The NHL’s 2024-25 Western Conference Playoff Race Just Got Spicy

With their 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks are now one of four ... [+] teams pushing Vancouver for the final playoff spot in the NHL's Western Conference. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
NHLI via Getty Images
When the NHL’s 2024-25 regular season paused on Feb. 9 for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the playoff picture was murky in the Eastern Conference. At the time, the NHL Western Conference playoff race looked pretty straightforward.
Since play resumed a week ago, the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets have put some separation between themselves and the rest of the Eastern pack as they get set to go head-to-head in front of the second-largest crowd in NHL history at Ohio State’s Horseshoe for Saturday’s 2025 Stadium Series matchup.
But in the West, five teams are suddenly in the mix for the second wild-card spot. The Vancouver Canucks are now looking to fend off the Calgary Flames, Utah Hockey Club, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks.
At the break, the Canucks were in a playoff spot, three points up on Calgary and six up on their next-closest competitor, Utah. But with just one win in their first four games back in action, they’re now just one point ahead of the Flames.
Here’s a look at the wild-card race as February wraps up. The top two clubs will make the playoffs. Only the Avalanche, secure in the first wild-card spot, are playing on Friday night. The other five clubs are all idle.