With a regulation win on Thursday night in Nashville, the Predators could hop into a tie with the Seattle Kraken with 71 points. That would potentially put them even for the 2nd wild card spot depending on what the San Jose Sharks do at home against the Buffalo Sabres. A win there, coupled with a Seattle loss, would mean the Sharks would be alone in the wild card spot.
That of course would be contingent on the Los Angeles Kings losing at home to the Philadelphia Flyers. LA enters action on Thursday night tied with the Kraken.
Get the picture? It’s a mess, and a very tight one. This will help clear it up as we approach puck drop.
1st wild card – Utah Mammoth – 68 games played (GP) – 76 points
2nd wild card – Seattle Kraken – 67 GP – 71 points
Next outside – LA Kings – 67 GP – 71 points – (Seattle has the tiebreaker with wins in regulation)
Next – San Jose Sharks – 66 GP – 70 points
Next – Nashville Predators – 67 GP – 69 points
Next – Winnipeg Jets – 67 GP – 67 points
It needs to shake out well for Seattle on Thursday because Saturday brings a match-up against the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets are about to bust into a playoff spot.
But first things first. Nashville defeated Seattle 4-2 last Tuesday at Climate Pledge Arena. The Kraken won the previous match-up this season on January 1st in Tennessee by a score of 4-1. So it’s even-steven, with Thursday’s tilt being a season series decider with playoff implications.
New Seattle winger Bobby McMann, streaky in his previous life with the Toronto Maple Leafs, will look to score a goal in his fourth consecutive game since joining the Kraken.
Earlier Kraken:
— Seattle Finishes Big Day In 2nd Wild Card Spot
