Wednesday 8 April 2015

Oilers Play Spoilers and Canucks Clinch From Couch

Canucks Nation was abuzz all day Tuesday after a huge Canucks come from behind shootout win over the reeling LA Kings.  The win put the Canucks firmly in control of their own destiny and, even though they picked up a loser point, put the Kings in a spot of trouble.

However, the season wasn't over yet and the Canucks hadn't officially clinched, after all.  They could clinch with another win on Thursday versus the lowly Arizona Coyotes.  Or, with a little help from the out-of-town scoreboard, they could clinch beforehand.  There were multiple scenarios that would put them in.  The least likely was the Spoilers, err.. Oilers beating the Kings in regulation.

Canucks followers, myself included, basically ignored that possibility.  The Los Angeles Kings had only lost in regulation ONCE in the last 27 games against the Oilers.  The Oilers are having a terrible season even by their standards.  The Kings thumped the Oilers 8-2 in their last meeting. You could basically chalk up 2 points
next to the Kings column in the standings.  Hell, the Kings didn't even bother putting starting Quick in a game they had to have.

Everyone was looking forward to the game on Thursday between the Kings and Flames as the big one. Hopefully the flames could take out the Kings.  Not many figured the Oilers could put a major dent in the Kings playoff chances and officially clinch a spot for the Canucks in the bargain.

The Kings can, of course still make the playoffs, but it won't be easy.  They will definitely need to beat the Flames on Thursday, preferably in regulation, and hope Winnipeg and Calgary falter in their remaining couple of games.

As for the Canucks, all that remains to be seen is who they will face.  They currently sit 2nd in the Pacific and with wins over the Oilers and Coyotes are guaranteed to stay there, but Calgary could still catch them meaning they'll face in the 1st round with the Flames having home ice.

The Kings could still catch Calgary, meaning the Canucks would face the Kings in the 1st round.  An outcome that Canucks fans would have like to avoided, but with recent wins over the Kings, it might be Kings fans who are nervous about a playoff showdown with the Canucks.

Regardless what happens, wer're in for a wild ride over he next few days, and that's just the warm-up act as the real show starts next week with the Canucks back in it after missing last season.

Yes, thanks to the Oilers upsetting the Kings last night, the Canucks are definitely in;  All that remains to be seen is who they will face.



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