Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Kings can take over 2nd wild card in tight West race
On Tap
There are three video games on the NHL schedule Wednesday, all with playoff implications:
Vancouver Canucks at Colorado Avalanche (8:30 p.m. ET; ALT, SN, TVAS)
The Avalanche (49-14-10), the group with essentially the most factors in the NHL (108), can transfer nearer to locking up first place in the Central Division and profitable the Presidents’ Trophy with a win in opposition to the Canucks (21-44-8), who’re final in the League with 50 factors, at Ball Arena. Colorado has gained 5 of six, together with 9-2 in opposition to the Calgary Flames on Monday, once they scored 5 occasions in the primary interval and went 3-for-4 on the ability play. The Avalanche lead the Dallas Stars by eight factors in the race for first in the division and in the general NHL standings. In addition, Avalanche middle Nathan MacKinnon will attempt to hold tempo in the race for the Art Ross Trophy because the League’s main scorer. MacKinnon, who had a purpose and two assists in opposition to the Flames, is third in the League with 120 factors behind Connor McDavid (125) and Nikita Kucherov (121).
St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings (9 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, FDSNW)
The Kings (29-26-18) can bounce into the second wild card from the Western Conference earlier than going through the group they’re at present trailing by a degree, the Nashville Predators, on Thursday. They have not performed since Saturday, once they misplaced 6-2 to the Utah Mammoth, and have two wins in their final eight video games (2-3-3). The Blues (31-31-11) want a win to maintain up in the crowded Western Conference wild-card race after dropping 5-4 to the Sharks on Monday. They’re 4 factors behind the Predators with the Kings, Seattle Kraken, Sharks and Winnipeg Jets all forward of them too. St. Louis went 10-2-2 in March to get again into the playoff race however will fall additional behind with a loss in Los Angeles.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks (9 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT)
The Sharks (34-31-7) have an opportunity to take benefit of a recreation in hand and doubtlessly transfer right into a playoff place with a win in opposition to the Ducks (41-28-5), who’re first in the Pacific Division. San Jose is 2 factors behind Nashville for the second wild card and one level behind the Kings. A win in opposition to Anaheim at SAP Center coupled with a lack of any type for Los Angeles will transfer San Jose into the second wild-card place by the top of the evening. The Sharks have a recreation in hand on the Kings and two on the Predators. The Ducks can transfer nearer to clinching first in the division with a win. They’re two factors forward of the second-place Edmonton Oilers with a recreation in hand.
