Breaking News: Blue Jackets Stay Alive in Playoff Hunt, Sharks Out; Lightning, Wild Clinch Spots; Blues Punch Postseason Ticket; Flames Eliminated in Thrilling Fashion
Hockey’s Hottest Nights: Blue Jackets Soar, Lightning Strike, Wild Clinch, and Blues Punch Postseason Ticket
Columbus Blue Jackets: On Fire and in the Hunt
The Columbus Blue Jackets (39-33-9) are riding a five-game winning streak, and their playoff hopes are burning brighter than ever. With a commanding 3-0 shutout over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Blue Jackets have moved within just two points of the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Goaltender Jet Greaves was the backbone of the team, making 29 saves to secure the victory. Columbus’ fate now lies in the hands of the hockey gods. They need the Canadiens to lose in regulation to the Hurricanes on Wednesday and must then defeat the Islanders in regulation on Thursday to clinch a playoff spot.
Did you know? The Blue Jackets have never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since their inception in 2000. They’ll be fighting tooth and nail to keep that streak alive.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Atlantic’s Top Seed Secured
The Tampa Bay Lightning (47-26-8) have locked up the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division with a dominant 5-1 win over their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers (47-31-4). In a preview of their first-round playoff series, Lightning captain Brayden Point led the charge with a goal and two assists.
For the second straight season, these two Florida teams will face off in the playoffs. This time, however, the Lightning will have home-ice advantage. Tampa Bay has been a model of consistency, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in two of the last three seasons. Can they go all the way again in 2023?
Minnesota Wild: Clinching in Dramatic Fashion
The Minnesota Wild (45-30-7) clinched a playoff berth in dramatic fashion, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime. With the win, the Wild secured the first wild card spot in the Western Conference and will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.
Center Joel Eriksson Ek tied the game with just 22 seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime. In a unique move, the Wild put legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in net for the extra session, marking his last regular-season game in the NHL. Rookie sensation Matt Boldy scored the game-winning goal with just 18 seconds left in overtime.
St. Louis Blues: Back in the Dance
The St. Louis Blues (44-30-8) punched their postseason ticket with a 6-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. The Blues scored four goals in the first period to secure their spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They will face the Winnipeg Jets in the first round as the second wild card in the West.
**Pro Tip:** Keep an eye on Blues’ forward Vladimir Tarasenko. After a slow start to the season, he’s heating up at the right time, with 10 points in his last 10 games.
Calgary Flames: Elimination Night
The Calgary Flames (40-27-14) saw their playoff hopes dashed with a 5-4 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite entering the night still in contention, the Flames needed help from the Utah Hockey Club and/or Anaheim Ducks to sneak into the postseason. Unfortunately for Calgary, that help never came.
**Reader Question:** Which team do you think will be this year’s biggest surprise in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!
What’s Next?
With the regular season winding down, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Stay tuned to 247sports.new for all the latest news, analysis, and expert insights as the Stanley Cup chase heats up!
FAQ
- Who are the current playoff teams? As of now, the playoff picture is as follows: Eastern Conference – Atlantic: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs; Metropolitan: Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils; Wild Card: Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens. Western Conference – Central: Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets; Pacific: Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers; Wild Card: Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues.
- When do the playoffs start? The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on April 17, 2023.
- Who is favored to win the Stanley Cup? The odds are constantly changing, but as of now, the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes are among the favorites to hoist the Cup.
Call to Action: Which team do you think will go all the way and win the Stanley Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to explore more of our hockey content and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates!