Looking Ahead As Utah HC's Return to Action Saturday Against The Kings

Now that the NHL's 4-Nations Face-Off has come to an end, it is time to redirect our attention to the NHL regular season and soon the Trade Deadline.

The Utah Hockey Club will be back in action on Saturday as they take on the Los Angeles Kings. 

Utah is still in the thick of the wild-card spot race in the West along with a handful of teams that will look to push their way into the playoffs, down the stretch.

The current wild card standings are as follows:

WC 1: Colorado Avalanche - 68 Pts

WC 2: Vancouver Canucks - 63 Pts       

3: Calgary Flames - 60 Pts        

4: Utah Hockey Club - 57 Pts       

5: St. Louis Blues- 55 Pts        

6: Anaheim Ducks - 54 Pts

Utah HC's next opponents are:

Feb 22:  at Los Angeles Kings

Feb 23:  Home vs. Vancouver Canucks

Feb 25: Home vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Feb 27: Home vs. Minnesota Wild

Mar 1:  Home vs. New Jersey Devils

The next few weeks weeks will be very important for Utah. If they don't do well between now and March 1 and drop lower in the standings. They will likely decide to sell off assets rather then buy them at the deadline.

However, if they go on a winning streak ahead to the deadline, it may force management to look at adding or at the very least holding on to a few assets that they would have traded.

The next week will be crucial for Utah, for the sake of the fan base and the development of hockey in Utah. Let's hope they push themselves into the playoffs and give their fans an experience of a lifetime.