Golden Knights hanging on, Canucks seem done in West playoff race

We are starting to get some clarity in the Western Conference playoff race where the Vegas Golden Knights are hanging on by a thread, while the Vancouver Canucks probably saw their last shred of optimism slip away on Wednesday night.

Let’s take a look at where things stand heading into Thursday night’s action.

By points percentage the Dallas Stars occupy the second wild card spot in the west and are on a 97-point pace. Figure that is the magic number to reach.

Colorado, Calgary, Minnesota, St. Louis, Nashville

Consider all five of them locks right now. Colorado has the best record in the league and probably already has the top spot in the Western Conference set. Calgary has also opened up a pretty solid lead in the Pacific Division, while Minnesota, St. Louis, and Nashville have all given themselves pretty substantial cushions. Every one of those teams is currently on a 100-point pace (or better) right now.

Los Angeles, Edmonton

The Kings and Oilers seem be pretty set with the No. 2 and 3 spots in the Pacific Division, while only one team (Vegas) would seem to have a realistic chance of catching them. And even that seems like a stretch. Right now the Oilers and Kings are both on pace for around 98 points this season and have pretty strong leads over the one team (Vegas) that could realistically catch them for one of those spots.

Vegas would need to get 20 out of a possible 26 remaining points to reach 98 points for the season, while only having one head-to-head game (against Edmonton) with either of those two teams remaining.

If the Kings and Oilers can simply play .500 hockey the rest of the way they almost certainly get in.

Dallas, Vegas, Winnipeg

It is likely that only one of these teams gets in the playoffs, though