Why it is time to pause the weekly Macklin Celebrini watch for the Chicago Blackhawks

Every week since February, this site has been monitoring the Tankathon.com standings and providing updates on how the probable No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini is doing.

After the Hawks won the lottery last year, they would need as many ping-pong balls in the hopper as possible to land that pick again. That was looking like a certainty for a while as the Chicago Blackhawks were playing so poorly that it seemed like they would finish with the best odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery.

Just imagine the Hawks having Connor Bedard and the goal-scoring machine in Celebrini on the same line together.

Alas, the San Jose Sharks sold off the bulk of their good players at the trade deadline. Now their season is in a tailspin as they have gone 2-9-1 since March 8th. It has gotten so bad for them that they have overtaken the Hawks for the top spot in the Tankathon standings.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have won six of their past 10 games to fall seven points behind the Sharks for the top spot.

Both teams have eight games left in the season. The Sharks still have to play Edmonton and the Los Angeles Kings. The Hawks' final eight games are no picnic, but they are playing much better hockey. San Jose cannot fall behind the Blackhawks this week since they only have two games remaining. Honestly, if Chicago wins probably two more games, it should clinch the top chances for the Sharks.

Plus, it does not look like the Sharks are going on an eight-game win streak anytime soon.

That is why the Macklin Celebrini watch is going on hiatus.

It does not make sense to keep monitoring if the Sharks are purposely tanking.

Injuries ravaged the Blackhawks for most of the season and that was a major reason for the Hawks being at the bottom of the NHL standings through most of the winter. Now that they are as close to even strength as possible, you are seeing that this team can be competitive when it is focused.

Having the second-best odds still is not a bad consolation prize. Heck, the Blackhawks did not have the best odds last year and they still came out the winners of the No. 1 pick and the right to select Connor Bedard.

It is going to be really hard to have lightning strike again and that is why having the best odds would have been nice.

How did Macklin Celebrini do in the NCAA Tournament last week?

Boston University is on its way to the Frozen Four after the Terriers defeated RIT and Minnesota. Macklin had a goal and an assist against RIT.

He registered three assists in BU's win over Minnesota. One of them came off a slick move to set up his teammate, Shane Lachance for a goal.

Goal scoring and creativity are two things Macklin Celebrini possesses in bulk. He will next play on April 11th when Boston University faces Denver in the Frozen Four.

How did Blackhawks' prospect Ryan Greene play for Boston University in those two NCAA Tournament games?

He scored the Terriers' second goal against RIT. That was his only point in Boston U's two tournament games.

The second-line center is now up to 12 goals on the season. If he is going to turn pro after the Terriers wrap up their season, it is unlikely he will get a chance to start his pro career in the NHL. The Hawks have just three games remaining after the Frozen Four concludes. That would not be enough time for Greene to get some practice time in and then skate in a pro game.