With exactly two weeks left in the regular season, the race for the eight playoff spots has almost sorted itself out completely.
In the Western Conference, the playoff contenders are virtually settled; only the first round matchups remain in question.
San Jose and Chicago continue jockeying for first place in the West, with Phoenix having an outside shot to grab the Pacific Division crown and one of the top two seeds if San Jose falters.
Vancouver is set as the third seed, while Nashville, Detroit, and Los Angeles all play musical chairs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh positions. Colorado sits in the last playoff berth, six points ahead of Calgary.
With eight games remaining, the magic number for the Avalanche to clinch the final spot in the NHL’s second season is any combination of five Colorado wins or Calgary losses. The Flame’s remaining schedule includes games against the Capitals plus all four top teams in the West, so their demise seems all but assured.
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Article written by Jonathan Weiss