Before tonight, the St. Louis Blues were in firm control of their own fate. A game in hand over the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, the Blues just needed two wins against Chicago and one against the Avalanche and not only would they be in a playoff spot, but they could have been looking at possibly locking down third in the Central.

Tonight though, the Blues may have blown it.

A 4-3 regulation loss to the Chicago Blackhawks helped clinch playoff spots for both the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings as well as helped guarantee third place in the Central division goes to the Minnesota Wild. We are now down to one playoff spot to be decided between two teams. The Blues and Avalanche.

The Avs – one point up on the Blues with two games left to play for both clubs – could really put the pressure on St. Louis by winning in San Jose tonight. An Avalanche loss will set in a “winner gets in” type situation – regardless of how the Blues do Friday night in Chicago – on Saturday night as the Avalanche host the Blues.

Maybe root for San Jose tonight so we get a “one game playoff” situation.

Meanwhile…

The Wild dropped a 3-1 decision to the Anaheim Ducks who are still looking to lock down third place in the Pacific.

And unless something crazy happens with the Jets winning their last two games (possible) and the Predators losing theirs (plausible, but not that likely) we’re going to be set for a Winnipeg vs Minnesota first round series.

Points needed to clinch second place in West: 4
This is any combination of points earned by Winnipeg or lost by Vegas.

Last Game: Win @ Montreal 5-4 (04/03)
Next Game: Vs Calgary –  April 5
Games Remaining: 2
2 Home: CGY, CHI
0 Road
Headline: Jets expect ticket rush, but warn against using re-selling sites (Winnipeg Sun)

Last Game: Loss @ Florida 2-1 (04/03)
Next Game: @ Washington – April 5
Games Remaining: 2
1 Home: CBJ
1 Road: WSH
Headline: Preds fans upset about “blown” interference call (Tennessean)

Last Game: Win @ Vancouver 5-4 (04/03)
Next Game: @ Edmonton – April 5
Games Remaining: 2
0 Home
2 Road: EDM, CGY
Headline: Pirri looks good in Vegas debut (LV Review-Journal)

Last Game: Loss @ Anaheim 3-1 (04/04)
Next Game: @ Los Angeles – April 5
Games Remaining: 2
0 Home
2 Road: LAK, SJS
Headline: Rookie Kunin undergoes ACL surgery (National Post)

Last Game: Loss @ Los Angeles 3-1 (04/02)
Next Game: @ San Jose – April 5
Games Remaining: 2
1 Home: STL
1 Road: SJS
Headline: Avs at Sharks; What you need to know (Denver Post)

Last Game: Loss Vs Chicago 4-3 (04/04)
Next Game: @ Chicago – April 6
Games Remaining: 3
0 Home
2 Road: CHI, COL
Headline: Late Keith goal leads to devastating Blues loss (FOX Sports)