NHL Push for the Playoffs: Golden Knights’ playoff path requires wins, lots of help

Push for the Playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2021-22 NHL season. We’ll highlight the current playoff picture in both conferences, take a look at what the first-round matchups might look like, see who’s leading the race for the best odds in the draft lottery and more.

Well, business just picked up didn’t it?

Tuesday’s NHL slate of games was building up to be an interesting one with not only the Western Conference Wild Card race but also the battle for the top of the Metropolitan Division between the Hurricanes and Rangers. But the Vegas Golden Knights added even more drama to their season on Sunday by giving up a late game-tying goal and then losing in the shootout to the San Jose Sharks? Bring on the fun!

First, let’s set the scene for tonight out West.

Here are the remaining schedules:

Predators: vs. CGY / @ COL / @ ARZStars: vs. VGK / vs. ARZ / vs. ANAGolden Knights: @ DAL / @ CHI / @ STL

To sum up the Dallas-Vegas game, a regulation win for the Stars would not only clinch a playoff spot but also knock the Golden Knights out of contention. A loser point for Peter DeBoer’s men keeps them in contention for another day. Nashville can clinch with a regulation win in any of their three games. A single point for the Kings in their final two games would get them in.

Vegas, well, they just need regulation wins and for the Stars and Predators to have a very bad next four days.

“We’ll get back on the saddle and try to get this group energized for Tuesday night in Dallas,” Mark Stone said after Sunday’s loss. “Because if we lose that one …You guys know what happens if we lose that one.”

If you’re Vegas, you’ve dug yourself into this hole and destiny is no longer in your hands. The Golden Knights need help