The Vegas Golden Knights have climbed out of a slump and now sit on the doorstep of the postseason. After winning four consecutive games, the team is poised to secure a playoff spot for the eighth time in nine seasons. The question is no longer whether they will make it, but when.
The earliest possible clinching date is Saturday, but several dominoes must fall first. The San Jose Sharks must lose in regulation to both the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday and the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. The Winnipeg Jets need to beat the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, and the Los Angeles Kings must lose in regulation to the Vancouver Canucks that same night. The Knights themselves must defeat the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
If all that happens, Vegas could clinch Saturday if the Jets lose in any fashion to the Philadelphia Flyers, or if the Knights beat the Colorado Avalanche in regulation or overtime/shootout loss at Ball Arena.
“When” is sometimes the hardest question to answer when figuring out clinching scenarios for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Knights have turned their season around after a rough stretch, and now control their own destiny. A win Thursday would put them in prime position to celebrate this weekend.
