Utah is still in the wild card race hunt. Utah is currently 10th in the Western Conference standings.
Will the Utah Hockey Club make the playoffs in their first year?
They’re right behind the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. The Flames are in ninth, one point up on Utah, and one and a half games ahead. Flames have 64 points, while Utah has 63 points. Utah can surpass the Flames.
As for the Canucks, it’s the same thing. The Canucks have a one-and-a-half game up on Utah and have two more points than them. Canucks have 65 points.
Utah beat the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night 6-1. It’s a significant victory for the franchise because they must continue to rack up wins.
Utah has 22 games left in the season. The team might have to win at least 15 or 16 of those games to have a great chance of making the playoffs.
Who can Utah get in the trade deadline to give the team an extra boost down the stretch?
Let’s look at a name like Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Jones has three years remaining on his contract with the Blackhawks. He is disgruntled and tired of losing. Jones is known for being vocal when things don’t go well.
Jones is unhappy. He wants to play for a contender. Would Utah take the risk and trade for Jones?
Jones is 30 years old and in his prime. You need a good defenseman like Jones, and Utah needs more help defensively. Jones is a good veteran defenseman that any playoff team would like to have. He’s a five-time NHL All-Star. Jones has 31 points (8 goals, 23 assists) so far this season.
Utah has been dealing with injuries all season long
Their defense has been a struggle, especially in the second and third periods, mainly in the third period. The goaltending is a concern as well, but it’s not as concerning as the power play possessions, penalty kill, and defense.
Utah has won three in a row. The silver lining is that they finished the month of February on a good note. The team has a fighting spirit. They wouldn’t be in the wild card race to qualify for the playoffs if they didn't.
This team can surprise many people in the hockey world. Utah will try to win its fourth in a row on Saturday at Delta Center when it takes on the New Jersey Devils to kick off the month of March.