Predicting the NHL’s Western Conference Playoff Bracket

Colorado Avalanche (Central Division 2) vs. Nashville Predators (Central Division 3)

At long last, Nathan MacKinnon is projected to win the first Hart Trophy of his career. That might be the only accolade he gets to boast about this season, as the Colorado Avalanche come up short in their quest for a Central Division crown. A challenging opening-round matchup against the Nashville Predators compounds those concerns. 

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The Preds have been one of the top teams in the league over the latter part of the campaign. Since the All-Star Break, their .783 win percentage is second in the NHL, and their 54.0% expected goals-for rating is seventh. Nashville can use that momentum over the final two weeks of the regular season, punctuating its climb back into a postseason berth. 

The Avalanche may be one season removed from winning the Stanley Cup, but that was the first time they've advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2001-02. That makes them undeserving of their position as one of the top teams on the Stanley Cup futures board.

Dallas Stars (Central Division 1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (Wild Card 2)

The Central Division has been a bloodbath for most of the season, but the Stars have built themselves a small cushion atop the standings. We expect them to maintain that pace, securing home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference bracket. That puts the Los Angeles Kings at a significant disadvantage in the first round of the playoffs.

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The Stars are shining brightly these days, winning seven in a row and 12 of their previous 14. Consequently, they have a three-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche for top spot in the division, albeit with one more game played.

Unfortunately for Kings fans, LA is traveling in the opposite direction. The Kings were overheating for a period, precipitating a recent correction phase. Los Angeles has dropped two in a row, putting them at a disadvantage in their quest for a divisional matchup.

Dallas appears intent on carrying all of its momentum into the first round of the postseason, setting up a battle with the downtrodden Kings.

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Edmonton Oilers (Pacific Division 1) vs. Winnipeg Jets (Wild Card 1)

A six-game losing streak has halted the Winnipeg Jets' former Central Division aspirations. Not so long ago, the Jets had a few games in hand over their division rivals and could have used their runway to catch the teams ahead of them. Instead, they are on the verge of being relegated to a wild card spot. 

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But we also don't think the current Pacific Division leaders will maintain their position atop the standings. The Vancouver Canucks have dropped two in a row and four of their past seven, letting the Edmonton Oilers move within six points of them with two games in hand. 

Edmonton's ascent isn't complete, and there's value in backing them as +230 underdogs to win the division. Connor McDavid and company will use their last ten games of the season to finish off their monumental comeback, claiming their first division banner since 1986-87. In doing so, they set up a showdown with the free-falling Jets.

Vancouver Canucks (Pacific Division 2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific Division 3)

The Vancouver Canucks have been steamrolling the competition for the better part of the season. The current Pacific Division leaders built themselves a comfortable cushion atop the division, one-time standing head and shoulders above the rest of the NHL. Now, they could soon be relegated to the second seed in the conference, setting up a grudge match with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

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Inevitably, the Canucks were going to come back down to earth, but a goaltending injury may have facilitated that correction. Vancouver was operating well above expected throughout the season, a fact that remains. Their 59.2% actual goals-for rating substantially deviates from their expected value of 51.8%. 

Thatcher Demko went down with a lower-body injury at the start of the month. Since then, Casey DeSmith has taken over, and although he's filled in admirably, he hasn't replaced Demko's productivity. 

Vegas has climbed up the standings lately, but its progress will be stalled at this rung. Their reward for their recent improvement is a date with the regression-bound Canucks.

Colorado Avalanche (Central Division 2) vs. Nashville Predators (Central Division 3)

At long last, Nathan MacKinnon is projected to win the first Hart Trophy of his career. That might be the only accolade he gets to boast about this season, as the Colorado Avalanche come up short in their quest for a Central Division crown. A challenging opening-round matchup against the Nashville Predators compounds those concerns. 

Get a +426 SGP for our NHL Best Bets for Monday.

The Preds have been one of the top teams in the league over the latter part of the campaign. Since the All-Star Break, their .783 win percentage is second in the NHL, and their 54.0% expected goals-for rating is seventh. Nashville can use that momentum over the final two weeks of the regular season, punctuating its climb back into a postseason berth. 

The Avalanche may be one season removed from winning the Stanley Cup, but that was the first time they've advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2001-02. That makes them undeserving of their position as one of the top teams on the Stanley Cup futures board.