We have now seen a number of groups push and shove for a playoff spot this season. Groups we by no means anticipated to be this good are enjoying out of their minds. 4 groups have been eradicated from playoff competition up to now—the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Seattle Kraken—and we will likely be seeing extra of them all through this week.
For these playoff sleeper contenders combating for his or her spot, we’re going to summarize how their seasons have gone and what we’re anticipating.
St. Louis Blues: A Potential Darkish Horse
The Blues have been on a tear lately, driving a nine-game profitable streak. They at the moment sit thirteenth within the league and maintain the second wild-card spot within the West, led by key gamers like Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Pavel Buchnevich.
Final season, the Blues completed sixteenth within the league, and with few notable additions in free company, expectations weren’t a lot increased coming into this yr. Nonetheless, they did purchase Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers by way of provide sheets, and the workforce has been thriving ever since. With each participant assembly or exceeding expectations, the Blues might be shaping up for an additional shock playoff run—maybe even paying homage to their 2019 Stanley Cup victory.
Minnesota Wild: Sizzling Begin however Battling Accidents
The Wild began their season pink sizzling, going 17-4-4 of their first 25 video games, which was ok for first place within the league. Nonetheless, the Wild have shifted off target and at the moment are twelfth within the league and battling for a wild card spot.
With a report of 41-28-5, they’re nonetheless good, however they only can’t appear to discover a manner into the highest three. They’ve accidents to a few of their key gamers, like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, which have severely damage their scoring skills. If the 2 can discover a approach to get wholesome earlier than the playoffs, the Wild have a great shot this yr.
Ottawa Senators: A Drive with New Faces
The Senators maintain the primary wildcard spot within the East. They’ve a 39-28-6 report with a +2-goal differential. Led by Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and newly acquired Dylan Cozens, the Senators are an offensive powerhouse. Outdoors of their offense, they’re surrounded by celebrity protection and Vezina-caliber goaltending.
Defenseman Thomas Chabot leads the way in which in Ottawa with 35 factors and a +12 +/-. Linus Ullmark is getting again to his Vezina methods and is placing up a 909 SV% and a 2.76 GAA with three shutouts. They’re 6-3-1 of their final ten video games, among the finest within the Atlantic Division. With the addition of Cozens, Ottawa’s destiny has modified, and so they wish to be a risk.
Montreal Canadiens: Led by Younger Weapons
The Canadiens have appeared unbelievable since their addition of Lane Hutson. Hutson, 21, has 59 factors (5g and 54 assists) in 73 video games. He has fueled the offense with gamers like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki lighting the lamp. Their addition of Patrik Laine has additionally boosted their offensive sport. He has 15 power-play objectives this season and is wanting so as to add extra.
Rookies Kaiden Guhle and Emil Heineman have introduced younger power to the locker room. With the introduction of a a lot youthful core, the Canadiens have a better shot at keeping up with their opponents.
Subsequent: Wanting Again on the Sam Reinhart Commerce 4 Years Later
