The Blackhawks have seven 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.
Sunday’s results
Almost everything went the Blackhawks’ way for their playoff push. They beat the Avalanche, but did so in overtime so Colorado grabbed a point to increase their season total to 81. And the Canucks (74) and Coyotes (79) were shut out by the Blue Jackets and Islanders, respectively.
Chicago has 76 points and is five points back of Colorado for the second wild card in the Western Conference.
Western Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 3/24/19)#nhlplayoffrace pic.twitter.com/cToDt1yxHW
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) March 25, 2019
Monday’s scoreboard watch
Do the Stars play? Yes, Dallas visits Central Division-leader Winnipeg.
Do the Wild play? Yes, Minnesota hosts Nashville.
If playoffs started Monday
Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand entering games Monday:
Eastern Conference
(1A) p-Lightning vs. (WC2) Canadiens
(1M) Capitals vs. (WC1) Hurricanes
(2A) x-Bruins vs. (3A) Maple Leafs
(2M) Islanders vs. (3M) Penguins
Western Conference
(1P) x-Flames vs. (WC2) Avalanche
(1C) x-Jets vs. (WC1) Stars
(2P) x-Sharks vs. (3P) Golden Knights
(2C) Predators vs. (3C) Blues
p-Presidents’ Trophy
x-Clinched playoff spot
Blackhawks’ remaining schedule
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