PLAYOFF PRIMER - 01.04.19

49-23-7 - 105 POINTS; 1ST IN THE PACIFIC (CLINCHED)

THE LATEST:

It's over.
Finished.
With an emotional 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks last night, the Flames are the 2019 Pacific Division champions and will enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
The Flames - who have guaranteed home ice for at least the first three rounds - now know they'll play the second wild-card team in the opening set, beginning Apr. 10 or 11 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
But who that is remains to be seen.

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY:

The Flames (P1) would play the Colorado Avalanche (WC2) in the first round.
>> RELATED: PLAYOFF FORMAT

WC2 RACE:

Avalanche - 85 points
Arizona Coyotes - 84
Minnesota Wild - 81
Chicago Blackhawks - 79
Vancouver Canucks - 78
Edmonton Oilers - 77

WHO TO WATCH TONIGHT:

Colorado at St. Louis - 6:00 p.m. MT
The Avs are the hottest team in the West with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10, and could fortify their grip on the second wild-card spot with a victory. It won't be easy, though, as the Blues are only two points back of the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets as the Central Division race goes down to the wire.
Winnipeg at Chicago - 6:30 p.m. MT
The Blackhawks need a win as they begin the final homestand of the regular season. The Jets, meanwhile, are on a three-game slide and see both the Preds and Blues fast approaching in the rearview mirror.
Edmonton at Vegas - 8 p.m. MT
The Oilers need to win their final four games in either regulation or overtime, and hope that everyone around them suffers a catastrophic collapse. The tragic number (points gained by the Oilers or lost by the Avalanche) is down to only one.