Nashville Predators: Predicting the Western Conference Play-In Matchups
By Chad Minton
(10) Minnesota Wild vs. (7) Vancouver Canucks
The play-in series really benefits these two teams for the obvious reason of having the chance to extend their seasons. In a normal 16-team format, both the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks would’ve been left out.
This is another toss-up matchup in the play-in round, and that means exciting hockey that we’ll hopefully get to consume later this summer.
The Wild have are a surprise team this season. They won eight of their last 11 games before the pause, and were just one point out of a wildcard spot behind the Predators.
The Canucks were going the other direction. They were firmly in playoff position in the Pacific Division before stumbling a bit in February and falling back into being one of the fringe wildcard teams.
I like the Canucks to win this play-in series and advance thanks to having more weapons on offense, but it wouldn’t be a major upset if Minnesota gets past them with Vancouver’s unstable situation in net.