As many of us know, the Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner! Hockey fans around the world are getting ready for 2 months of sheer joy. But before the playoffs begin, eight teams from both the eastern and western conference must qualify. This week I will be looking at the western conference, and the teams that have the best chance at qualifying.
Currently, six teams have secured a playoff spot in the western conference. There are only two spots remaining, and with 2-3 games left to play for every team, things are getting heated. The Jets are sitting at 7th with 96 points, the Flames at 8th with 95 points, and the Kings at 9th with 93 points. Every team sitting below the Kings are out of a playoff spot, so two of these three teams mentioned will make it to the playoffs.
It is very difficult to decide which one of these teams will qualify. Lets take a look at the Flames first. With only two games left to play against the Kings and Jets (how ironic) the Flames will be facing off against the two teams they are competing against for a playoff spot. I think that the Flames will win both of these games. Lately, both Hiller and Ramo have been performing extremely well as goaltenders. Hudler and Monahan lead the team in goals scored, and considering their aggressive playing style, they will likely give it their all against the Kings and Jets. Johnny Gaudreau has been the star of the Flames lately. He is currently leading all rookies in the league. Giordano and Wideman are also doing an excellent job on defence. With all of these players combined, we can expect the Flames to come up big against both the Kings and Jets. I also believe that they can win both games because lets face it, the Flames have been doing terrible for the past few years. They know that this is the last chance they will have until next season, and this extra drive will push them to do even better.
In regards to the Jets, I think that they will also qualify for the playoffs. They currently have two games remaining, one against the Avalanche and one against the Flames. If they beat the Avalanche, they will secure a playoff spot. Since they will be playing against the Avalanche first, this essentially secures them a playoff spot. Why, because Colorado has been doing awful lately. They are sitting near the bottom of the conference, and none of the players are motivated, because their season is basically over. The Jets are extremely eager to win, considering that they have also been doing terrible for the past few years, similar to the Flames.
The L.A Kings, in my opinion, will not have a chance at the playoffs this year, only for one simple reason. They are a very strong team, but they are not even half as eager as the Flames or Jets. Of course they want a playoff spot, but both the Flames and Jets have been dying for this opportunity for years, and the time has finally come. Both teams will play their hearts out, which is why I ultimately believe that the Jets and Flames, along with the other 6 teams that have clinched a spot will make the playoffs this season.