With the Vancouver Canucks heading into the 18th hole of their NHL season, every game from here on out truly feels like playoff hockey.
Sitting narrowly in the second wild card position, the Canucks have just 14 crucial games left to secure their spot.
Right on their heels are the St. Louis Blues (75 points), Calgary Flames (73 points), and the Utah Hockey Club (71 points). With just four points separating these four teams, every game counts now more than ever.
Coming off a dominating 6-2 victory over the league-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, the Canucks have momentum and confidence at just the right moment.
They currently hold a game in hand over St. Louis, while Calgary has a game in hand on Vancouver-making the playoff picture even tighter.
Friday night's matchup against the Blues might just be Vancouver's biggest game of the year. It's their last chance to directly influence their playoff position against one of their closest competitors.
According to MoneyPuck, a regulation win would boost the Canucks' playoff odds from 15.5% to 50.2%. On the other hand, a loss in regulation would significantly dim their chances, dropping their odds down considerably.
This season, the Canucks and Blues have split their two meetings, each taking a win on the road. Vancouver's strong road record (17-12-4) may serve them well as they kick off a critical six-game road trip. After St. Louis, they face off against other desperate playoff contenders including the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
While it's a long shot, catching the Minnesota Wild for the first wild card spot isn't entirely out of reach, given Minnesota's recent struggles. The Canucks trail by six points, and MoneyPuck gives them a 7% chance of snagging that higher spot.
Securing the second wild card spot likely sets up a daunting playoff matchup against the Jets. Even though the Canucks recently defeated Winnipeg, they'd certainly enter as underdogs.
As the regular season winds down, excitement is high and hope is alive. In today's NHL, anything can happen once you're in the playoffs.
