The Playoff Chase: Chasing down a division title

In the past week the Calgary Flames lost two out of three games. But because the Western Conference is wacky, they’re actually closer than ever to clinching a division (and conference) crown.

(Playoff spot odds throughout these tables via Sports Club Stats.)

The Flames, Sharks, Jets and Predators have spots locked down. The Blues, Golden Knights and Stars haven’t clinched, but are all but mathematically in. Colorado has an edge on Arizona for the last spot. Minnesota is the only other team with a larger than 1% chance at the postseason.

Everyone else is done.

The Flames have clinched first or second in the Pacific. The Golden Knights would need to basically win out and have the Sharks keep losing to get into second place. It’s possible, but unlikely.

The Flames are six points up on San Jose with five games left. If they win twice, the Sharks are done. Considering four of the Flames’ remaining five games are against non-playoff teams, they have great odds here.

It’s down to the Flames and Sharks, and San Jose doesn’t have a great shot anymore. Winnipeg, Nashville and St. Louis are mathematically alive, but are functionally done.