Another season, another playoff berth clinched.
The Chicago Blackhawks secured a playoff berth for the eighth consecutive season by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Sunday at Rogers Arena. It is the first time since 1989-1997 the Hawks have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons.
The Hawks have won three Stanley Cups since 2010, and have reached the Western Conference Final in five of the last seven seasons, including three straight. Chicago lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2011 and 2012.
With the win, the Hawks pull within four points of Dallas and St. Louis for the Central Division lead. They also widen the gap to four points from Nashville, who currently hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
It’s the second straight season the Hawks have punched its ticket to the postseason with a win over the Canucks. It is also the second time in as many days a team as clinched a postseason berth against the Canucks. The St. Louis Blues shut out the Canucks on Friday to claim their spot.
Chicago is the fifth team from the Western Conference to berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Dallas Stars, Blues, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks are already in, while the San Jose Sharks are on the cusp.