Stanley Cup Playoffs: Top 5 Canadian teams that will make the postseason
Western Conference
All four Western Canadian NHL playoff teams are currently right in the hunt. The Flames & Oilers currently hold the second and third slot in the Pacific, with the Canucks holding onto the first wildcard spot, and the Jets tied with the Predators for the second.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers currently sit second overall in the Pacific Division, with 78 points. They sit only two points back of Vegas for the division lead, and they actually have a game in hand on them. The Oilers have had a pretty decent season, especially considering the season they had last year.
In their first 20 games, the Oilers went 12-8-0, which, is pretty impressive if you ask me. Their two main stars in McDavid and Draisaitl have been on full display all year, which is what you need from your big guns. I mean, have you seen them? They have amazing skills on the ice, which makes it entertaining for anyone to watch.
Their second 20 games saw the Oilers go 7-13-0, which is a stark contrast from the previous games. Since that stretch, however, they’ve gone 15-12-0. Draisaitl currently sits at 107 points on the year, 13 ahead of McDavid who sits at 94. If McDavid wasn’t injured for a chunk of the year though, who knows what kind of numbers he would have put up.
There is a slight chance that Draisaitl could come out of the season with both the Art Ross AND the Rocket Richard. His four-goal performance against the Nashville Predators put him right into the conversation with Ovechkin, Matthews, and Pastrnak.
The Oilers are likely to face the Calgary Flames in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Which, would be an amazing series. If all of the matchups this year are any indicator, it will be a fun fight in the Battle of Alberta. It’s just a matter of who gets home-ice advantage.
Playoff Chances: Highly Likely
Likely Playoff Opponent: Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
If I had to choose a team that wasn’t the Toronto Maple Leafs, I would choose the Flames. Calgary currently sits at third in the Pacific, three points back of Edmonton. However, the Oilers do have a game in hand. I’m not surprised the Flames are in the playoff race. They’re a solid team, with some really solid players.
In the first 20 games of the year, Calgary went 10-10-0. So, pretty mediocre. It wasn’t too good but it wasn’t too bad either. The second 20 games saw the Flames go 10-10-0. Again, mediocre. This second stretch, however, was filled with a bad losing streak, followed by a great winning streak, which really boosted their place in the standings.
After that, well, interesting stretch? 14-13-0. Their highest point totals have come from Gaudreau, Tkachuk, and Lindholm. So, again, a team where the main stars have the highest points. That’s how it should be.
The Flames have not been without their share of turbulence though. They were one of the many teams who fired their head coach this year with Bill Peters resigning, and interim head coach Geoff Ward stepping in – at least until season’s end.
Playoff Chances: Highly Likely
Likely Opponent: Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks hold onto one of the two Western Conference wildcard spots. They hold that spot by two points over both Nashville and Winnipeg. The Canucks are another team that has unexpectedly fought its way into the playoff race and it has been an exciting season to watch them.
In their 12 games, they went 8-4-0. November saw more of a decline, as the team went 5-10-0. December brought better luck with an 8-5-0 record. January brought their most solid month of the season with 8-3-0, and February followed with a 5-8-0.
Their last game against the Blue Jackets was also a loss, and the team looks to bounce back if they want any shot at keeping their wildcard place. Vancouver’s leading scorers come from J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson, with Quinn Hughes having one of the most amazing rookie seasons that I’ve seen. It’d be a shame if he isn’t seriously considered for the Calder.
Playoff Chances: Likely
Likely Opponent: St. Louis Blues or Vegas Golden Knights
The Canucks are in the first wildcard spot, meaning they’ll face the Western team with the higher point total. That just happens to be the St. Louis Blues. If they drop to the second spot, they’ll face the Vegas Golden Knights. Both series would be fun to watch, though I personally believe Vancouver is a better matchup for Vegas than it is for STL.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are tied with Nashville for the second wildcard position. However, the Jets have played two more games than both the Canucks and Predators. So, this fourth Canadian NHL club will have a little bit more difficult time climbing into that spot in the playoffs.
Winnipeg has had, well, an interesting season. The whole Dustin Byfuglien situation has defined their season. However, let’s take a look at their season on the ice.
7-6-0 is how the Jets started. November was amazing for them, as the team went 10-4-0. December followed the same record as October. January was rough. The team went 3-9-0 to start 2020 and followed that up with 8-6-0 in February.
This Winnipeg Jets team has been led in scoring by Scheifele and Connor, with Laine not too far behind the both of them.
Playoff Chances: Possible
Likely Opponent: St. Louis Blues or Vegas Golden Knights