Let's Set Odds: Who Will Make the Playoffs in the NHL's Western Conference?
We're officially in the home stretch of the NHL season.
Teams only have a handful of games left to play, and while the race for the playoffs has been virtually decided for months in the Eastern Conference, there are still plenty of spots in the Western Conference that are wide open.
WynnBET has the Avalanche as +125 favorites to win the West, and the Flames are right behind them at +325. But what about just making the playoffs? Wynn doesn't have odds posted for that, so I decided to make my own.
Note: The Avalanche, Blues, Wild, and Flames have already clinched their spots, so they won't be listed.
Odds to Make the Western Conference Playoffs
Edmonton Oilers -10000
The Oilers have 94 points with six games remaining on their schedule. They would likely need to lose out and have a couple of bubble teams win out for them to not make it in. The only thing they're really playing for at this point is for the number two seed in the Pacific Division, which is very attainable at this point.
Dallas Stars -250
The Stars and Predators are currently tied for the two wild card spots with 91 points, but it's the Stars who have the advantage considering they have one game in hand on the Predators. Either them or Nashville will almost certainly make the postseason, but if one of them stumbles, their spot is going to be up for grabs.
Nashville Predators -140
The Predators are currently in the final wild card spot, but as mentioned, the Stars have a game in hand on them. Their biggest issue is their remaining schedule, which is the toughest in the NHL. Five of their last six games are against playoff teams, which is why I'm putting them at only -140 despite currently holding on to a spot.
The Flames, Lightning, Wild, Flames again, and then the Avalanche is a wicked tough stretch. If they don't win at least three of those games, they'll be in trouble.
Los Angeles Kings -110
The battle for the third seed in the Pacific Division could end up being tighter than the race for the two wild card spots if the Stars and Predators continue to win. The Kings currently hold a three point lead over the Golden Knights, but Vegas has a game in hand.
Luckily for the Kings, they have an easy schedule the rest of the way out. They take on four-straight non-playoff teams, and then finish the year with a game against the Canucks, who will likely be eliminated by then.
Vegas Golden Knights +175
I haven't been a believer in the Golden Knights all season, and now they're in danger of missing the playoffs. They're three points back from the Kings and four points back from the Golden Knights and Stars. Not only will they need to win games, but they need at least one of the teams in front of them to stumble.
They play three non-playoff teams and three playoff teams in the final stretch, and an April 26th game against the Stars might end up being the most important game of their season.
Vancouver Canucks +500
After looking like they were eliminated, the Canucks have strung together five-straight wins in a desperate attempt to claim a postseaosn berth. They have seven games reamining on their schedule, and will likely need to win at least six of them to give themselves a shot.
It's not like they have an easy schedule either, with five of their final seven games against teams that are currently sitting in a playoff spot.
Winnipeg Jets +10000
The Jets have almost no chance of grabbing a wild card berth, but to be fair, they aren't officially eliminated yet. They're 10 points back from a wild card spot with six games to play, so they need to win out and hope that either the Stars or Predators lose out.
Considering their next three games are against the Rangers, Hurricanes, and Avalanche, it's all but over for Winnipeg.
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.