Sign in Subscribe

Blackhawks playoff chase: March 21

Here’s a look at Chicago’s playoff chances heading into Thursday’s games.

The Blackhawks have 10 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.

Wednesday’s results

The Canucks pulled into a tie with the Blackhawks with a win over the last-place Senators. The Blackhawks and Canucks both have 74 points and sit four points back of Arizona for the second wild-card spot in the West.

Thursday’s scoreboard watch

Do the Blackhawks play? Yes, they host the Flyers, who are six points out of the wild card in the East.

Do the Stars play? Yes, they host the Avalanche. Dallas holds the West’s top wild card at 82 points, while Colorado is only two points ahead of Chicago at 76 points.

Do the Coyotes play? Yes, they visit the Panthers, who are eight points out of the playoffs in the East. Arizona has the West’s second wild card at 78 points.

Do the Wild play? No

What to root for: Chicago, Dallas and Florida all to win. That ideal result would lift the Blackhawks into a tie with Colorado and two points back of Arizona for the West’s second wild card.

If playoffs started Thursday

Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand entering games Thursday:

Eastern Conference

(1A) Lightning vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets

(1M) Capitals vs. (WC1) Hurricanes

(2A) Bruins vs. (3A) Maple Leafs

(2M) Islanders vs. (3M) Penguins

Western Conference

(1P) Flames vs. (WC2) Coyotes

(1C) Jets vs. (WC1) Stars

(2P) Sharks vs. (3P) Golden Knights

(2C) Predators vs. (3C) Blues

Blackhawks’ remaining schedule

March 21: vs. Flyers

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

Read next