The Weekly Macklin Celebrini Watch: Chicago Blackhawks Fall Further Behind the San Jose Sharks

The Sharks play just six games against playoff contenders, so they are approaching a soft spot in their schedule.

They have been awful since the trade deadline so it might be hard for the Blackhawks to retake the top spot. Plus, the Hawks have been doing a good job of beating fellow bad teams at home.

They have the Calgary Flames at home on Tuesday. They then go to Ottawa on Thursday and the Senators have lost three of their last four games. That is two chances to pick up four points in the standings. The Hawks wrap up the week on Saturday at Philadelphia which is a good opportunity to get a loss.

The Sharks host Dallas on Tuesday night. The Stars are second in the Central Division and are 21-9-5 on the road. San Jose then goes on the road to face the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and then the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

The Sharks are just as bad on the road as the Blackhawks as both have won just six road games. Although, the Sharks have four overtime losses on the road to the Hawks one.

Still, it is liking this is another week where the Blackhawks fall further away from the Sharks in the NHL Draft Lottery standings.