Anaheim Ducks Playoff Push: February 4th, 2018

At the suggestion of a reader, this article will look at the games around the league today and how they will affect the Ducks. Betting lines provided are per the Score app.

The Ducks are currently 25-18-10, which is good for 60 points, in 53 games. After yesterdays results not going the Ducks way, they sit a point out of the 3rd spot in the Pacific, 2 points back of the 2nd spot in the Pacific, and 1 point back of the 2nd WC spot.

I am not providing an update on the playoff projection from hockey reference in todays article. I am writing this on Saturday night due to all of tomorrows game being in the morning.

The following is a list of games that include the teams the Ducks are in the race with:

Vegas Golden Knights @ Washington Capitals (9:30 AM Pacific)

Point Totals: The Golden Knights have 72 points in 51 games and the Capitals have 65 points in 51 games.

Betting Line: The Capitals are favored in the betting odds at -120.

Corsica avg prediction: The Golden Knights are the favorite currently at 56%

Impact on the Ducks:

-With a Golden Knights win, the Ducks will be 14 points back of the Golden Knights.

-With a Golden Knights shootout/OT loss, the Ducks will be 13 points back of the Golden Knights.

-With a regulation loss, the Ducks will be 12 points back of the Golden Knights.

This is an easy one: A Golden Knights regulation is better for the Ducks, but this game has a pretty minuscule impact on the Ducks. The only way it will factor in is if Vegas goes on a big losing streak to bring them back to the pack. Either way go Caps!

San Jose Sharks @ Carolina Hurricanes (10 AM Pacific)

Point Totals: The Sharks have 62 points in 51 games and the Hurricanes have 56 points in 52 games.

Betting Line: The Canes are favored in the betting odds at -130.

Corsica avg prediction: The Canes are the slight favorite at 51%

Impact on the Ducks:

-With a Sharks win, the Ducks will be 4 point back of the Sharks.

-With a Sharks shootout/OT loss, the Ducks will be 3 points back of the Sharks.

-With a Kings regulation loss, the Ducks will be 2 points back of the Sharks.

A Sharks regulation loss is obviously the best case scenario here.

Overall Impact

The Ducks cannot pick up any ground in these games and they cannot fall back any further of the last playoff spot in the Wild Card or Pacific, but they can fall further back of the 2nd spot in the Pacific with the Sharks winning or losing in extra time. The Best case scenario is the Sharks and Golden Knights losing in regulation

If you have any suggestions for how to improve this article, please let me know in the comments and we can incorporate it.