The Chicago Blackhawks have one game left in the regular season and have clinched the Central Division and the top spot in the Western Conference. Each day until the end of the regular season, we’ll breakdown who they could possibly face in the first round and other seeding in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Friday’s results
There were no Western Conference teams in action.
The Tampa Bay Lightning stayed alive in the Eastern Conference wild-card race with a win over Atlantic Division champion Montreal, who rested some starters.
Western Conference Playoff Race
(Games Ending 4/7) pic.twitter.com/dtNDfjIqnF— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) April 8, 2017
Eastern Conference Playoff Race
(Games Ending 4/7) pic.twitter.com/VKCuWIY7w5— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) April 8, 2017
Saturday’s scoreboard watch
If the playoffs started today, the Hawks would be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and play the No. 2 wild card team — Nashville.
Chicago visits Los Angeles to play its regular-season finale against the Kings. The Hawks are expected to continue to rest some star players to avoid injuries leading into the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the clinching scenarios courtesy of Greg Inglis.
Blackhawks’ remaining schedule
Saturday, April 8: at Los Angeles