2 Central Division NHL teams finally clinch a playoff berth

The Western Conference has been a tad bit behind the Eastern Conference this season. However, they have been catching up lately and that should be a scary thought for everyone. Some truly great teams play in that conference.

Going into Monday, only three teams in the West had secured postseason spots and they all come from the Pacific Division. The Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and Edmonton Oilers all punched their tickets to the postseason.

On Monday night, however, two Central Division powers joined them. The Minnesota Wild lost to the Vegas Golden Knights but they picked up a point for going to the shootout. That earned them a clinched spot.

The Dallas Stars, on the other hand, took two points with a big win over the Nashville Predators. Like the Wild, that earned them a spot in the playoffs that are set to begin in just a few weeks here.

The Central Division has some really good teams entering the playoffs.

There is still a lot for these two to be playing for now that they have an “x” next to their names. Seeding is really important in this conference and division particularly.

The top spot in the Central is still on the line. Earning that honor will give you a division title, a home playoff series to start the dance, and an easier matchup.

The “easier matchup” for anyone is avoiding the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. They had a slow start to the year which is why they haven’t run away with the division but they are going to be a very tough out.

Colorado could still win the division as well but they are running out of time. They will need to act fast if they want it. In that case, the Wild and Stars would just face off against each other in the first round.

How did each team get here? Well, the Dallas Stars get it done with an elite goaltender, a balanced offensive attack led by one superstar, and a very solid defense.

As for the Minnesota Wild, Kirill Kaprizov has been injured for a little while now. Leading into his injury, he had been one of the best players in the NHL once again. Seeing him go down made a lot of people worried about this team.

Since then, however, they have rallied around the fact that they don’t have him. They have gotten it done as a team which is really nice to see.

If everyone plays like they have been when he is inserted back in, they could be a dominant force. With the good goaltending and defense that they’ve also had, this is an elite team in the West.

The Central Division’s first two clinched teams should both still be worried about the Colorado Avalanche hanging around but you have to beat the best to be the best. It should be so much fun watching them all in the postseason.