To be honest, it’s more than three hours before puck drop on Sunday afternoon as I’m writing this. If this isn’t a testament to how confident I am the Blackhawks will win with ease tonight at home versus the NHL’s version of the Cleveland Browns, I’m not sure what is. That said, don’t let me down, Calgary.
And here is me now editing this article hours later. And while the Blackhawks indeed did win, it wasn’t the steamrolling I imagined it would be. And by not easy, I mean holy shit, what a roller coaster of a game that was. My head is still spinning from the final five minutes of the third period.
Aside from the obvious, smartass route of winning a bunch more games than a bunch of other teams in the Western Conference, there was a steady stream of scenarios that laid the groundwork for the Blackhawks’ ability to clinch tonight.
As you’re probably aware by now, the surging Calgary Flames, indeed, did defeat the Los Angeles Kings in regulation, thus solidifying the Blackhawks place in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Granted, none of this should come as a surprise to any of you, as it’s just as rare these days to see a flying unicorn as it is a Blackhawks loss.
As of this very moment, the Blackhawks hold a 7 point lead on the Wild for tops in the Central Division after yet another Minnesota loss today. Where the standings currently sit, Chicago would be the number 1 seed in the Western Conference and would face-off against the Nashville Predators, the lesser of the two wild card teams, in round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
