What, you thought that just because the Winnipeg Jets had a big shiny X beside their name in the standings that we’d be done looking at the playoff race? Not a chance! There is playoff positioning to be had and figured out yet!

The Jets shootout win over Nashville has got them a point gained on the Preds and they are five back with seven games to go each. It also has them nine points ahead of the Minnesota Wild as the Wild did manage to get a point out of their overtime loss to Boston.

Both the Wild and Preds play each other again on Tuesday, so as long as that isn’t a three point game, the Jets should get some help one way or another there as well.

Meanwhile…

The Dallas Stars took one more embarrassing step towards taking themselves out of the playoffs with a 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. In Dallas. Against the Canucks who won for just the second time in their last ten games.

Yikes.

It’s harder to say which choke job has been more impressive this stretch. Dallas 1-7-2 in their last ten or Calgary going 3-6-1.

Calgary plays Los Angeles tomorrow in a must win situation for them.

The Kings are three points behind the Anaheim Ducks for third in the Pacific after Anaheim stole an OT win out of Edmonton.

Points needed to clinch second place in Central: 6
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by Minnesota.

Last Game: Win vs Nashville 5-4 (03/25)
Next Game: Vs Boston – March 27
Games Remaining: 7
3 Home: BOS, CGY, CHI
4 Road: CHI, TOR, OTT, MTL
Headline: The Jets Could Do Damage In The Playoffs (Sportsnet)

Last Game: SOL @ Winnipeg 5-4 (03/25)
Next Game: Vs Minnesota – March 27
Games Remaining: 7
4 Home: MIN, SJS, BUF, CBJ
3 Road: TBL, FLA, WSH
Headline: Preds/Jets could be a fun playoff series (USA Today)

Last Game: OTL Vs Boston 2-1 (03/25)
Next Game: @ Nashville – March 27
Games Remaining: 7
2 Home: DAL, EDM
5 Road: NSH, DAL, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Potential Wild playoff opponents (The Hockey Writers)

Last Game: Win Vs Vegas 2-1 (03/24)
Next Game: @ Vegas – March 26
Games Remaining: 7
3 Home: PHI, CHI, STL
4 Road: VGK, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Mark Alt looks solid in Avs debut (Mile High Sticking)

Last Game: Win @ Columbus 2-1 (03/24)
Next Game: Vs San Jose – March 27
Games Remaining: 7
3 Home: SJS, WAS, CHI
4 Road: VGK, ARI, CHI, COL
Headline: Jake Allen’s resurgence coming at right time (Bleedin Blue)

Last Game: Loss Vs Vancouver 4-1 (03/25)
Next Game: Vs Philadelphia – March 27
Games Remaining: 6
2 Home: PHI, MIN
4 Road: MIN, SJS, ANA, LAK
Headline: You don’t deserve playoffs if you can’t beat Canucks (Dallas News)