Canucks and Blues vie for Western wild-card spot

The race for the second wild-card spot in the NHL's Western Conference is heating up. The Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues are tied in points and will face each other on Thursday night. This game is crucial as they are both competing for a playoff position. The Canucks currently have 75 points from 68 games, while the Blues also have 75 points but from 69 games. They have split their previous matchups this season. After this game, the schedule looks tough for both teams. The Blues will play five games against current playoff teams, while the Canucks have seven such games remaining. According to Stathletes, the Blues have a better chance of making the playoffs at about 56.8%. The Canucks stand at 26.3%. The regular season ends on April 17, so there is still time for changes in the playoff race. In addition to the playoff positions, teams are also looking ahead to the NHL draft lottery. The worst-performing teams are competing to secure a better chance for the first pick. The San Jose Sharks currently sit at the bottom of the list, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators. As the season approaches its end, teams are gearing up for critical games that can impact both playoffs and the draft order. Each match will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.