Chicago Blackhawks: This loss destroys their playoff hopes

The Chicago Blackhawks needed to beat the Nashville Predators really badly. It was as important of a game as they have played in a long time. They went in trailing Nashville by two standings points so beating them would have put them in a tie. The Dallas Stars also defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a shootout which has them right back in the mix which isn’t good. They are the defending Western Conference Champions so you know they are hungry.

The Chicago Blackhawks are involved in a very close playoff race right now.

The Blackhawks were defeated by Nashville by a final score of 5-2. They went down 3-1 in the second period and looked like they were done. Instead, however, they showed some life and made it 3-2 before the period was over. Going into the third period, you had to feel good about their chances of getting the game tied.

Unfortunately, Nashville scored two quick ones to get the score to 5-2 and it would stick. The Hawks didn’t come out well in the third and Nashville made them pay. That is what happens when you do that against a team that is battling just as hard as you for a playoff berth.

Now, the Hawks trail Nashville by four points. They also now trail Dallas by one point. The Hawks have one less game played than Nashville but two more played than Dallas which is not good at all. Those three teams are going to fight hard for that lost spot in the central division. None of them are catching the top three which are the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers. It is as tight of a division as any in the league right now but it is separated into groups.

This loss feels like it is the end for the Hawks. They have two more games this week against the Nashville Predators but it felt like they needed to sweep Nashville for it to be possible. They only have ten more games to make up at least four points. The Dallas Stars are making things interesting now too and you can even claim that they will be the favorite going forward. Anything can happen for Chicago but it isn’t looking good right now.