The Minnesota Wild have a golden opportunity to lock up a playoff berth Tuesday night as they host the Anaheim Ducks in their regular season finale at Xcel Energy Center.
With just one game left, the Wild control their own fate — and they have a 97.7% chance of reaching the postseason, according to MoneyPuck.com Calgary, meanwhile, is barely hanging on with 13.8% odds.
âś… Earn at least 1 point vs. Anaheim (win or OT/SO loss)
âś… St. Louis loses to Utah
âś… Calgary loses to Vegas
Any one of those outcomes will punch Minnesota’s playoff ticket.
Wild vs. Ducks – 7:00 p.m. CT
Blues vs. Utah – 7:00 p.m. CT
Flames vs. Vegas – 8:00 p.m. CT
Minnesota is a perfect 2-0 this season against Anaheim, winning by scores of 5-1 and 5-2. Meanwhile, the Blues are 1-2 vs. Utah, and the Flames are winless (0-2-1) against Vegas, including two shutout losses.
Seeding is still up in the air — and it matters.
No. 8 seed = face Winnipeg, the NHL’s top team with 114 points
No. 7 seed = face Vegas, currently sitting at 107 points
Unfortunately, neither matchup looks great on paper:
The Wild are 0-2-1 vs. Winnipeg, getting outscored 11-2
They’re 0-3 vs. Vegas, outscored 12-4
Still, anything can happen in the playoffs — but first, the Wild have to punch their ticket tonight.
