the results above) – Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960.
This is the simplified scenario of the likeliness of the Calgary Flames making into the playoffs this season. The common consensus between Flames fans is that they will be cheering for Anaheim Ducks and Utah Hockey club win.
https://x.com/Fan960Steinberg/status/1911615059911901607
Designed using Canva. Background picture from Newsfile Graphics (O: Drive)
As the post-season is slowly concluding, teams nearing their framework of 82 games played, hockey fans have a reasonable ideas of the potential matchups that will be a factor for the post-season. This bracket is based on the updated standings as of April 14th (Monday)
- Jets (C1) v. Blues (WC2): The WC2 position is not solidified as Flames are still in the conversation.
- Stars (C2) v. Avalanche (C3)
- Knights (P1) v. Wild (WC1): The WC1 is not confirmed as there is a possibility for either the Flames/Wild/Blues to claim it based on the result on Tuesday’s game.
- Kings (P2) v. Oilers (P3)
The race is officially on for the two teams looking to be in the post-season conversation.
Designed using Canva. Data from: https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm
The Eastern Conference on the other hand has two teams competing for the only one spot open, being the Wild card #2. It is the race between the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The NHL playoff odds calculator has Montreal Canadiens (96.4)% has the favorites likely claiming the Wc2 slot however the Columbus Blue Jackets (3.6%) are still in the conversation with two games left to play but need two wins. And they would need to look for two loses from Montreal to get to 89 points.
Unlike the Western conference there is no complex math involved and scenarios as WC1 spot has been confirmed by the Ottawa Senators.
Designed using Canva. Background picture Newsfile Graphics (O: Drive)
A quick look at the bracket based on the standings on April 14th (Monday).
- Leafs (A1) v. Senators (WC1): Battle of the Ontario
- Lightning (A2) v. Panthers (A3)
- Capitals (M1) v. Canadiens (WC2): Pending to see the Columbus Blue Jacket scenario
- Hurricanes (M2) v. Devils (M3)
Thursday (April 17th) is the final day of NHL regular season action, by then there will be confirmation of teams that have made the playoffs, confirmed all remaining matchups.
Comments