Chicago Blackhawks: How close are they to the playoffs?

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently six points out of the playoffs. If they win tonight and get some help, they’ll be four out.

February was the longest month of the season for the Chicago Blackhawks. That normally doesn’t happen for NHL teams. They play a lot of games in such a short time, but most good teams find a way to make it through. For example, the Blues have won eight straight games. Now, Chicago has won three straight. I’ll take it, it’s better than nothing.

The Blackhawks still have some hills to climb. They have games in hand, just not enough to say they’re in the best spot possible. Of course, if they won out, they’d be in the playoffs. How likely is that though? Not likely for any NHL team, even the league-best Bruins. What is possible though is a playoff berth.

If the Blackhawks win tonight, and both Minnesota and Nashville lose tonight, the Blackhawks are back in striking distance. They’ll be just four points out of the playoffs. Tomorrow, the Blackhawks play against the Red Wings. If they can win both tonight and tomorrow, with the help they need, they could be just two points out of the playoffs.

That help would be both the Jets and the Coyotes losing. If they added a Canucks loss, it would help even more. Really just two of those teams losing helps Chicago.

So how do you like that Chicago? Your Blackhawks are in a decent spot. By Saturday morning, they have a chance to be just two points out of the playoffs, with games in hand. By the end of next week, they could hold that eight seed even.

16 games left to go, I’d say they need at least 10 wins, maybe 11 wins to make it. In these next 16 games, they have 11 on home ice. I think it’s time to start believing in the Blackhawks again.