Morning Chirps: IceHogs to miss playoffs, Stanley Cup Playoff picture getting clearer

The Chicago Blackhawks have Sunday off as they limp to the finish line of the regular season. They will host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday before ending the season against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Stanley Cup Playoff picture has gotten clearer as we enter the home stretch.

Blackhawks Chirps

• Despite a struggling and tired team, last night’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues was fairly even. It came down to one team cashing in on their chances while the other didn’t. Check out my postgame thoughts in case you missed them last.

• I broke down the game even further with my pals Jay and Mario on the CHGO Blackhawks Postgame Show.

• Before the Rockford IceHogs took to the ice last night, they learned that forward Connor Mylymok will be suspended for the next three games. He picked an automatic two-suspension for accumulating his fourth game misconduct. The third game was for his 12th fighting major of the season. He’s eligible to return for the season finale against the Texas Stars on Saturday.

• Later in the evening, the IceHogs beat the first-place Grand Rapids Griffins 5-2. Rem Pitlick, Taige Harding, and Ryan Gagnier all had a goal and an assist. The other goals came from Kevin Lombardi and Dmitry Kuzmin. However, with the Milwaukee Admirals' shootout win over the Chicago Wolves, the IceHogs were eliminated from playoff contention.

• On this date in 1938, the Blackhawks skated a record eight U.S.-born players in a 4-1 Stanley Cup-clinching win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. They went on an improbable run to their second championship after only 14 wins during the regular season. This would be their last Stanley Cup until 1961. They wouldn’t win another championship at home until 2015.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 12: Don Grosso, Al Dewsbury, and Tommy Wingels.

NHL Chirps

• The Detroit Red Wings and the Blues were both eliminated from playoff contention on the same day, which should be of some consolation to Blackhawks fans. The Red Wings’ collapse was rather epic as their 10-season playoff drought is currently the longest in the NHL. Steve Yzerman’s seat has to be getting pretty warm in Motown.

• The Ottawa Senators clinched a playoff spot by beating the New York Islanders 3-0 on Sunday. However, they lost captain Brady Tkachuk to injury. Head coach Travis Green said he wasn’t “feeling well” after the game but didn’t give any specifics. Obviously, there is concern about a concussion.

• There is only one playoff spot remaining in the Eastern Conference, and that his third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Philadelphia Flyers hold that spot with 94 points. They are followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets with 92 points, and the Washington Capitals and Islanders with 91. All four teams have two games left on the schedule and will be in action today.

• The Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket to the postseason with a 3-2 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche. There was a scary moment when Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar took a puck to the face. According to Jesse Montano, Bednar was awake and alert, but went to a local hospital for further evaluation and a CT scan.

• With the Winnipeg Jets’ loss, the Edmonton Oilers clinched a playoff spot. The Dallas Stars clinched second place in the Central Division and home-ice advantage in their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. The Western Conference bracket has six of its eight teams locked in. Third place in the Pacific Division and the second wild card spot are still up for grabs.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, April 12: Bert McCaffrey, Bob Girard, Paul Woods, Tomas Johnsson, Tim Sweeney, Adam Graves, Kent Manderville, Krzysztof Oliwa, Niclas Havelid, Roman Hamrlik, Magnus Paajarvi, Torey Krug, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Rory Kerins.