The Colorado Avalanche are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. Their 3-2 shootout win on Wednesday night over the Chicago Blackhawks, while heart-pounding, allowed the Avs to get closer to punching their playoff ticket for this season.
As such, the Avs can officially clinch a postseason berth on Thursday night with a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets or a loss by the Calgary Flames. The Flames will be hosting the Anaheim Ducks at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
While the Ducks are still technically alive in the Western Conference playoff hunt, the only thing that could put the Ducks in a playoff spot is a miracle. As such, the Ducks could be motivated to play the role of spoiler and beat the Flames.
As for the Flames, they’re seven points behind the St. Louis Blues for the second wildcard spot. The tremendous run the Blues have put together has them tied with the Minnesota Wild with 89 points.
That situation means the Flames are clinging on to their playoff hopes for dear life. But with a 5-4-1 record in the last 10, the Flames could be on their last legs this season.
Of course, there’s no need for any help from the Ducks. All the Avs have to do is win and they’re in. It’s as simple as that.
First-round matchup between Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars virtually inevitable
The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are essentially locked into a collision course in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
The Stars are second in the Central Division with 102 points, four behind the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot. The Avs have 96 points, seven ahead of the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues, but six behind the Stars.
That situation means that the second and third-place teams in the Central Division, the Stars and the Avalanche, are essentially locked in. Of course, things can still change. The final seedings are hardly set in stone.
But there’s little wiggle room at this point. The Stars and Avalanche are destined to collide in what should be a Conference Final series, not a first-round matchup. But then again, fate has a cruel way of making things work.
With six games to go for the Avs, it’s still mathematically possible to win the Central Division. That’s highly unlikely, but hey, stranger things have happened in this dimension. Just like the Avs could suddenly fall to a wild card spot, they could go on a crazy run, with Dallas and Winnipeg faltering down the stretch.
Regardless of the final standings, the last few games will be worth keeping an eye on.