Per week from immediately marks the beginning of the NHL playoffs, and there are many dominoes but to fall because the postseason bracket takes type.
Playoff seed positioning is tightening by the hour, as virtually each workforce within the combine has particular clinch situations that depend on the outcomes of different groups’ video games in addition to their very own.
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But on Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights are in charge of their very own future, as a win over the Colorado Avalanche clinches a postseason berth.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are set for a primary spherical battle because the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds within the Western Conference, however who hosts that collection could also be decided immediately if the Stars can handle the New York Rangers.
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First Pick: Vegas Golden Knights ML (+117) over Colorado Avalanche
Rundown: While the Golden Knights head into probably the most vital video games of their season on Saturday, the Avalanche are cruising into the postseason.
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With the Presidents’ Trophy already in tow, Colorado doesn’t have a lot to play over the ultimate stretch of the season.
The overwhelming betting favorites to come back out of the Western Conference, the Avalanche haven’t hit fairly the identical gear in 2026 as they did within the first chunk of the season as they rank twelfth within the league in factors proportion for the reason that begin of the brand new 12 months.
Additionally, Colorado will probably be with out Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar in opposition to a principally wholesome Vegas workforce.
Expect the Golden Knights to clinch their postseason spot with an upset right here.
Second Pick: Dallas Stars -1.5 over New York Rangers
The Los Angeles Kings left wing Andre Lee (47) skates with the puck in opposition to the Dallas Stars on the Crypto Arena on January twelfth, 2026 in Los Angeles California.
JON BRYAN – The Sporting Tribune
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The Los Angeles Kings left wing Andre Lee (47) skates with the puck in opposition to the Dallas Stars on the Crypto Arena on January twelfth, 2026 in Los Angeles California.
Rundown: On a day the place virtually each workforce has matchups with playoff implications, the Rangers are considered one of simply 4 groups already eradicated from postseason rivalry, making extra a good matchup for a Stars workforce determined to create a long way between them and the Wild.
The Stars usually are not precisely peaking down the stretch, going 4-5-1 of their final 10, however head into Saturday on a two-game win streak, with Wyatt Johnston racking up three targets in these victories.
Johnston has been a significant supply of offense for the Stars, scoring 15 targets in 22 video games for the reason that Olympic break.
Expect a giant day for Johnston and firm, as Dallas decidedly takes care of a floundering New York squad with home-ice benefit in spherical one of many playoffs on the road.