Wednesday, March 27, 2019

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PRIMER


WESTERN CONFERENCE
There are 11 days remaining in the NHL regular season, and the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference remains wide open. The Colorado Avalanche hold the final playoff spot in the West, while the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators have clinched postseason berths. 
HERE IS WHERE THE WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PICTURE STANDS TODAY:
CALGARY FLAMES (47-22-7)
Where they stand: 101 points; first in Pacific Division; clinched playoff berth
Games remaining: six (three home; three road)
Key games: at San Jose Sharks, Sunday
If playoffs started today: Would play the Colorado Avalanche in first round 
Next game: vs. Dallas Stars, Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; SN1, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
SAN JOSE SHARKS (43-24-9)
Where they stand: 95 points; second in Pacific Division; clinched playoff berth
Games remaining: six (four home; two road)
Key games: vs. Calgary Flames, Sunday
If playoffs started today: Would play the Vegas Golden Knights in first round
Next game: vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET: ESPN+, NBCSCA+, NCBSCH, NHL.TV)
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (42-28-6)
Where they stand: 90 points; third in Pacific Division
Games remaining:  six (three home, six road)
Key games: at Sharks, Saturday; vs. Arizona Coyotes, April 4
If playoffs started today: Would play the Sharks in first round 
Next game: at Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN)
WINNIPEG JETS (45-27-4)
Where they stand: 94 points; first in Central Division; clinched playoff berth
Games remaining: six (two home, four road)
Key games: at Minnesota Wild, April 2; at Colorado Avalanche, April 4 
If playoffs started today: Would play the Stars in first round 
Next game: vs. New York Islanders, Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, TSN3, MSG+, NHL.TV)
NASHVILLE PREDATORS (43-28-6)
Where they stand: 92 points; second in Central Division, clinched playoff berth
Games remaining: five (three home, two road)
Key games: vs. Chicago Blackhawks, April 6
If playoffs started today: Would play the Blues in first round 
Next game: at Pittsburgh Penguins, Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, FS-TN, NHL.TV)
ST. LOUIS BLUES (41-27-8)
Where they stand: 90 points; third in Central Division
Games remaining: six (three home, three road)
Key games:  vs. Colorado Avalanche, Monday; at Chicago Blackhawks, April 3
If playoffs started today: Would play the Predators in first round
Next game: at New York Rangers, Friday (7 p.m. ET; MSG, FS-MW+, NHL.TV)
DALLAS STARS (39-31-6)
Where they stand:  84 points; first wild card from Western Conference
Games remaining: six (two home; four road)
Key games: vs. Wild, April 6
If playoffs started today: Would play Jets in first round 
Next game: at Flames, Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; SN1, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
COLORADO AVALANCHE (34-29-13)
Where they stand: 81 points; second wild card from Western Conference  
Games remaining: six (four home, two road)
Key games: vs. Arizona Coyotes, Friday; at Blues, Sunday
If playoffs started today: Would play Flames in first round 
Next game: vs. Golden Knights, Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN)
ARIZONA COYOTES (37-33-7)
Where they stand: 81 points; tied for second wild card 
Games remaining: five (three home; two road)
Key games: at Avalanche, Friday; vs. Minnesota Wild, Sunday 
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify   
Next game: vs. Avalanche, Friday (9 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ALT2, FS-A PLUS, NHL.TV)
MINNESOTA WILD (35-33-9)
Where they stand: 79 points; two points out of second wild card 
Games remaining: five (two home; three road)
Key games: at Arizona Coyotes, Sunday; at Stars, April 6
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify  
Next game: at Golden Knights, Friday, (10 p.m. ET;  ESPN+. ATTSN-RM, FS-N+)
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (33-33-10)
Where they stand: 76 points; five points out of second wild card 
Games remaining: six (three home; three road)
Key games: vs. Blues, April 3
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Next game:  at Sharks, Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, NBCSCA, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
EDMONTON OILERS (34-34-8)
Where they stand: 76 points; five points out of second wild card 
Games remaining: six (three home; three road)
Key games:  vs. Stars, Thursday; at Flames, April 6
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Next game: vs. Stars, Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, FS-WS+, NHL.TV) 
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (32-35-10)
Where they stand: 74 points; seven points out of second wild card 
Games remaining: five (three home; two road)
Key games: vs. Stars, Saturday
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Next game: vs. Los Angeles Kings, Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, FS-W, NHL.TV)

The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks have been eliminated from playoff contention in the Western Conference.


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