{"id":463291,"date":"2025-02-28T13:30:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T18:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=463291"},"modified":"2025-02-28T13:30:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T18:30:56","slug":"utahs-playoff-push-difficult-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/02\/28\/utahs-playoff-push-difficult-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Hockey Club Must Overcome Difficult Path To Make Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following Thursday night\u2019s 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild<\/a>, the Utah Hockey Club have just 22 games remaining in the regular season. Now on a three-game winning streak, Utah sits just two points behind the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Colorado Avalanche<\/a> currently occupy the first wild card position. With the trade deadline fast approaching, Utah has to decide if they will be buyers on March 7 or if they will sell off any pending UFAs and focus on next year. Utah has an important run of games left to the end the season and the postseason is still very possible for the team in Utah for the first time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tough Competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Utah finds itself in a challenging position, not only needing to perform on most nights, but also having to rely on other teams to slip up. Besides Utah, there are at least four other teams that are looking to jump into the wild card. Even teams above the wild card could drop out of their current positions. This makes every remaining game crucial, and a string of losses could potentially spell the end to Utah\u2019s playoff hopes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The race in the Western Conference has been incredible all year, making Utah\u2019s task of securing a playoff spot even more difficult. Other teams have played at an elite level for most of the season, with a number of them hitting their stride and keeping up the momentum. The playoff race continues to be a dogfight, with the wild card still up for grabs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent Play\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After a rough stretch in January that saw Utah go 5-9, the team\u2019s recent play in February has greatly improved. With the month nearly over, Utah has won six of their last eight games, going 6-2-0 during the span. One bright spot for Utah has been the team\u2019s power play, which carried last month\u2019s success into February.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Yeah, that'll play \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8<\/p>\n

Gunner makes it a 2-0 game! pic.twitter.com\/SKZPCD7V24<\/a><\/p>\n

— Utah Mammoth (@utahhockeyclub) February 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n