Blackhawks’ playoff picture at a glance
BY ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com April 9, 2011 9:58PM
Today
Red Wings at Blackhawks
The facts: 11:30 a.m., Ch. 5, 560-AM.
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
THE SCENARIOS
Here are the four ways the Hawks can make the playoffs:
1. They win.
2. They lose in overtime or a shootout.
3. The Stars lose.
4. The Stars’ outcome is decided in a shootout.
POTENTIAL 1ST-ROUND FOES
◆ With regulation victory: Ducks
◆ With OT/shootout loss: Sharks
◆ With regulation loss plus Stars loss/shootout result: Canucks
RULE CHANGE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
If this were last season, the Blackhawks already would’ve clinched a playoff spot because they have more victories than the Stars. But the NHL’s board of governors changed the primary playoff tiebreaker, eliminating shootout wins from the equation.
If teams are tied in points, regulation/overtime wins are the first tiebreaker. After that, it’s head-to-head points. The Stars lead the Hawks 6-3.
If the Hawks lose in regulation to the Red Wings and the Stars beat the Wild in regulation or overtime, the Hawks and Stars would have 38 regulation/overtime wins each. That would put the Stars in the playoffs. If the Wild and Stars go to a shootout, the Hawks would move on regardless of the outcome.
THE STANDINGS
1. Canucks 117 points
2. Sharks 105
3. Red Wings 102
4. Ducks 99
5. Predators 99
6. Coyotes 99
7. Kings 98
8. BLACKHAWKS 97
9. Stars 95
Canucks have clinched Presidents’ Trophy; Sharks and Red Wings have clinched division titles; Predators, Coyotes, Kings and Ducks have clinched playoff spots.
