Your Daily If The Playoffs Started Today,The Blackhawks Would Play…

Mar 14, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) knocks the puck away from Columbus Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard (16) at Nationwide Arena. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, we are finally in the home stretch with all  Western Conference games coming to an end this week on April 27th.  The Blackhawks have the #1 seed clinched so here is your daily look, which has the possibility of changing every day this week, at the who the Hawks would play in the first round of the playoffs.

The current #8 seed is the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Hawks were 4-0 against Columbus with two of the games going to overtime. The Jackets have played one more game than the rest of the contenders which makes their playoff possibility that much more insecure.

The race for the #8 seed looks like this

#7 Minnesota Wild- 51 points with 4 games remaining

#8 Columbus Blue Jackets-49 points with 3 games remaining

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN ON THE PLAYOFFS

– Detroit Red Wings- 48 points with 4 games remaining

– Dallas Stars-47 points with 4 games remaining

-Phoenix Coyotes-46 points with 4 games remaining

The schedule for today for these teams looks like this:

Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild

Columbus Blue Jackets at San Jose Sharks

Dallas Stars at LA Kings

This will not be decided until the final night of the season so every point in every game will mean that much more.   The great news is the Hawks have no pressure on them but to stay healthy and sharp for the playoffs.  These other Western Conference  teams are basically playing playoff hockey to get in to the playoffs which makes the last week of the season a very nice appetizer for the Stanley Cup playoffs just a week away!

Which team do you want the Hawks to play in the first round of the playoffs?

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Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner (picture courtesy of newgrounds.com)(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)