The Race is On For Final Wild Card Spots in The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs are a little over a week away now and six teams vying for the final wild card spots in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The 2022-23 NHL regular season is winding down with a little over a week left to go. Approximately four to five games depending on the team. All eyes are on the teams battling for the final spots in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. You have seen here on Full Press Hockey our daily Stanley Cup Playoff races and how tight it really is.

It was back to a normal season for once after a couple of years of COVID. In the Eastern Conference, it’s three teams for two spots as the Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, and Pittsburgh Penguins continue to battle until the final days of the regular season.

Over in the Western Conference, the Seattle Kraken are inching closer to clinching a playoff spot as they have firm control of wild card one. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets are holding on for their playoff lives fending off the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators for the final wild-card spot in the West.

The final games of the regular season will determine who gets in and who is going home just the way the NHL intended. Let’s see who makes the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Which Team Gets The Final Spots in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

We already have six teams in each conference making the playoffs. Outside of the Atlantic Division, things are not settled in the Central, Metro, and Pacific. In the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars are playing a game of leap frog. It is anybody’s guess who will finish with the top spot. Many are leaning towards Colorado. Over in the Pacific, the Edmonton Oilers only trail the Vegas Golden Knights by one point after passing the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific. The Oilers are getting hot at the right time and could lead to a Vegas-Los Angeles first-round matchup.

In the Metro Division, the Carolina Hurricanes lead the New Jersey Devils by three points for the top spot with a game in hand. Meanwhile, the Devils lead the New York Rangers by three points. So it is almost certain Devils-Rangers will play in the first round.

And while these races are compelling, the wild card races are where it is at. In each conference, there is a team that controls its own destiny to make the playoffs. However, that does not mean it will happen. But nothing is a given in the NHL even when it should be a given.

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Eastern Conference Wild Card Race

Florida Panthers

After the loss to the Philadelphia Flyers about two weeks ago, many thought that would be the end of the line for the Panthers. That loss was going to keep them out of the playoffs. Except they are back from the dead, like the Undertaker from WWE. Thanks to the play of Alex Lyon aka the Lion King, who has single-handedly kept the Panthers in this race with the injuries and illness to Florida’s other goalies. In addition, Matthew Tkachuk is doing what was expected of him when the team traded for him in the summer. It will come down to the wire for the Panthers, but right now looking pretty good.

New York Islanders

Then there are the New York Islanders. The Islanders had a chance to lock this thing up but again not getting enough goal-scoring cost them their chance. Though still sitting in a good position with the tiebreaker over the Penguins. Having Ilya Sorokin is great. So is knowing how to play playoff hockey, but they have to get there. Bo Horvat has gone cold. Mathew Barzal is not in the lineup. Getting goals from Kyle Palmieri, Zach Parise, and others are not going to get it done. But if the Islanders figure out a way to get in they are going to be a tough out.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Then there is Pittsburgh. They brought the band back together for another run at the Stanley Cup, but this team is older. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Jake Gueztnel can only carry this team so far. Goaltending has been an issue for this team and so has inconsistent play. Just when you think the Penguins have turned a corner, they have stretches like they are currently going through with a record 4-6 over their last 10 games. If they do not make the playoffs changes could be coming.

Western Conference Wild Card Race

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets were having a fantastic season. Winnipeg was top three in the Central for the longest time up until the trade deadline. Inconsistent play from their top players has this team fighting to just make the playoffs. Now even with the loss to Calgary on Wednesday night in what was a play-in game, the Jets still occupy the final wild-card spot. But Winnipeg had a chance to shut the door on Calgary’s playoff chances and did not do it. Not enough from Mark Scheifele, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Blake Wheeler. Kyle Connor is scoring again but it could be too little too late. When this team is rolling they are dangerous.

Calgary Flames

Calgary still has some hope. Jacob Markstrom is playing like the guy who we saw last year before he ran into the Edmonton Oilers. Jonathan Huberdeau stepped up his game as well. However, Calgary does not control its own destiny. They needed to win against Chicago and did not do it. Instead of being two points up on Winnipeg, they are tied and with no games in hand. Consistency was an issue for the Flames all season. You never thought they could pull it out. They still might, but it will be hard.

Nashville Predators

Somehow the Nashville Predators are still kicking around. Sellers at the trade deadline with two games in hand on Calgary and a game in hand on Winnipeg, the Predators still have a shot at the final wild-card spot. Again Winnipeg could not put either the Flames or Predators away. Juuse Saros is playing well and carrying this Preds team. Without Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg in the lineup, Thomas Novak has been leading the way offensively. Nashville has a tough stretch but anything is possible.

The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Monday, April 17th. The final games of the season are must-watch. Let’s see who claims the final spots.