The Vancouver Canucks are officially the first Canadian team to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After failing to clinch on home ice despite two opportunities, it was actually the San Jose Sharks that punched the Canucks’ ticket to the post-season, beating the St. Louis Blues 4-0 on Saturday evening.
They become the seventh team to secure their place to compete for the Stanley Cup.
The Canucks had missed the playoffs seven of the past eight seasons, with their one make coming in the 2020 playoffs that were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. A playoff game has not been hosted at Rogers Arena in nine years.
The Canucks made a remarkable turnaround this year — their first full season under new head coach Rick Tocchet. Finishing the 2022-23 season at 22nd in the NHL and 12 points out of a playoff spot, Vancouver has the opportunity now to become the sixth team since 1980 to miss the playoffs then win the Stanley Cup next season.
With their spot secured, the Canucks will now turn to ensuring home-ice advantage — at least for the first round. Though Vancouver relinquished the top seed in the Western Conference to the Dallas Stars and now sit third, they remain atop the Pacific Division, four points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers.
