The Blackhawks have nine regular-season games remaining and are trying to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year absence. Each day until the end of the regular-season, Second City Hockey will breakdown their chances at a spot in the playoffs.
Thursday’s results
The Blackhawks fell 3-1 to the Flyers and failed to gain ground in the wild-card race. The Avalanche moved into a tie with the Coyotes for the second wild card in the West with a 3-1 win over the Stars and Arizona’s 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The Blackhawks are four points behind the Avalanche and Coyotes with a game in hand on each team.
The Oilers are one point back of Chicago after a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets. The Canucks (74 points) and Wild (77 points) were idle.
Western Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 3/21/19)#nhlplayoffrace pic.twitter.com/MhZUa0eE84
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) March 22, 2019
Friday’s scoreboard watch
The Wild are the only team in the West’s wild card race in action as they visit the reigning Stanley Cup champion Capitals.
If playoffs started Friday
Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand entering games Friday:
Eastern Conference
(1A) Lightning vs. (WC2) Canadiens
(1M) Capitals vs. (WC1) Hurricanes
(2A) Bruins vs. (3A) Maple Leafs
(2M) Islanders vs. (3M) Penguins
Western Conference
(1P) Flames vs. (WC2) Avalanche
(1C) Jets vs. (WC1) Stars
(2P) Sharks vs. (3P) Golden Knights
(2C) Predators vs. (3C) Blues
Blackhawks’ remaining schedule
March 23: at Avalanche
March 24: vs. Avalanche
March 26: at Coyotes
March 28: at Sharks
March 30: at Kings
April 1: vs. Jets
April 3: vs. Blues
April 5: vs. Stars
April 6: at Predators