The Race Is On: Blackhawks Down

6 years ago

The Blackhawks are OUT.

It was all but a formality until last night when it became formal, and yes this little victory lap over their grave is a bit petty… But who cares?

The Hawks are done!

Ok, with that out of the way, lets focus on real hockey teams.

The Jets of course won last night by topping the Los Angeles Kings in OT. The two points helps extend their second place lead in the Central while the Kings point puts them a point ahead of the Ducks for third in the Pacific.

The Dallas Stars lost which was crushing for their playoff hopes. Their road trip from heck ends with them going 0-4-2 and it doesn’t get any easier when they get home because they meet the Bruins on Friday.

Colorado defeated the Blackhawks to get within two points of second place Minnesota in the Central and suddenly that Wild/Jets match-up we have all been kind of expecting may be switched up.

(We’ll have more on potential playoff series for the Jets later today here on JetsNation)

The Magic Numbers

Points needed to clinch a playoff spot: 6
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by St. Louis.

Points needed to clinch second place in Central: 11
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by Minnesota

Now you may be asking yourself: “Wait, I thought it was Dallas that we were watching for the Magic Number!”
Well it was and still kinda is, only not as much now.
If Dallas wins out, they could get up to 100 points meaning the Jets would just need three more points to stay ahead of them.
The Blues have played two less games than Dallas and could get up to 104 points if they win out meaning the Jets would need to earn six more points to stay ahead. With that in mind, we’re going to add the Blues to our list of teams below.
This is also assuming all the other teams behind Winnipeg keep winning and earning points which isn’t entirely impossible in the loser point era of the NHL.

The Standings

The Teams

Winnipeg Jets

Last Game: Win vs Los Angeles 2-1 (03/20)
Next Game: Vs Anaheim – March 23
Games Remaining: 9
5 Home: ANA, NSH, BOS, CGY, CHI
4 Road: CHI, TOR, OTT, MTL
Headline: A Comprehensive Look At The Jets PK (The Athletic)

Nashville Predators

Last Game: Win @ Buffalo 4-0 (03/19)
Next Game: Vs Toronto – March 22
Games Remaining: 10
5 Home: TOR, MIN, SJS, BUF, CBJ
5 Road: MIN, WPG, TBL, FLA, WSH
Headline: A Pens/Preds rematch seems likely (CBC)

Minnesota Wild

Last Game: OTL Vs Los Angeles 4-3 (03/19)
Next Game: Vs Nashville – March 24
Games Remaining: 9
4 Home: NSH, BOS, DAL, EDM
5 Road: NSH, DAL, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Staal approaching milestone and record (Twin Cities Pioneer Press)

Colorado Avalanche

Last Game: Win @ Chicago 5-1 (03/20)
Next Game: Vs Los Angeles – March 22
Games Remaining: 9
5 Home: LAK, VGK, PHI, CHI, STL
4 Road: VGK, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Colorado eliminates Chicago (Mile High Hockey)

Dallas Stars

Last Game: Loss @ Washington 4-3 (03/20)
Next Game: Vs Boston – March 23
Games Remaining: 8
4 Home: BOS, VAN, PHI, MIN
4 Road: MIN, SJS, ANA, LAK
Headline: Stars look to stay united after road trip (Dallas News)

St. Louis Blues

Last Game: OTW @ Chicago 4-3 (03/18)
Next Game: Vs Boston – March 21
Games Remaining: 10
5 Home: BOS, VAN, SJS, WAS, CHI
5 Road: CBJ, VGK, ARI, CHI, COL
Headline: Blues playoff chances could rest with rival Hawks (The Hockey Writers)

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