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The NHL Western Conference Wild Card race is heating up!
As the league continues down the stretch of the season, five teams are competing for two playoff spots. Let’s take a look at each of them and weigh their chances of finding an NHL playoff spot.
Which teams will be playing in the big dance come the end of the season?
Lets have a look at the Western Conference contenders in the NHL
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken currently sit in third place in the NHL Pacific Division. They are not entirely in contention for a Wild Card spot unless they get passed by the Edmonton Oilers down the stretch, which may still happen.
However, the Kraken have been the hottest team in the NHL in the last two weeks, putting together a six-game winning streak. The major reason for the same has been their ability to put the puck in the net. Seattle has been a warrior on the road as well, with five of their six wins coming away from home.
If the Seattle Kraken keep winning, they'll solidify their spot outside of the Wild Card. They also have the fourth easiest remaining schedule in the NHL, so we simply cannot discount them just as yet.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers were in the top three of the Pacific Division for virtually the entire season until just this week, when they were overtaken by the red-hot Seattle Kraken. That shouldn’t take anything away from Edmonton, though, who will either be in the top three in the Pacific, or in the top Wild Card spot.
Everyone knows about the Oilers, who have one of the best offenses in the NHL. It might take a while for the blue line to click together after acquiring Mattias Ekholm, but they remain a massive threat. Watch out for Nick Bjugstad as well, who could prove to be an underrated trade deadline acquisition.
The Edmonton Oilers have the eighth easiest remaining schedule. They also arguably boast a more talented team than the Seattle Kraken, giving them an edge in the battle for third spot in the Pacific Division.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were once in the top two of the Central Division, but have fallen in the last month to the second Wild Card spot. They can only blame their own inconsistency for the same. The Jets have lost eight of their last 10 games and nearly bottomed out of their season, fighting for the last Wild Card spot.
Winnipeg barely made any changes at the deadline, only acquiring Nino Niederreiter from the Nashville Predators. Will that be enough to save the Jets from completely falling out of the playoffs? Maybe, but it could also end up going south.
The Winnipeg Jets have the 14th most difficult schedule for the remainder of the season, which gives cause for optimism. However, the way they've been playing recently is unlikely to inspire too much hope.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames have enjoyed a quietly resurgent past week. After losing six of their last seven games, the Flames have been able to squeeze out two wins against two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
They have still had trouble putting the puck in the net but one player has stood out otherwise in Jacob Markstrom. Despite his side enduring defeat after defeat, the former Vezina candidate has slowly been regaining his form from last season.
If the Calgary Flames can find a way to consistently score, they could easily fill the final Wild Card spot. Calgary has the easiest remaining schedule and is just four points out of a NHL Wild Card spot.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators saw their general manager resign. They sold off every player worth anything at the NHL Trade Deadline. Nashville has also shown the intention to fully rebuild in hopes of acquiring picks and prospects for future success.
Yet, the team just keeps winning.
After the NHL Trade Deadline, the Nashville Predators have played themselves into competing for a Western Conference Wild Card spot. Will they get it? It currently hangs in the balance, but it will definitely be entertaining.
The Predators will need to make up six points and get through a schedule that is the sixth toughest in the NHL with multiple positive results.
