Vancouver Canucks clinch first playoff spot since 2020

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have officially secured a spot in the NHL playoffs, thanks to some help from their Western Conference opponents. 

The Canucks (45-20-8) were off Saturday, but clinched their berth after the Vegas Golden Knights edged the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in overtime and the slumping San Jose Sharks posted an improbable 4-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. 

Vancouver has not played a post-season game since the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season when they made it through qualification in the Edmonton bubble, dispatched the Blues in first-round action before being ousted by the Golden Knights in a seven-game second-round series.

The Canucks have not hosted a playoff game since 2015 when they faced the Calgary Flames in a first-round matchup.