As the NHL regular season ends and playoffs approach, the Edmonton Oilers are in a tight race for the top seed in the North Division. With only a few games left, the Oilers look to secure their position at the top of the leaderboard tonight. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets eagerly await their playoff opponent. In this article, we’ll discuss how the Oilers can grab that top spot and what the Jets need to prepare for in the first round of the playoffs.
The NHL regular season is nearing its end, and the last night will feature 15 games that will finalize most, if not all, of the playoff picture by Thursday. Although the 16-team field has been determined, the seeding status is still up in the air, and here is a preview of all the games that have playoff implications.
The Hurricanes will take on the Panthers for a Metropolitan Division title, which could become the team’s third consecutive division crown with a win. On the other hand, the Panthers are looking to take over the New York Islanders’ wildcard spot to avoid facing the Boston Bruins.
The Devils, who are currently one point behind the Hurricanes for the top spot in the Metro, also still have a shot for the division crown. They’ll need the Hurricanes to lose if they do overtake Carolina and prevent a highly anticipated New Jersey-New York Rangers first-round series.
The Jets have locked themselves into the final wildcard spot and are facing the Colorado Avalanche, who have a shot at the Central Division’s first place. The Dallas Stars are currently one point ahead of the Avalanche, and if they do win out, it might guarantee a division title.
The Stars will face the Blues, and if they beat them, they will put the pressure on the Avalanche, who’ll need to defeat the Kings to secure the division title.
One of the night’s most crucial games involves the Edmonton Oilers, who need a win against the Sharks to take the top seed in the Western Conference and Pacific Division title. If the Oilers accomplish this, it would mean a first-round victory over Winnipeg. And if the Oilers fail to win, they will face the Los Angeles Kings or Kraken in the first round, with the Jets clashing with the Golden Knights in a rematch of the 2018 West Finals.
Finally, the Kings and the Kraken will take on the Ducks and the Golden Knights, respectively, where the Kings need one point to guarantee third place in the Pacific Division and a first-round affair with either Vegas or Edmonton. The Golden Knights need one point to have a shot at the top seed in the West, while the Kraken will hope the Kings lose to secure third in the Pacific.
As tonight’s matchups unfold, Oilers fans will be glued to their screens, hoping for a top seed finish for their team. While the road to the playoffs may be tough, there is no doubt that the Oilers have what it takes to compete with the best. On the other side of the coin, Jets fans will be eagerly waiting to find out who their opponents will be, preparing themselves for the tough matchups that are to come. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure, the playoffs are sure to be filled with intense moments, nail-biting finishes and unforgettable performances. Let the games begin!
