NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013: Minnesota Wild Could Clinch Playoff Spot Tonight; Detroit, Columbus Vy For Final Berth

And then there were two. 14 out of 16 possible playoff spots have been clinched in the NHL and only two remain in the Western Conference.

Currently sitting in seventh are the Detroit Red Wings with 47 points; the team has one more game to play. One point behind the Wings is the Minnesota Wild which has 53 points but has two more games to play. Meanwhile the Columbus Blue Jackets sit on the outside looking in with 53 points and only one more game remaining.

Minnesota is the only one of the trio in action on Friday and can clinch a berth with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Fortune seems to favor the Wild as they have defeated the Oilers three times this season. More importantly, Edmonton has one once in its last 10. If the Wild lose Friday, they can wrap up a playoff spot with a win on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche; Minnesota has taken down Colorado in three of four matches and has earned seven of eight points against them.

Meanwhile the Red Wings will have to defeat the Dallas Stars on Saturday; one point would be enough to clinch them the playoff berth. The Blue Jackets take on the woeful Nashville Predators in their season finale. The Blue Jackets have no control over their destiny and will need some help from other teams in order to make it to the playoffs. For Columbus to qualify, the team would need a win and a Detroit loss in regulation. Columbus could also earn a berth with a win and two Minnesota losses. If all goes right, and Minnesota and Detroit lose their final matches, Columbus could finish in seventh and set up a date with the Anaheim Ducks.