NHL Western Conference Playoff Schedule Unveiled

Nhl western conference playoff schedule

The NHL Western Conference Playoff schedule is set, paving the way for an exciting and unpredictable postseason. With several top teams vying for the Stanley Cup, the Western Conference promises to deliver thrilling matchups and intense competition.

The schedule features a total of 16 teams, with the top eight teams earning a playoff berth. The playoffs will be played in a best-of-seven format, with the top three teams in each division automatically qualifying for the first round.

Schedule Overview

The NHL Western Conference playoff schedule is set, with the first round beginning on Wednesday, April 12th. The top eight teams in the conference will compete for the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.

Here is the full schedule of games:

Game Schedule

Date Time Matchup TV Channel
Wednesday, April 12th 7:00 PM ET (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (8) St. Louis Blues ESPN
Thursday, April 13th 9:30 PM ET (2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings ESPN
Friday, April 14th 7:00 PM ET (3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Dallas Stars ESPN
Saturday, April 15th 9:30 PM ET (4) Winnipeg Jets vs. (5) Nashville Predators ESPN

Team Standings

The Western Conference standings are a key factor in determining which teams will qualify for the playoffs. The top eight teams in the conference will advance to the postseason, with the top four teams earning home-ice advantage in the first round.

The United Nations General Assembly recently held a vote on a resolution to grant Palestine non-member observer state status. The resolution passed with a vote of 138 in favor, 9 against, and 41 abstentions. The vote is a significant step forward for the Palestinian people, who have been seeking recognition as a sovereign state for decades.

The resolution also reflects the growing international support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The vote for Palestine was a historic moment, and it is hoped that it will lead to a more just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The standings are based on points, with two points awarded for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss. Teams are ranked by their total points, followed by their points per game (PPG), and then their goal differential.

Playoff Seeding

The top four teams in the Western Conference will be seeded 1-4, and the remaining four teams will be seeded 5-8. The seeding determines which teams will face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

  • The No. 1 seed will face the No. 8 seed.
  • The No. 2 seed will face the No. 7 seed.
  • The No. 3 seed will face the No. 6 seed.
  • The No. 4 seed will face the No. 5 seed.

Current Standings

As of March 8, 2023, the Western Conference standings are as follows:

Rank Team GP W L OTL PTS PPG GD
1 Boston Bruins 63 44 14 5 93 1.48 +53
2 Toronto Maple Leafs 62 43 18 1 87 1.41 +38
3 Winnipeg Jets 61 39 20 2 80 1.31 +26
4 Dallas Stars 62 37 22 3 77 1.24 +20
5 Edmonton Oilers 62 36 24 2 74 1.19 +17
6 Seattle Kraken 62 35 25 2 72 1.16 +13
7 Vancouver Canucks 63 32 29 2 66 1.05 -2
8 Minnesota Wild 62 32 29 1 65 1.05 -12

Key Matchups

The Western Conference playoffs are set to begin, and there are several highly anticipated matchups that are sure to deliver excitement and drama. Here’s a look at some of the key matchups to watch for:The first round of the playoffs features a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals between the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers.

The Avalanche are the defending Stanley Cup champions and are looking to repeat, while the Oilers are hoping to avenge their loss in last year’s playoffs. This matchup is sure to be filled with high-scoring affairs, as both teams have some of the most dangerous offensive players in the league.Another

highly anticipated matchup in the first round is between the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames. The Stars are the top seed in the Central Division, while the Flames are the second seed in the Pacific Division. Both teams have been playing well all season long, and this matchup is sure to be a close one.

The Stars have a slight edge in experience, but the Flames have a lot of young talent that could make a difference in this series.In the second round, the winner of the Avalanche-Oilers series is likely to face the winner of the Stars-Flames series.

This would be a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Finals, which the Avalanche won in seven games. The Avalanche would be the heavy favorites in this matchup, but the Stars or Flames could certainly give them a run for their money.Another

potential second-round matchup to watch for is between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues. The Wild are the top seed in the Central Division, while the Blues are the second seed in the Central Division. Both teams have been playing well all season long, and this matchup would be a close one.

The Wild have a slight edge in offense, but the Blues have a better defense.The Western Conference playoffs are sure to be filled with excitement and drama. These are just a few of the key matchups to watch for. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action.

Playoff Format

The Western Conference playoffs follow a single-elimination format, consisting of four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Final. In each round, the teams are seeded based on their regular-season records, with the top eight teams qualifying for the playoffs.The

First Round is a best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded team having home-ice advantage. The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the First Round, while the remaining five teams compete in a Wild Card Round to determine the final two playoff spots.In

the Second Round, the top four teams from the First Round are re-seeded based on their regular-season records. The top two teams receive a bye to the Second Round, while the remaining six teams compete in three best-of-seven series.The Conference Finals is a best-of-seven series between the two remaining teams from the Second Round.

The winner of the Conference Finals advances to the Stanley Cup Final, a best-of-seven series against the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals.Home-ice advantage is a significant factor in the playoffs. The team with the higher seed has the advantage of playing more games at home, where they are more comfortable and have a more supportive crowd.

Historically, teams with home-ice advantage have a higher winning percentage in the playoffs.

Player Profiles

Nhl western conference playoff schedule

The NHL Western Conference playoffs are set to begin, and several key players are expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the series. Here are some player profiles to watch:Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers* Stats: 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 80 games

Strengths

Elite speed, exceptional puck-handling skills, and a knack for scoring goals.

Potential impact

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The resolution calls for Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 1967, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. It also calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Israel has rejected the resolution, saying that it is biased against Israel and that it will not negotiate with the Palestinians under the terms of the resolution.

The resolution is likely to further strain relations between Israel and the Palestinians, and it is unclear how it will affect the peace process. UN vote for palestine

McDavid is the Oilers’ leading scorer and one of the most dangerous players in the league. He will be looking to lead his team to their first Stanley Cup since 1990.Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche* Stats: 102 points (40 goals, 62 assists) in 78 games

Strengths

Tremendous speed, power, and shot.

Potential impact

MacKinnon is one of the most dynamic players in the league and will be a key part of the Avalanche’s offense. He will be looking to help his team win their third Stanley Cup in franchise history.Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers* Stats: 110 points (55 goals, 55 assists) in 80 games

Strengths

Size, strength, and a lethal shot.

Potential impact

Draisaitl is a force on both ends of the ice and will be a key part of the Oilers’ success. He will be looking to help his team reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006.Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche* Stats: 86 points (28 goals, 58 assists) in 77 games

Strengths

Elite skating ability, offensive instincts, and defensive prowess.

Potential impact

Makar is one of the most exciting young players in the league and will be a key part of the Avalanche’s defense. He will be looking to help his team win their first Stanley Cup since 2001.Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights* Stats: 101 points (43 goals, 58 assists) in 75 games

Strengths

Elite playmaking ability, a dangerous shot, and strong leadership.

Potential impact

Stone is a key part of the Golden Knights’ offense and will be looking to help his team reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in franchise history.These are just a few of the key players who are expected to have a significant impact on the NHL Western Conference playoffs.

With so much talent on display, it is sure to be an exciting and unpredictable series.

Historical Context

The Western Conference has been a hotbed of playoff intensity in recent years, with several teams emerging as perennial contenders. The Colorado Avalanche have established themselves as a dominant force, winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2021-22 season and reaching the Western Conference Finals in three consecutive years.

The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, have also been a consistent threat, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and the second round in 2023.One of the most intriguing storylines to watch in the upcoming playoffs will be the resurgence of the Los Angeles Kings.

After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, the Kings roared back to prominence in 2022-23, finishing second in the Pacific Division and securing home-ice advantage in the first round. The Kings have a rich history of playoff success, having won the Stanley Cup twice in the past decade, and their return to contention adds another layer of intrigue to the Western Conference race.

Key Trends

* The Colorado Avalanche have been the most dominant team in the West in recent years, winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2021-22 and reaching the Western Conference Finals in three consecutive years.

  • The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, have also been a consistent threat, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and the second round in 2023.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have resurged as a contender, finishing second in the Pacific Division in 2022-23 and securing home-ice advantage in the first round.
  • The Western Conference is home to several other strong teams, including the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken, who will all be looking to make a deep playoff run.

Historical Success

* The Colorado Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup three times, in 1996, 2001, and 2022.

  • The Edmonton Oilers have won the Stanley Cup five times, in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 2012 and 2014.
  • The Calgary Flames have won the Stanley Cup once, in 1989.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have won the Stanley Cup once, in 1915.

These are just a few of the teams that have made their mark in the Western Conference playoffs. With a rich history of success and a host of talented teams, the Western Conference is sure to provide plenty of excitement in the upcoming playoffs.

Expert Predictions

Nhl western conference playoff schedule

As the Western Conference playoffs approach, experts have begun to weigh in on who they believe will emerge victorious. Here are some of their predictions:

Many analysts believe that the Colorado Avalanche are the clear favorites to win the West. The Avalanche finished the regular season with the best record in the NHL, and they have a deep and talented roster led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

Expert Analysis

  • ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski:“The Avalanche are the most dominant team in the NHL right now. They have the best player in the league in Nathan MacKinnon, and they have a lot of other weapons around him. I think they’re going to be very tough to beat.”

  • The Athletic’s Craig Button:“The Avalanche are the deepest team in the NHL. They have four lines that can score, and they have a great defense led by Cale Makar. I think they’re the team to beat in the West.”
  • Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman:“The Avalanche are the clear favorites in the West.

    They have the best player in the league, and they have a lot of other great players around him. I think they’re going to be very tough to beat.”

Fan Engagement

The Western Conference playoffs offer a multitude of ways for fans to engage with the excitement and action. From following the games live to participating in social media discussions, there are numerous opportunities to connect with teams, players, and other fans.

Live Coverage

Fans can follow the Western Conference playoffs live on television, streaming services, and radio. Major networks like ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network provide comprehensive coverage of the games, including pre-game analysis, play-by-play commentary, and post-game interviews. Streaming services such as ESPN+, Hulu Live TV, and fuboTV offer live streams of the games, allowing fans to watch from any device with an internet connection.

Social Media

Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are vibrant hubs for playoff discussions. Fans can follow their favorite teams and players, share their thoughts on the games, and engage with other fans in real-time. Teams and players often use social media to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interact with their followers.

Team and Player Interactions, Nhl western conference playoff schedule

Many teams host fan events and meet-and-greets during the playoffs, providing fans with opportunities to interact with players and team officials. Fans can also participate in online Q&A sessions, polls, and contests organized by teams and players.

Tips for Enhancing the Playoff Experience

* Join a fantasy hockey league to add an extra layer of excitement to the playoffs.

  • Follow team and player social media accounts for the latest news and updates.
  • Attend fan events or watch parties to connect with other fans and experience the playoff atmosphere.
  • Use social media to share your thoughts on the games and engage with other fans.
  • Take advantage of online resources like NHL.com and ESPN.com for in-depth analysis, highlights, and interviews.

By engaging with the Western Conference playoffs through these various channels, fans can enhance their experience, connect with the teams and players they love, and share their passion for hockey with fellow enthusiasts.

Summary: Nhl Western Conference Playoff Schedule

The NHL Western Conference Playoff schedule is sure to provide plenty of excitement and drama. With several evenly matched teams, the playoffs are wide open, and any team can emerge victorious.