We finally have shrinkage! In the magic numbers for Winnipeg that is.

Sunday’s Jets win coupled with the Dallas Stars loss helped the Jets take another big step towards an official playoff spot.

The Jets knocking off Dallas tonight was also a big help to both Colorado and Anaheim who helped their own cause first by picking up wins over the Red Wings and Devils respectively.

The Ducks win vaults them over idle Los Angeles into third place in the Pacific division. The Kings fall into a tie with the Stars for the second wild card spot which the Kings would earn on the first tie-breaker of regulation wins.

The St. Louis Blues also have helped their own cause with a win over Chicago in OT. They are now one point back of the Kings and Stars and we may have to start including them in the conversation as well soon enough.

The only other game of consequence on Sunday was the Golden Knights 4-0 win over Calgary which keeps Vegas a point ahead of the Jets for second overall in the Western Conference.

Monday sees the Nashville Predators take on the Buffalo Sabres while the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings.

Points needed to clinch a playoff spot: 8
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by Los Angeles

Points needed to clinch second place in Central: 13
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by Minnesota

Last Game: Win vs Dallas 4-2 (03/18)
Next Game: Vs Los Angeles – March 20
Games Remaining: 10
6 Home: LAK, ANA, NSH, BOS, CGY, CHI
4 Road: CHI, TOR, OTT, MTL
Headline: Jets roster flying deepest since return (Winnipeg Free Press)

Last Game: Win @ Colorado 4-2 (03/16)
Next Game: @Buffalo – March 19
Games Remaining: 11
5 Home: TOR, MIN, SJS, BUF, CBJ
6 Road: BUF, MIN, WPG, TBL, FLA, WSH
Headline: Should Rinne be considered for NHL MVP? (Tennessean)

Last Game: Win @ Arizona 3-1 (03/16)
Next Game: Vs Los Angeles – March 19
Games Remaining: 10
5 Home: LAK, NSH, BOS, DAL, EDM
5 Road: NSH, DAL, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Wild will struggle to make playoffs (The Hockey Writers)

Last Game: Win Vs Detroit 5-1 (03/18)
Next Game: @ Chicago – March 20
Games Remaining: 10
5 Home: LAK, VGK, PHI, CHI, STL
5 Road: CHI, VGK, ANA, LAK, SJS
Headline: Avs get big win over old rival (Mile High Hockey)

Last Game: Loss @ Winnipeg 4-2 (03/18)
Next Game: @ Washington – March 20
Games Remaining: 9
4 Home: BOS, VAN, PHI, MIN
5 Road: WAS, MIN, SJ, ANA, LAK
Headline: Bishop expected to miss two weeks (The Sporting News)