The Western Conference may have the first teams to clinch a spot right to the playoffs. With less than 20 games remaining for all of the franchises in the NHL.
Colorado Avalanche has 95 points in 63 games played, comes from four straight wins, and has the best record in the league. With all these results, they already have 17 points ahead of the fourth-placed Nashville Predators in the Central Division, which have 64 games.
Considering the retrospect, Colorado may be clinched in the following weeks and certainly have the home-ice advantage in all the games in the postseason.
In the Pacific Division, Calgary Flames are also in a comfortable situation. With 84 points and 12 ahead of the fourth Vegas Golden Knights, the team is first, with three games less than the rival. So the difference can get even bigger if Calgary wins the following challenges. Take a look at the bets on NHL on Thursday, 24.
Eastern Conference
On both divisions in the East, the first and fourth-placed are separated by 10 or fewer points, showing they will run until the regular season’s end for the spots in the offs.
Carolina Hurricanes have 90 points and lead the Metropolitan Division, while Washington Capitals have 80 points in fourth place.
The smallest difference is in the Atlantic Division, where only seven points separate the first one, Florida Panthers with 90, and the fourth, Boston Bruins, with 83.
Despite the smaller gap, the franchises that will go at least to the Wild Card look defined since the fourth-placed has a significant difference to the next rival in both divisions in the Eastern Conference.
Take a look below at the main games from Thursday 24:
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars
The best team in the division and trying to get clinched in the offs, Carolina wants to get closer to its goal for the season as soon as possible. So, a victory would be great.
On the other hand, Dallas is in fifth place in the Central Division, with 73 points (five behind the fourth and third). Coming from two wins in a row, the franchise needs to keep the good streak to clinch at least a Wild Card spot.
Carolina Hurricanes is the favorite for the game, with -210 on Bovada. Both have good defenses (Carolina has the best in the NHL, with 150 goals against), and the game has +105 odds to finish under 5,5 goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins
In an Atlantic Division match, Tampa will play against Boston, and it can change their positions in the standing. The Lightning is the second and has 84 points, while the Bruins are the fourth and 83. Both will undoubtedly be in the playoffs, but one of them can go to the Wild Card, depending on the result.
Boston Bruins is the favorite for the victory in the ice, with -110 odds on Bovada. The game has -110 odds to finish under 5,5 goals.
Nashville Predators vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Central Division is similar to the Atlantic, where only one point separates the second to the fourth. Nashville is on fourth and will try to get second place and get the home-ice advantage in the postseason.
At the same time, Vegas has 72 points and is in fourth place but has more games than the rivals ahead. So they need to overcome the losing streak for getting at least a Wild Card spot.
Nashville Predators is the favorite for the win, with -125 odds on Bovada. The game has -150 odds to finish over 5,5 goals.
