The Race is On For Two Spots in The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs are only three weeks away now and five teams are vying for two spots in the wide-open Western Conference.

The 2021-22 NHL regular season is winding down with three weeks left to go. All eyes will be on the Western Conference and to see which teams make it to the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There was a little pause in the season because of COVID and made up during the Olympic Break. For the last couple of months, everything in the Eastern Conference has been pretty much locked up. Although, the Washington Capitals did make things interesting by allowing the New York Islanders to come within seven points of the final wild-card spot. However, the Islanders could not take advantage of the Capitals losing streak and lost games they should not have. The final weeks will determine where these teams finish in their respective divisions and what the matchups once the playoffs start.

The Western Conference Playoff Race is a little more interesting. As nothing is settled and will probably come down to the final week of the regular season. Five teams are battling for the final two spots in the wild Western Conference playoff race. The Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars hold the two wild-card spots as of now, but the Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and even the Winnipeg Jets (though starting to diminish quickly) all have a shot to pass them. Let’s see who makes the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Which Team Gets The Final Spots in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

As previously mentioned, everything is pretty much locked up in the East outside the seedings in the Atlantic and Metro Divisions. The Colorado Avalanche are the only team to have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, the Calgary Flames are not too far behind from clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After that, it is all about seeding. In the Central Division, it appears the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild are on collision course. In the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings continue to battle it out over who will have home ice in the first round.

After that, it is anybody’s guess. The Stars and Predators each control their own destinies as they each have a game in hand on the rest of the teams battling it out for the final wild-card spots in the Western Conference. It is so wide open, but if one were to guess, the Stars and Predators get the final two wild card spots in the West. But anything is possible.

So with that out of the way, let’s take a look at teams vying for the final spots in the Western Conference.

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Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are sitting in the catbird’s seat so to speak. They currently have 86 points with two games in hand on the rest of the competition in the West. The key for Nashville will be winning those games. Many people figured Nashville would take a step back this year and miss the playoffs. John Hynes has this group competing for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. The Predators have the ability to make a deep run because of Roman Josi and Jusse Saros. However, they will need more. Nashville is getting offence from Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg and others. If that can continue Nashville will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs. At one point the Predators were competing for one of the top three spots in the Central, but that has faded away. All Nashville has to do is win and they are in. If there was one lock to take it would be the Predators making the playoffs.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They were in a similar situation last year, but this team the Stars control their own destiny as they have a game in hand on the Golden Knights. Dallas has underachieved all the season. It seems like every season, the Stars top players in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn always need a kick in the pants. Dallas had a tough loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. A win there would have kept them two points up on Vegas. Jake Ottinger and Braden Holtby are doing all they can in between the pipes. Joe Pavelski, Jason Roberston, and Roope Hintz are delivering offensively. On the backend, having John Klingberg back has settled down the defence. If the Stars find a way to get in they are a very dangerous team.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have been such a disappointment this season. Nobody expected them to be in this position, where they could miss the playoffs. But injuries and poor cap management have put the Golden Knights in this position. Not to mention keeping the wrong goaltender. Robin Lehner is a good goalie, but he is not a true number one like Marc-Andre Fleury was. Jack Eichel is doing all he can do to get the Golden Knights to the playoffs. But this team desperately needs Mark Stone back. Yes, players like Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson are stepping up, but they need more. Especially from a guy like Max Pacioretty. Vegas trails the Stars by two points in the standings. The Stars and Golden Knights play once more in the final week of the regular, that game could determine who is in and who is out. There is still an outside shot the Golden Knights can pass the Los Angeles Kings for third in the Pacific Divsion.

Vancouver Canucks 

Bruce Boudreau has his team four points out with nine games to play. The Vancouver Canucks are on fire right now winning four-straight games. They are doing this without Brock Boeser in the lineup. However, J.T. Miller continues to will this team towards the playoffs. Thatcher Demko is back to playing like “Bubble Demko from 2020,” and the Canucks believe in what Coach Boudreau is telling them. It would truly be a miracle if the Canucks make the playoffs, but why not considering the year it has been in the NHL. It will definitely be tough for the Canucks to climb past two teams, but with two big games coming up over the next two weeks against Vegas and Dallas, who knows. If the Canucks win those games, they are right in it.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have the lowest probability of making the playoffs. Not to say it can’t be done especially when they have a game in hand on Vegas and Vancouver, the problem is Dallas and Nashville have a game on Winnipeg. Not to mention, the Jets are seven points out with 10 games to play and have lost some games they should not have lost. For example, last week, their loss to the Detroit Red Wings, was not a good loss. The Jets needed that game and they did not get a win. With the Jets on a four-game losing, the next loss could seal their fate. Winnipeg was in it right until the end, but something was missing this year. Plus not having Kyle Connor for a couple of games definitely hurt this Jets offence.

So much can happen from now until then. Though the Kings are not a team listed, the injuries they are dealing with could derail what was a great season that nobody expected. However, many feel they will hang on. It will be an interesting last three weeks as the push to the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs is on.