The Vancouver Canucks have clinched the top spot in the Pacific Division with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
The first goal of the game probably came in a way that many didn’t expect, as defenseman Tyler Myers opened the scoring midway through the first period with a shorthanded goal. It would then take just another 1:28 for Nils Hoglander to add to the lead and make it 2-0 with a goal of his own. And in case the Canucks weren’t satisfied with that lead, Dakota Joshua scored just two minutes into the second period to give them a 3-0 lead. That lead wasn’t completely safe, as Brayden Pachal got one back midway through the third frame, but J.T. Miller put the Canucks back up by three with a goal of his own with just under five left to secure the 4-1 win. Perhaps even more importantly, goaltender Thatcher Demko stopped 39 of 40 shots in his first game since March 9th for the win.
Going into Tuesday’s game, the only game affecting the Canucks’ status as the Pacific Division winners was their game against the Flames, as they needed just one point to secure the seed. If not, they still had Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets to do so, unless the Oilers lost either of their remaining two games.
However, the win does ensure that Vancouver is still in play to win the Western Conference, as a loss in any fashion on Tuesday would have given that title to the Dallas Stars. The Stars will have a chance to secure it themselves on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues, and if they don’t, a Canucks win over the Jets on Thursday will give them home ice advantage throughout the Western Conference.
This marks the 11th time in franchise history that the Canucks have won their division, and the first time since winning five straight division titles from 2009 to 2013. However, this is the first time that the Canucks have won their division in the current realigned standings format, as that 2013 division win was during the last season of the six division, five teams per-division format before converting to four divisions for the 2013-14 season.
Who the Canucks will play in the first round has yet to be determined. If the Stars win the Western Conference, the Canucks will play the Nashville Predators in the first round, but should the Canucks win the Conference, then they will either play the Los Angeles Kings or the Vegas Golden Knights depending on which team secures the third seed in the Pacific Division and which one finishes in the second wild card spot, as the Preds have secured the first wild card spot regardless of where the Kings and Golden Knights finish.
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