Seriously. And without a semi-remotely barely present powerplay, the Kings’ season will come to a quick end (pun half intended).
The Blackhawks are in an EXCELLENT position - Fan Appreciation Day at United Center against Detroit, and all they have to do to clinch a playoff berth...is to not lose in regulation. If they get just one point, they end with 98. Dallas, even with a regulation win, could only get to 97. Bye bye Dallas.
Now, if - let’s say - Chicago does lose in regulation, and Dallas wins its last game on Sunday, in Minnesota. That would give both teams 97 points. Dallas would have to win the game either in regulation or overtime to match Chicago’s current 38 ROW (reg + ot wins) to force the third tiebreaker and it is convoluted as hell.
Name an NHL team that was in 8th place in the Conference, with its last game at home and needing just a win against a team with nothing at risk to secure a playoff berth...
Hint: The (not-nick) name starts with ‘C’ and ends in a vowel; also, the name contains only the vowels A, I, and O.