The Blackhawks have five regular-season games remaining and are trying to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year absence. Each day until the Blackhawks are officially eliminated from playoff contention, Second City Hockey will breakdown their chances at a playoff spot.
Friday’s results
Arizona stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, but ultimately fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Avalanche. The loss for the Coyotes meant the Golden Knights and Blues both clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference.
The Wild held off Vegas, 3-2, to remain four points behind Colorado for the second wild card in the West.
There are now only the two wild-card spots left to be decided in the West. The Blackhawks tragic number has dropped to four.
Western Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 3/29/19)#nhlplayoffrace pic.twitter.com/1VSfOx9AL5
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) March 30, 2019
Saturday’s scoreboard watch
The Stars visit the Canucks and the Oilers host the Ducks.
Plenty of postseason possibilities in play on the penultimate Saturday of 2018-19. #StanleyCup #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/FuoaQxB89R
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 30, 2019
If playoffs started Saturday
Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand entering games Saturday:
Eastern Conference
(1A) p-Lightning vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets
(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) x-Predators vs. (3C) Blues
p-Presidents’ Trophy
x-Clinched playoff spot
Blackhawks’ remaining schedule
March 30: at Kings
April 1: vs. Jets
April 3: vs. Blues
April 5: vs. Stars
April 6: at Predators