With the NHL playoffs approaching, the Canucks are fighting to regain momentum. Can they turn things around and secure their postseason spot?
The Vancouver Canucks are teetering on the edge of missing the playoffs despite starting the season as the reigning Pacific Division champions. A rollercoaster year filled with unexpected challenges has put them in a tough spot, and with the postseason fast approaching, every remaining game carries massive weight.
Their season has been anything but smooth. The team dealt with internal struggles that ultimately led to J.T. Miller’s trade to the New York Rangers in January. While that move was expected to bring some stability, it hasn’t fully turned things around. Now, the Canucks find themselves needing both strong performances and a bit of luck to secure a playoff spot.
As they gear up for a crucial matchup against the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver sits five points behind the St. Louis Blues with one game in hand. They also trail in regulation, another factor that could come into play if tiebreakers are needed. Every point from now on will be a lifeline, making each game a must-win battle.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Canucks’ chances of making the playoffs.
The Canucks’ recent 4-2 loss to the Blues only made their path to the playoffs steeper. Adding to their challenge is St. Louis’ relatively manageable schedule ahead, which includes games against the Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken. In contrast, Vancouver’s road is rockier.
| Make PlayOffs | Make 2nd Round | Make 3rd Round | Make Final Round | Win Cup | Points |
| 11.3% | 3.2% | 0.9% | 0.3% | 0.1% | 89 |
Six of their final 11 games are against teams currently holding playoff spots, and they’ll also face bubble teams like the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets, both of whom are desperate to keep their postseason hopes alive. St. Louis holds a 61.8% chance of securing a playoff spot, while the Canucks face an uphill battle with just an 11.3% probability.
For the Canucks, the road ahead is daunting but not impossible. A strong finish and some missteps from teams ahead of them could keep their playoff dreams alive. But with little margin for error, they’ll need to bring their best hockey to the ice every night.
Image Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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