Tonight's rooting guide is brought to you by the NHL schedule maker. It is the night where Dallas, San Jose and Phoenix - the only 3 teams the Avs can catch - all are relieved of their "games in hand" on the Avalanche. Unfortunately, two of those teams are playing each other, tightening the noose a bit more. In lighter news, because either Dallas or San Jose will have 91 points after tonight, the Flames (max 90) can't make the postseason. I wouldn't laugh too hard about that, if I were you.
With the Kings win last night, they moved to 93 points and cannot be caught by the Avalanche.
San Jose and Dallas kick things off tonight at 8:30. 3 more points by either team this year puts them out of reach (Dallas has already clinched the ROW tiebreaker against Colorado). A regulation game is much-needed here (you pick your poison with regards to the winner).
At 10pm, Phoenix hosts Columbus. A win of any sort by the Coyotes would put them out of reach. Uh, go Blue Jackets.
Sad bottom line: two - and possible all three - of the teams the Avs are chasing will have a minimum of 91 points after tonight. The Avalanche will not be eliminated tonight...but there could be some more nails tapped into the coffin.
| 7 | Phoenix | PAC | 79 | 39 | 27 | 13 | 91 | 33 | 206 | 202 | +4 | 6-10 | 5-2-3 | Won 2 | ||
| 8 | San Jose | PAC | 79 | 40 | 29 | 10 | 90 | 32 | 214 | 201 | +13 | 8-5 | 6-4-0 | Won 1 | ||
| 9 | Dallas | PAC | 79 | 42 | 32 | 5 | 89 | 35 | 207 | 212 | -5 | 7-4 | 4-6-0 | Lost 2 | ||
| 10 | Colorado | NW | 80 | 41 | 33 | 6 | 88 | 32 | 205 | 209 | -4 | 9-2 | 5-3-2 | Won 1 | ||
| 11 | Calgary | NW | 80 | 35 | 29 | 16 | 86 | 32 | 194 | 222 | -28 | 3-9 | 2-4-4 | OT 1 | ||