The NHL regular season is reaching its climax with teams jostling for playoff positions. While all 16 playoff spots have been filled and the Eastern Conference First Round matchups are set, the Western Conference still has some uncertainty. The Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings are all in contention for home ice advantage in the first round.
Oilers’ Playoff Scenarios
The Oilers, Ducks, and Kings can each finish as the No. 2 or 3 seed in the Pacific Division. The team that winds up with the second wild card will face the Colorado Avalanche. Several scenarios could determine the final standings.
The Oilers (P2) will play the Ducks (P3) and the Avalanche (C1) will face the Kings (WC2) if:
- The Oilers get at least one point against the Vancouver Canucks AND the Ducks defeat the Nashville Predators in any fashion.
- The Predators defeat the Ducks in overtime or a shootout AND the Calgary Flames defeat the Kings in any fashion.
- The Predators defeat the Ducks in regulation AND the Flames defeat the Kings in regulation.
Alternatively, the Oilers (P2) will play the Kings (P3) and the Avalanche (C1) will face the Ducks (WC2) if:
- The Oilers get at least one point against the Canucks AND the Kings defeat the Flames in any fashion AND the Predators defeat the Ducks in any fashion.
- The Oilers get at least one point against the Canucks AND the Kings get at least one point against the Flames AND the Predators defeat the Ducks in regulation.
- The Flames defeat the Kings in overtime or shootout AND the Predators defeat the Ducks in regulation.
Ducks and Kings Potential Matchups
The Ducks (P2) will play the Oilers (P3) and the Avalanche (C1) will face the Kings (WC2) if the Ducks defeat the Predators in any fashion AND the Canucks defeat the Oilers in regulation AND the Flames defeat the Kings in any fashion.
The Ducks (P2) will play the Kings (P3) and the Avalanche (C1) will face the Oilers (WC2) if the Ducks defeat the Predators in any fashion AND the Canucks defeat the Oilers in regulation AND the Kings defeat the Flames in any fashion.
The Kings (P2) will play the Oilers (P3) and the Avalanche (C1) will play the Ducks (WC2) if the Kings defeat the Flames in any fashion AND the Canucks defeat the Oilers in regulation AND the Predators defeat the Ducks in any fashion.
Looking Ahead
The final day of the NHL regular season promises excitement as these teams battle for playoff positioning. The outcomes of games involving the Oilers, Canucks, Ducks, Predators, Kings, and Flames will determine the Western Conference First Round matchups.