Do you feel that? Ah, yes. It’s the tension in the air as the final days of the 2013-14 NHL Regular-Season are approaching.
Next week only 16 teams will be continuing their season as they vie for the single most sought after trophy in the game, the Stanley Cup.
The 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.
With few games left, teams across the league put forth tremendous effort to earn the best possible playoff seed available, if at all.
In Chicago, the Blackhawks have little to worry about when it comes to making the playoffs.
The Hawks have earned their playoff berth and, as mentioned in previous articles, are now fighting for home ice advantage against the Colorado Avalanche.
This is because the No.2 seed (currently the Colorado Avalanche) and the No.3 seed (currently the Chicago Blackhawks) in each division across the NHL will play each other in the first round of the playoffs.
However Colorado or Chicago performs in their last few games will determine which team will gain the favored home-ice advantage.
The Chicago Blackhawks need to win out their last three games for a chance at earning the No.2 seed.
The Hawks have played 79 games so far this season and have earned 105 points. However, they still trail the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avs have only played 78 games and have earned 107 points thus far. With a game advantage on Chicago, the Avs are at the advantage.
If Chicago wins their last three games they can earn a total of six points, giving them a possible total of 111 points.
If Colorado were to lose at least two of their last four games, which is highly unlikely but possible, the Chicago Blackhawks, given that they earn all six points possible, would then attain the No.2 seed in the Central Division.
However, regardless of which team gains the home-ice advantage, this series will most definitely be a great one!
Though the Avalanche have had numerous down years in the recent past, Coach Patrick Roy and his coaching staff have done a tremendous job of turning the franchise around.
Aside from this playoff matchup, there have been some developments in terms of the No.2 Wild Card seed in the Western Conference.
The Dallas Stars have recently taken a hold of the No.2 Wild Card seed. The Stars have a one-point advantage over the closely trailing Phoenix Coyotes.
Both Dallas and Phoenix have played 78 games so far this season (as of 4/7/2014).
The only difference is that Dallas has 87 points and Phoenix has 86. As predicted, this race for a playoff berth will come down to the very end.
Though it is too early to tell, given that anything can happen in the NHL, I still believe that the Dallas Stars will hold on to this lead and will clinch a playoff berth.
If this competition between Dallas and Phoenix truly come down to the last game, NHL fans will be in for a treat.
This is because the last game scheduled for Sunday, April 13 for both Dallas and Phoenix is…each other!
Yes, Dallas and Phoenix will play each other for the last game of their regular-season and possibly for the rights to a playoff berth.
Stay tuned to this contention as the Western Conference finishes up the 2013-14 Regular-Season.
Blackhawks News
Last week was a relatively positive week for the Chicago Blackhawks. With a few injured players returning, the Hawks had an all around better week compared to last week.
The Hawks played only three games in the last seven days but have capitalized on each game.
The Blackhawks started their late success as they defeated the Minnesota Wild in a shootout.
Though Minnesota has already basically claimed their playoff spot, they showed no lack of play against the Hawks.
The final score resulted in a 3-2 shootout victory, which gave the Hawks the two points they needed and Minnesota one point, which they also need.
Next up was the familiar, ex-Western Conference foe, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Though the Blackhawks have a great track record against Columbus, the Jackets proved a tough opponent.
The Blue Jackets had lost their last 12 games against the Blackhawks prior to this confrontation and would add one more as the Blackhawks bested the Jackets in regulation. The final score was 4-3, Chicago.
Lastly, the Blackhawks faced off against the Western Conference leading St. Louis Blues.
This matchup, along with their previous matchups, would prove to be very exciting for any hockey fan.
Chicago and St. Louis share a very heated and physical history together as each team more or less despises one another.
This game did not disappoint. The intensity levels provided from each team added a playoff-like atmosphere that improved the viewing minute by minute.
Ultimately, the Hawks bested the St. Louis Blues after a physical and strenuous match in what resulted as a 4-2 Blackhawks’ victory.
Frank’s Three Stars of the Week
1st: Jeremy Morin
2nd: Ben Smith
3rd: Patrick Sharp
Morin: Jeremy Morin has also contributed well as of late for the Hawks. Morin was called up to help fill a role in light of the injuries dealt to the Hawks. Well, he has done just that. Morin has scored 2 goals and added 2 assists in his last 3 games. He has played phenomenally.
Smith: Ben Smith has really stepped up lately. He has 3 goals in his last 3 games and has no doubt been a key player in the Blackhawks’ lineup as of late.
Sharp: Sharpie has had a tremendous season. He continues to lead the Blackhawks in scoring as is also 8th in the NHL for points, 9th for goals, and 2nd for shots. Sharp has scored 2 goals and 1 assist in his last three for the Hawks.
Frank Markasovic
News Editor
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