BRANDON WHEAT KINGS: Currently lead the East Division and were the second team to clinch a playoff berth. They've played better lately, although they did lose to Saskatoon yesterday in overtime. Seven points is what separates them from Prince Albert, with Moose Jaw only nine points out.
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS: Seven points behind Brandon for the East Division lead, they also have to fend off Moose Jaw, who is just two points behind, and Regina, who are nine points behind and are playing their best hockey right now.
MOOSE JAW WARRIORS: They're in good shape to end a playoff drought that has gone on for three seasons, but they would love to not travel to either Brandon or Lethbridge for their first round match, as they have to fend off Regina.
REGINA PATS: Comfortably in the first wild-card spot, they're playing their best hockey and have a chance to overtake either Moose Jaw or Prince Albert for a division spot.
SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS: They are eight points behind Edmonton for the final playoff spot and are unlikely to claim a division spot if they do get in. They must play better hockey, which begins with scoring more goals, as only Kootenay has a worse offense.
SASKATOON BLADES: Currently just seven points behind Edmonton for the final playoff spot, they are still in the middle of a rebuild. Making the playoffs would be a bonus, but until they fix a defense that ranks only ahead of Kootenay, they won't get far.
LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES: Currently hold the Central Division lead (six ahead of Red Deer) and the Eastern Conference lead (two ahead of Brandon), but have picked a bad time to play their worst hockey, as they currently ride a three game losing streak.
RED DEER REBELS: Six points behind Lethbridge for the Central Division lead, they just broke a losing streak of their own last game with a victory over Prince George. They will still have a Memorial Cup appearance in hand, but they will need to find their game sooner rather than later if they wish to make a deep WHL run.
CALGARY HITMEN: Nine points behind Lethbridge for the Central Division lead and just three points behind Red Deer for second, the Hitmen haven't been their usual selves, as the own a paltry +13 goal differential and have a pivotal matchup with Portland tonight.
EDMONTON OIL KINGS: Seven points above the red line, they still haven't been able to find the offense that has eluded them since the 2014 Memorial Cup run. They are a woeful -26 in goal differential, and though the duo of Payton Lee and Patrick Dea won't remind anyone of either Tristan Jarry or Laurent Brossoit, they are keeping the Oil Kings in it.
MEDICINE HAT TIGERS: Nine points behind Edmonton for the final wild card spot, they have been snakebit when it comes to their goaltending, as Nick Schneider hasn't played great and Austin Lotz got hurt six games after being claimed in the overage waivers draft. The Tigers would be best to miss the playoffs, as there just isn't anything they can do if they sneak in.
KOOTENAY ICE: The worst team in the WHL, the Ice are pretty much headed to the first overall pick in the Bantam Draft this year. Not even Sam Reinhart could have saved this year's version of the Kootenay Ice.
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