NHL Western Conference Playoff Picture
The St. Louis Blues have been a bit under-the-radar, but are picking up steam heading into the playoffs. (Getty)
Central Division
Dallas Stars
Record: 48-23-9, Record: 105, Playoff Picture: The Stars only have two games left on the schedule and both of them are on home ice. In other words Dallas is in a pretty good spot, despite Sunday night’s 3-1 loss to the Ducks. If the season ended right now, the Stars would be facing off against the Wild in the first round of the playoffs.
St. Louis Blues
Record: 47-23-9, Points: 103, Playoff Picture: St. Louis went 2-of-3 on the ice this week, with both victories coming against the Avalanche. The Blues do have a chance to move into first in the Central, with three games left on the schedule. They also have a chance to move into third. Keep an eye on Thursday’s game against the Blackhawks. It could be a preview of an impending first round series. We’ve got our fingers crossed for that one.
Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 46-26-7, Points: 99, Playoff Picture: Breaking news. Patrick Kane is really good at playing hockey. The Blackhawks star netted a hat trick on Sunday, leading his squad to a 6-4 victory over the Bruins. So, what are the chances that Chicago could move into second in the standings in the final few days of the regular season? Possible, but also slightly unlikely. The Hawks have three games left and likely would need to win out to even consider moving up.
Nashville Predators
Record: 39-26-14, Points: 92, Playoff Picture: The Predators are currently sitting in the first Wild Card out of the West and, if the season ended right now, would get a first round series against Anaheim. This is pretty much locked in – at least the Wild Card part. Nashville has three games let and is seven points behind the Blackhawks.
Minnesota Wild
Record: 38-31-11, Points: 87, Playoff Picture: Minnesota, as a collective unit, should probably send some sort of thank you to the entire Pacific Division. The Wild are the second Wild Card in the Western Conference and no one in the Pacific is even a threat. In fact, everyone except the top three squads have been mathematically eliminated. The only threat to the Wild’s postseaon berth is Colorado; five points behind.
LIKELY NOT IN: Colorado Avalanche
ELIMINATED: Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
Record: 44-24-10, Points: 98, Playoff Picture: Welcome back to the top, Anaheim. The Ducks leapt over Los Angeles in the Pacific standings after notching a win over Dallas on Sunday night – the Kings lost to the Stars the night before. It’s not a particularly strong hold on first though and that game on Thursday, against the Kings, is going to be huge.
Los Angeles Kings
Record: 46-27-5, Points: 97, Playoff Picture: Los Angeles has won just two games since March 21 and are 5-5 in the last ten, but a top spot in the Pacific isn’t out of the question. The Kings have two games left on the schedule and one of them is a home matchup against Anaheim.
San Jose Sharks
Record: 44-29-6, Points: 94, Playoff Picture: Let’s be honest, sure, San Jose could move into first, but the odds are pretty slim on that front. The Sharks only have three games left, while both Anaheim and Los Angeles have four. There’s still some mathematic potential for movement, but don’t quite hold your breath.
ELIMINATED: Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers
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