The 2023 Wildcard Standings Thread

[TrueBlue4ever]

11 hours ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Not sure about that. A  win on Monday gives them 93 and NSH can hit 94 max.

Since Calgary and Nashville play each other, only one of them can get more than 93 points (even if one of them gets a “loser point” on Monday) maximum by season’s end. If the Jets win they hit 93 and hold the tiebreaker in regulation wins against both teams. 

[FrostyWinnipeg]

2023.04.09 

EASTERN CONFERENCE
WC1 FLA 91 +2 [2] 
WC2 NYI 91 +2 [2]
                              
PIT 90 +2 [2] Playoff Streak of 16 consecutive years in jeopardy

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
VGK 107   [2] 

EDM 105  [2] 
LAK 100 [2] 

Central 
COL 104 +2 [3] Beat ANA 🤬

DAL 102  [3] 
MIN 100  [3] 

Wild Card (Currently Pacific winner plays WC2) 
WC1 SEA 98 2 [3]
WC2 WPG 91  [3]
                                          
CGY 90  [2] 
NSH 88  [3] 

Edited April 10, 2023 by FrostyWinnipeg

[TrueBlue4ever]

Lots at stake tonight with teams still jockeying for position, but only a few certainties depending on the results:

First and foremost, a Winnipeg win will eliminate the loser of Calgary/ Nashville from playoff contention. Not even going to talk about any other scenario right now. 

Buffalo at NYR - a Sabres regulation loss eliminates them from the playoffs. A Rangers regulation loss ensures they won’t win the division. 

Toronto at Florida - a Panthers win in any way other than a shootout and a regulation NYI loss clinches a playoff spot for Florida

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by TrueBlue4ever

[FrostyWinnipeg]

Even with a win tonight, gonna be tough to get a point in a head to head with MIN/COL.

[bb1]

Winnipeg boy ( Glass) ties it in the shootout then the Preds steal it wow..Saros just robbed em. Looking good for the Jets.😊

Edited April 11, 2023 by bb1

[kelownabomberfan]

hate to see Canadian teams eliminated from the playoffs as I know I just picture Bettman at home watching and going "YES!!" every time another threat that a Canadian team might win the Cup is eliminated, but what can you do.  I still hate the Flames very much going back to Jets 1.0 so not really that sad.

[captaincanuck12]

Jets are in the driver's seat for the playoffs.  Just need 1 pt or a Nashville loss.  And both the Jets and Preds play the Avs and Wild for their last 2 games.  Pretty crazy ending.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

2023.04.10 

EASTERN CONFERENCE
WC1 FLA 92 +1 [1] 
WC2 NYI 91  [1]
                              
PIT 90  [2] Playoff Streak of 16 consecutive years in jeopardy

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
VGK 107   [2] 

EDM 105  [2] 
LAK 102 +2 [1]  Beat VAN

Central 
COL 104  [3] 

DAL 104 +2 [2] Beat DET
MIN 102 +2 [2] Beat CHI

Wild Card (Currently Pacific winner plays WC2) 
WC1 SEA 100 +2 [2] Beat ARI
WC2 WPG 93 +2 [2] Beat SJS
                                          
CGY 91 +1 [1] ** ELIMINATED **
NSH 90 +2 [2] Beat CGY

51 minutes ago, kelownabomberfan said:

hate to see Canadian teams eliminated from the playoffs as I know I just picture Bettman at home watching and going "YES!!" every time another threat that a Canadian team might win the Cup is eliminated, but what can you do.  I still hate the Flames very much going back to Jets 1.0 so not really that sad.

It's either us or them and them won a Cup so who cares 😛

Also Bettman's Law - no Canadian team will win Cup as long as he is El Presidente! Oilers look good and I do like TOR but Boston.

[TrueBlue4ever]

Tonight’s games and implications of each result:

Winnipeg at Minnesota - a Jets win or loss in OT/SO gives them the final playoff spot in the West.  A Vegas regulation win and a Colorado regulation loss would also guarantee that the Jets play the Pacific winner in the opening round. 
A Wild loss in regulation would eliminate them from division title contention. That and a Colorado regulation win would ensure a third place finish for the Wild in the Central. 

Buffalo at New Jersey - a Sabres loss in regulation would eliminate them from playoff contention. A loss in OT/SO means they could finish no higher than 8th, and if Pittsburgh also wins then a Buffalo loss in any form would eliminate them. 
A New Jersey win or OT/SO loss guarantees them a top 2 finish in the Metro division and home ice advantage in the first round, and also eliminates NY Rangers from contention for the division title. A regulation loss and a Carolina win would clinch the division title  for the Hurricanes. 

Philadelphia at Columbus - nothing definitive for either team

Detroit at Carolina - a Hurricanes win or OT/SO loss guarantees a top 2 finish in the Metro and home ice in round 1. A win and regulation NJ loss clinches the division title. 

Toronto at Tampa Bay - nothing at stake, these teams will meet in round 1 starting in Toronto.

Washington at Boston - nothing at stake, but Boston would set the all-time record for most points in a season with a win.

Chicago at Pittsburgh - a Penguins win and a Buffalo loss in any form eliminates the Sabres from the playoffs. A Pens regulation loss and a Buffalo loss in any form also clinches a playoff spot for Florida. 

Edmonton at Colorado - a Colorado win and a Minnesota loss in any fashion clinches a top 2 spot in the Central for the Avs and home advantage in the first round.
An Oilers regulation loss and a Vegas win or OT/SO loss OR any kind of Oiler loss and a Vegas win clinches the Pacific title for the Golden Knights.

Seattle at Vegas - a Vegas win and any form of Edmonton loss, or Vegas OT/SO loss and an Oiler regulation loss clinches the Pacific division title for the Golden Knights. A Vegas win and a Colorado regulation loss clinches the #1 seed in the West for Vegas.

Vancouver at Anaheim - nothing at stake beyond lottery seeding possibilities, which will still not be set after tonight. 
 

There will be a quiz later. 

[FrostyWinnipeg]

2023.04.11 

EASTERN CONFERENCE
WC1 FLA 92  [1] Paul Maurice going to the playoffs too
WC2 NYI 91  [1]
                              
PIT 91  [2] Playoff Streak of 16 consecutive years in jeopardy

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
VGK 107   [2] 

EDM 105  [2] 
LAK 102  [1] 

Central 
COL 104  [3] 

DAL 104  [2] 
MIN 102  [1] 

Wild Card (Currently Pacific winner plays WC2) 
WC1 SEA 100  [2] 
WC2 WPG 95 +2 [1] Beat MIN 🥳
 

[kelownabomberfan]

I predict a Grey Cup re-match - Winnipeg vs Toronto for the Stanley Cup, only this time the Jets get revenge and we wipe those bums.  

[TrueBlue4ever]

Where things stand:

In the West, Minnesota is locked into the #3 spot in the Central, Winnipeg is locked into the #8 seed.

Winnipeg will play either Vegas or Edmonton in Round 1.

Vegas clinches the top seed with a win or OT/SO loss OR any type of loss by Edmonton. Edmonton holds the tie breaker if they finish tied.

LA clinches 3rd in the Pacific with a win or OT/SO loss OR any type of loss by Seattle. Seattle holds the tie breaker if they finish tied. Whoever is the #7 seed will play the Central division winner.

Colorado can clinch the Central with any combination of 4 points earned or Dallas points lost, Dallas holds the tie breaker if they finish tied. 

In the East, Boston is the #1 seed.

Toronto will host Tampa Bay in Round 1 as the #2 and #3 seeds in the Atlantic.

NY Rangers are locked into the #3 seed in the Metro.

Carolina clinches the Metro with a win, a NJ regulation loss, or if both lose in OT/SO. NJ holds the tie breaker if they finish tied.

Florida has clinched a playoff spot, and can clinch the #7 seed with a win, OT/SO loss, or any type of loss by NYI.

Pittsburgh can finish no better than 8th and is eliminated with a loss in any way OR a NYI win or OT/SO loss. Florida has the tie breakers over both NYI and Pittsburgh, and NYI holds the tie breaker over Pittsburgh should there be ties.

Only 3 games tonight, NYI can clinch a playoff spot with a single point.  

[FrostyWinnipeg]

3 hours ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

Where things stand:

In the West, Minnesota is locked into the #3 spot in the Central, Winnipeg is locked into the #8 seed.

Winnipeg will play either Vegas or Edmonton in Round 1.

Vegas clinches the top seed with a win or OT/SO loss OR any type of loss by Edmonton. Edmonton holds the tie breaker if they finish tied.

LA clinches 3rd in the Pacific with a win or OT/SO loss OR any type of loss by Seattle. Seattle holds the tie breaker if they finish tied. Whoever is the #7 seed will play the Central division winner.

Colorado can clinch the Central with any combination of 4 points earned or Dallas points lost, Dallas holds the tie breaker if they finish tied. 

 

I believe COL can still claim the 'Predators' conference title(thus play Jets in round 1) winning last 2 games and Vegas losing last game. Both teams would have 109 points with COL having 1 more win.

[BomberBall]

12 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

I predict a Grey Cup re-match - Winnipeg vs Toronto for the Stanley Cup, only this time the Jets get revenge and we wipe those bums.  

I’ll have what he’s having.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

13 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

I predict a Grey Cup re-match - Winnipeg vs Toronto for the Stanley Cup, only this time the Jets get revenge and we wipe those bums.  

That thinking could be a seasonal allergy.

[JCon]

13 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

I predict a Grey Cup re-match - Winnipeg vs Toronto for the Stanley Cup, only this time the Jets get revenge and we wipe those bums.  

Bettman would declare an emergency and end the season if two Canadian teams made it to the Stanley Cup. 

Everything he has worked for as commissioner would coming crashing down. 

[TrueBlue4ever]

1 hour ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

I believe COL can still claim the 'Predators' conference title(thus play Jets in round 1) winning last 2 games and Vegas losing last game. Both teams would have 109 points with COL having 1 more win.

First tie break is “regulation wins” only, not overall wins. Vegas has 37, Colorado has 34 with only 2 games left. Tie breaker goes to Vegas. Only Edmonton can catch Vegas for the #1 seed (they have 44 regulation wins so they own the tie break over Vegas). 

Love the “Predators title” reference, BTW. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by TrueBlue4ever

[FrostyWinnipeg]

5 minutes ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

First tie break is “regulation wins” only, not overall wins. Vegas has 37, Colorado has 34 with only 2 games left. Tie breaker goes to Vegas. Only Edmonton can catch Vegas for the #1 seed (they have 44 regulation wins so they own the tie break over Vegas). 

Love the “Predators title” reference, BTW. 

Ah okay. So it's either VGK or EDM.

[TrueBlue4ever]

1 minute ago, FrostyWinnipeg said:

Ah okay. So it's either VGK or EDM.

Yep. Teams with the biggest goaltending question marks in the West. 

[Noeller]

1 minute ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

Yep. Teams with the biggest goaltending question marks in the West. 

 

[JCon]

 

[Noeller]

14 minutes ago, JCon said:

 

 

[TrueBlue4ever]

Penultimate day of the regular season, the 16 playoff teams are now set but the match-ups are almost all still to be decided. 15 games tonight, 7 have playoff implications. After tonight 6 for certain, and maybe all 8 playoff match-ups will be determined. 

East:

Boston is #1 seed and has home ice advantage through the playoffs. They will play either NYI or Florida in round 1.

Toronto is #2 in the Atlantic, Tampa Bay is #3, and they meet again in round 1 with the Buds holding home ice advantage. 

NY Rangers are the #3 seed in the Metro and will open on the road against either Carolina or New Jersey. 

The other 4 positions are still up for grabs, so 3 of 4 first round match-ups are yet to be determined. All will be settled after tonight. 

The key games:

Carolina at Florida - the Canes need a win to guarantee top spot in the Metro without relying on outside help, NJ holds the tie-breaker against them. Florida needs a win to leapfrog NYI into 7th spot (Isles hold the tie break there). A Panthers loss in any fashion means they face Boston in Round 1. A Hurricanes loss means they need help to still finish atop the Metro, but it is possible that this game tonight could be a preview of a Round 1 match-up between these two teams (this would require a Florida win and a Devils loss where the Devils get zero points or Carolina gets at least a loser point). 

NJ at Washington - the Devils need a win and a Hurricanes loss (in any fashion) OR an OT/SO loss and a Canes regulation loss to take top spot in the Metro. Otherwise they will face NY Rangers in Round 1. 

None of the other East games have any bearing on playoff standings. Columbus is still primed to finish last in the league (they play tonight and tomorrow) and claim the best lottery odds for Connor Bedard. 
 

West:

Only Minnesota at #3 in the Central and Winnipeg at #8 are the playoff positions set in stone. 

Vegas and Edmonton are still in the running for the “Predators conference title” as Frosty so eloquently put it, and the chance to face the Jets in Round 1.  

LA and Seattle are still fighting it out for the #3 Pacific spot, with the loser falling into the #7 wildcard seed to meet the Central champ. 

Colorado and Dallas are sorting out who will win the Central and who will host the Wild in Round 1. This is the only race that may not be settled after tonight’s games, but it could be.

5 key games - 

Winnipeg at Colorado -

St. Louis at Dallas -

the Avs and Stars results may tell us everything or nothing about the Central race. All that is certain is that if Colorado ends the night ahead of Dallas in points, they win the Central, and if they end the night 2 or more points behind Dallas, they finish 2nd (Dallas holds the tie break). Bottom line, Colorado must match or better Dallas’ result tonight to stay in contention for top in the Central. But a Dallas regulation loss and a Colorado win could also settle the division in the Avs favour tonight.

San Jose at Edmonton - Oilers need a win and a Vegas regulation loss to win the Pacific (and the West), any other result and they finish #2. Oilers hold the tie break against Vegas.

LA at Anaheim - the Kings need a single point or a Seattle loss in any fashion to claim 3rd in the Pacific (Seattle holds the tie break).

Vegas at Seattle - the last game of the night could determine 3 playoff match-ups. Vegas claims the West title and a match-up with Winnipeg with a single point, or an Oiler loss in any fashion. Seattle needs a win and a Kings regulation loss to steal 3rd in the Pacific and avoid a first round match-up with the Central champ.

[FrostyWinnipeg]

2023.04.12 

EASTERN CONFERENCE
WC1 NYI 93 +2 [0]
WC2 FLA 92  [1] Paul Maurice going to the playoffs too
                              
PIT 90  [1] Penguins eliminated from playoff contention, 16-year postseason run ends

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
VGK 107   [2] 

EDM 105  [2] 
LAK 102  [1] 

Central 
DAL 106 +2 [1] Beat STL

COL 105  [1] 
MIN 102  [1] 

Wild Card 
WC1 SEA 100  [1] 
WC2 WPG 95  [1]

 

Bonus - The Tank  for Bedard

ANA 58 [1]
CHI 58 [1]
CBJ 57 [2] 

 

Edited April 13, 2023 by FrostyWinnipeg

[TrueBlue4ever]

Live updates:

8:35 pm - NJ, who trailed 4-1 at one point, score twice in the 3rd to get to OT and earn a point to temporarily move into first in the Metro. 

8:39 pm - Carolina survives a wild 3rd period (4 goals for each team, 2 each in the last 2 and a half minutes with the Panthers net empty) to win 6-4 and claim top spot in the Metro, and relegating Florida to the #8 seed in the process. That result resolves all the playoff spots in the East. Boston will play Florida, Carolina will play NYI, NJ plays NYR, and Toronto plays TB in round 1. 

8:44 pm - NJ, unaware of the other result, wins in OT 5-4, but Carolina’s win makes it moot.

9:30 pm- Dallas blanks the Blues 1-0. Colorado now needs to win to keep their division title hopes alive. 

9:37 pm - The Avs do their part, putting away an undermanned but determined Jets squad 4-2. Avs still need a win tomorrow in Nashville to claim the division crown. 

10:30 pm - Edmonton beats San Jose 5-2 to stay in contention for the top spot in the West. Now they need Vegas to lose in regulation. 

11:43 pm - LA tops Anaheim 5-3 and clinches 3rd in the Pacific, which also mean Seattle will finish as the #7 seed. The Kraken will face either Colorado or Dallas, which will be determined tomorrow. LA will face Edmonton if Vegas can hang on against Seattle and nab at least one point. The Knights have a 2-1 lead with 16 minutes left in the 3rd at this moment. 
BONUS NOTE: Anaheim finishes last in the NHL as Chicago got a point and Columbus beat the collapsing Penguins. The Ducks have the best lottery odds to land Connor Bedard. 

12:18 am - Vegas ends the night with a 3-1 win over Seattle and clinches the #1 seed in the West. The Knights and Laurent Broissoit will face Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets in the first round. Edmonton will host LA. The other series match-ups will be set tomorrow after the Avs-Preds game. 

Edited April 14, 2023 by TrueBlue4ever