Morning Coffee: NHL Western Conference playoff race heats up

With 19 days to go before the NHL trade deadline, the Western Conference playoff race is heating up.

The Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets all won last night.

The Ducks are the only team from that group that was a money line underdog.

As of this morning, No. 4 through No. 12 in the Western Conference standings are separated by a total of just eight points.

That group includes three Canadian teams that will all be in the spotlight ahead of TradeCentre on March 21.

Here’s the TSN EDGE Morning Coffee for Wednesday March 2, 2022.

NHL Western Conference playoff race heats up

NHL favourites went 7-2 straight up last night, improving to 10-2 SU overall since Monday.

Six of those seven favourites covered the puck line.

The Flames (-130), Oilers (-165), and Jets (-235) were all among those winning favourites.

With back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Wild, Calgary is now five points up on the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division.

"This is kind of like a mini playoff series and we didn't want to split them." Jacob Markstrom talks about winning the home-and-home set against the Wild. pic.twitter.com/EX3I6PsQjN

As of this morning, the Flames are -550 to win their division, followed by the Golden Knights at +500, then the Kings and Oilers at +1600.

Mikko Koskinen turned aside all 39 shots he faced as Edmonton rolled to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Connor McDavid registered a goal and an assist.

Most multi-point road games - Player's first 7 career NHL seasons: 177- Wayne Gretzky 120- Mario Lemieux 113- Peter Stastny 112- Dale Hawerchuk 106- Mike Bossy 94- Bryan Trottier 92- Connor McDavid (Via 1G-1A in a 3-0 @EdmontonOilers win over the Flyers