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As the NHL season approaches its conclusion, the wild card standings are heating up, with teams like the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers fighting fiercely for playoff positions. With just over two weeks left in the regular season, the question on every fan's mind is: Can the Rangers and Wild secure their spots, or are they both on the ropes?
The Wild, last year's Presidents' Trophy winners, began this season as one of the favorites to make a deep playoff run. Their strong start had fans excited; however, recent performances have led to uncertainty. As it stands, they enter a key matchup against the Rangers, clinging to a playoff position with a 93.7% chance to qualify, according to analytics from Stathletes. This ranking is largely due to their favorable remaining schedule, where the opposing teams have a collective winning percentage of only 46.0%, making it one of the easiest routes ahead.
In stark contrast, the Rangers find themselves in a precarious situation. With just a 19.0% chance to make the playoffs, the pressure is mounting as they face the second most difficult remaining schedule, boasting an opponent winning percentage of 54.1%. Currently sitting outside the playoff picture, New York must maximize their points in every game to avoid disappointment.
Tonight’s matchup not only holds significance for playoff standings but also features intriguing player lineups. The Minnesota Wild will see key players like Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson leading their offense despite dealing with injuries to top stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. The absence of Kaprizov, in particular, has been felt deeply as the team has struggled on the offensive front, averaging only 2.11 goals per game in recent outings.
On the other hand, the Rangers are set to debut their promising prospect Gabe Perreault, a first-round pick who showed immense potential during his time in college hockey. As he joins skilled players like Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, expectations are high that he can help revitalize the Rangers’ scoring touch as they aim to make a last-ditch effort for the playoffs.
Predictions for the game lean in favor of the Rangers, considering their recent victory in San Jose and the potential impact of goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who has shown signs of brilliance despite the Rangers’ up-and-down season. With playoff spots on the line and the stakes higher than ever, both teams are aware that every point counts as the NHL's regular season draws to a close.
With only a handful of games left until the NHL playoffs begin on April 17, fans can expect a thrilling finish as teams battle it out for a coveted playoff spot. Will the Wild solidify their standings as a wild card entry, or can the Rangers pull off a comeback to secure their postseason fate? Join us as we track the drama and excitement of the NHL playoff watch, offering insights into the races and the teams vying for a chance at the ultimate prize.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds, and let’s see which teams will rise to the occasion in these pivotal moments of the NHL season!
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