Who Will Clinch the Second Wild Card Spot?

The Florida Panthers may be able to chase down the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card spot

Photo by Sam Navarro

The Florida Panthers have 83 points, one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins who currently hold the second wild card spot. 

The Panthers have six games left in the regular season, and the Penguins have seven. 

The Panthers will have a much lighter schedule in April compared to the Penguins.

On April 1, the Panthers will face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Then they face the Buffalo Sabres, the Ottowa Senators, the Washington Capitals, and the Toronto Maple Leafs before ending the regular season with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. 

The Penguins will have to face the Boston Bruins, who have dominated the NHL all season, on April 1. Next they will take on the Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils, the Minnesota Wild, the Detroit RedWings, and the Chicago Blackhawks before ending the regular season with a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

For the Panthers to secure the second wild card spot, they will need to win at least four of their next six games and hope that the Penguins lose to the Bruins, Devils, and the Wild. The Panthers would need to push themselves hard the final two weeks of the season, however, it is still possible for them to surpass the Penguins for the final wild card spot. 

Photo by Joe Sargent

The Penguins have not missed the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, which was Sidney Crosby’s first season. The Panthers have not missed the playoffs since 2015 and were the President’s trophy winners in 2022.