NHL issues a statement on the Canucks and the Predators

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
April 18, 2024 (3:26 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Vancouver Canucks' regular season will come to a close tonight as they take on the Jets in Winnipeg, and while they were hoping they'd be able to clinch the Western Conference title, that unfortunately won't be the case.

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Stars went to overtime against the St. Louis Blues, giving themselves the one point they required to earn the top spot in the Western Conference and because of this, we now know who the Vancouver Canucks will be facing in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For the first time since the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks are set to meet the Nashville Predators in the post-season. The Predators finished the season very strong, earning themselves the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

"Opponent set. We're ready.

#AllTogether. All In." The Canucks said.

During their second-round matchup in 2011, the Canucks won the series in six games, thanks in part to a solid performance by forward Ryan Kesler.

"The last time the Canucks played the Preds in the playoffs, Ryan Kesler went BEAST MODE! 🦾"

Following the news that the Canucks would be facing the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a statement was made through the NHL's Public Relations account on X.

"The @Canucks and @PredsNHL will go head-to-head in the 2024 First Round - an opening-round matchup confirmed by the Stars clinching first place in the Western Conference standings."

"The Canucks and Predators are set to meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time, following the 2011 Conference Semifinals - a six-game series that featured five one-goal games as well as Daniel and Henrik Sedin factoring on a series-clinching goal for the second time."

While it's unclear at this time when the series will begin or what dates the games will be played, there's no doubt this is going to be a good series. This is a different Nashville team that the Canucks swept in the season series, and it could be a lot closer than many are expecting, which will make for an intense matchup.

How many games do you think this series between Vancouver and Nashville will go to? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below!