As the NHL’s regular season enters its final month, the playoff races are reaching fever pitch. In the Western Conference Wild Card race, the St. Louis Blues are making waves, having climbed to the second spot with 81 points from 72 games, thanks to a six-game winning streak. This puts them four points ahead of the Calgary Flames and five ahead of the Vancouver Canucks.
The Blues’ recent success can be attributed to key performances from team members like Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, and Robert Thomas, who have collectively contributed to the team’s goal tally. Goalkeeper Joel Hofer has also been a crucial player, contributing to half of the team’s wins in their current streak and allowing just one goal each time.
But the Blues aren’t alone in their pursuit of playoff glory. The Flames have secured three consecutive wins, while the Canucks have managed three wins in their last eight games. However, the Blues will not face either the Flames or Canucks for the remainder of the season, which could impact the dynamics of the race.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild are leading the Western wild-card race with 85 points from 70 games. They are hot on the heels of the Colorado Avalanche, who hold the third playoff spot in the Central Division with 89 points from 71 games. The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are leading the Central Division race with 100 and 92 points respectively.
In the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and Edmonton Oilers occupy the top three spots, with the Flames lagging 10 points behind the Oilers.
Switching to the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens hold the second and final Wild Card spot, with several teams within six points. The Ottawa Senators, who are on the brink of ending a seven-year playoff drought, currently occupy the top Wild Card spot with 79 points from 69 games. The Canadiens, who last made the playoffs during their unexpected run to the Stanley Cup final in 2021, are followed closely by the New York Rangers.
The Florida Panthers, current Stanley Cup champions, maintain their lead in the Atlantic Division, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators are just six points behind the Lightning.
In the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals are leading the pack, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, all seemingly destined for the postseason.
As the regular season winds down, these playoffs races are sure to provide thrilling hockey action. Stay tuned to see who will secure their spots in the quest for the Stanley Cup.