Playoff Outlook: Avs Clinch

04/05/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Avalanche Use MacKinnon’s OT Winner to Clinch Playoff Spot, But Wild Card Races Get Interesting

It’s crunch time! The Stanley Cup Playoffs are just two weeks away, and we officially have 12 of the 16 playoff teams after last night. The Avalanche punched their postseason ticket thanks to a two-goal outing from Nathan MacKinnon that included the overtime winner to beat the Sharks (4-3, OT). And as Colorado joins the postseason party, only the chaotic Wild Card spots have yet to be determined. The top three from each division (12 total) know they’re going to the playoffs, but nine other teams are still vying for the remaining four Wild Card bids.

East Wild Card: The Panthers clinched a crucial win over the Sabres last night (2-1) to gain the top Wild Card spot while the Penguins and Senators suffered losses.

West Wild Card: The Kraken and Predators were big winners while the Flames were struck down by the Blackhawks in a critical blow to their playoff odds.

NHL Playoff Race Highlights

Avalanche def. Sharks (4-3, OT)

Kraken def. Canucks (5-2)

Blackhawks def. Flames (4-3)

Predators def. Golden Knights (3-2)

Devils def. Penguins (5-1)

Panthers def. Sabres (2-1)

Stanley Cup Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division

1. Hurricanes (109 pts)*

2. Devils (106 pts)*