Western Conference playoff race

Monday, March 08, 2010-12:34:am
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

The first week of NHL hockey since the Olympic break hasn't been a good one for the Dallas Stars and, as a result, they've dug themselves a hole as far as the playoff race.

And they didn't get much help in the playoff race Sunday. Two of the teams they are chasing - Detroit and Calgary - both won.

The Stars, who haven't done themselves any favors by losing their first three games since the break, are now six points behind eighth place Red Wings, 5-4 winners over Chicago, and five points behind ninth place Calgary, which beat Minnesota 5-2. The Stars trail seventh place Nashville, which lost 4-2 to Vancouver, by seven points.

The Stars have a game in hand on all three of those teams, and they play that game Monday night in Washington against the Capitals. 

The points pace for the final playoff spot is currently 93 points, up from 91 points when the NHL took a break for the Vancouver Olympics. That pace is being set by Detroit, which picked up six of eight points (3-1-0) since the break.

Stars coach Marc Crawford said last week he thinks it might take 95 or 96 points to get into the playoffs this season. Time will tell if that's the case.

Here's a look at what the Stars would have to do to reach the current pace of 93 points and a couple of higher targets.

To hit 93 points: The Stars would need 25 points (7 games over. 500) over their final 18 games. That would be a record of 12-5-1, 11-4-3, 10-3-5, etc.

To hit 94 points: The Stars would need 26 points (8 games over. 500) over their final 18 games. That would entail a record of 13-5-0, 12-4-2, 11-3-4, etc.

To hit 95 points: The Stars would need 27 points (9 games over .500) over their final 18 games. That would require a record of 13-4-1, 12-3-3, 11-2-5, etc.

The week ahead

The Stars continue their road trip with a game Monday in Washington and then they wrap up the trip Wednesday in Buffalo. After that they have six straight at home, all against teams currently in the playoffs: Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose, Philadelphia, Ottawa and Phoenix.

Among the rest of the West, here are a few highlights:

Nashville: The Predators head out on a four-game road trip this week that will take them to Atlanta,, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles

Detroit and Calgary: Play each other twice in eight days. They play in Detroit this Tuesday and then in Calgary on March 15. The Red Wings also host Minnesota and Buffalo this week. Calgary hosts Ottawa and plays at Vancouver this week.

St. Louis is off until Thursday and then continues a road trip at the New York Islanders, Columbus and Minnesota.

Anaheim: Plays its next six games at home: Columbus, Nashville, San Jose, Chicago, NY Islanders and Colorado

Minnesota: Host Florida on Tuesday and plays at Detroit on Thursday.

West standings

Here's a look at the Western Conference with teams ranked by points percentage. The points pace of each team is included along with its record since the Olympic break.