Blackhawks Daily: Red Wings Keep East Wild Card Race Interesting

The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t been a playoff team in a long time now. They are hoping that Connor Bedard and the other great prospects that they have can lead them to the promised land someday. 

If they continue to get better, they might be able to be a part of a chaotic ending like we are seeing in the Eastern Conference right now. There have been a handful of teams battling for two spots for a while now. 

The New York Islanders clinched the third spot in the Metropolitan Division on Monday night with their win. After an up-and-down season from the start, they finally pulled it together and got it done. 

Now, the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers are all dueling for that final Wild Card spot. 

The Flyers kept their hopes alive with a big win on Saturday night but they must win their final game on Tuesday night. If they don’t, they are done. If they do, they need everything else to roll their way. Of all the teams still alive, they have the longest odds because they need the most teams to lose. 

Every other team player on Monday night. The Detroit Red Wings tied their game against the Montreal Canadiens late in the third period. Lucas Raymond’s 30th of the season sent the game to overtime. If they didn’t get at least a point they would have been eliminated. 

Raymond scored again in overtime to secure the win for the Wings. Now, they need to win their last game of the season on Tuesday night (also against Montreal) plus they need some help as well. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins earned a big win against the Nashville Predators. Once again, Sidney Crosby put the team on his back and they won. Now, they need to get some help on the out-of-town scoreboard as well as win their final game of the season against the Islanders on Wednesday. 

By the time that game starts for Pittsburgh, they will know whether or not they can make the playoffs by winning it. 

One of the teams that will determine that is the Washington Capitals who are the only ones that control their destiny. They defeated the Boston Bruins on Monday to put themselves in this position. 

If they defeat the Flyers on Tuesday night, they clinch the final playoff berth. A few of the guys on this Caps team have won the Stanley Cup already so you can imagine that they’d have the focus needed to get this done. 

It has been a long time since we’ve seen a race this right. With one game left for most teams, it is shocking that this many teams remain mathematically alive. We are sure to see a great finish headed into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Frank Nazar’s first NHL goal was incredible for Chicago Blackhawks fans to witness in his first NHL game. 
• The Chicago Blackhawks seem to be very proud of Nazar as he is officially in the NHL. He is going to be a big part of the organization. They are already talking highly of him. 
• Sometimes, it is better to sign NCAA players after their college season despite their ELC losing a year. Letting them leave for nothing is risky business so the Chicago Blackhawks made the right decision. 

Hockey Now Playoff Focus

• Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins can’t act sleepy in the playoffs if they want to go far.
• Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche looked like they were playing a great game against a great team late in the season before they blew it.
• Vegas Hockey Now: Tomas Hertl can provide a major part to the Vegas Golden Knights in the postseason.

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