Blackhawks edge Canucks, clinch playoff spot

Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews connected for a late game-winner against the Canucks. (USATSI)

It was never really in doubt, but the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks punched their ticket to the postseason Sunday night. Having lost six of their previous eight games, things were getting a little sketchy for the Blackhawks, but they managed to get the job done in a close game with the Vancouver Canucks.

After losing a 2-1 lead with 5:42 remaining in regulation, it didn’t take Chicago long to answer in a game they simply couldn’t let slip away. Andrew Ladd, who has been pretty solid since coming over back to Chicago in a pre-deadline trade, put the Blackhawks ahead for good with just 2:27 remaining in the game.

It came off of a smart play from Jonathan Toews, who gained the zone and forced the defenseman to stay with him. That opened up a shooting lane as he dropped a pass to the hard-charging Ladd, who picked his spot and one-timed the puck past Ryan Miller.

Ladd now has five goals and eight points in 12 games since returning to the Blackhawks in the trade from the Winnipeg Jets.

Chicago needed just one point to clinch a playoff spot Sunday, but getting both help them keep some distance between themselves and the red-hot Nashville Predators for third place in the Central. After going 14-2-4 in their last 20 games, the Preds came into Sunday night just two points behind Chicago in the standings.

Now the Blackhawks are four points clear of the Preds. They’re not quite safe yet, but there’s breathing room again. Falling into the wild card spot could set up a date with the Los Angeles Kings, which would not be an ideal first-round matchup for a team looking to defend its title. Not that the matchup Chicago will get should they remain in third place is that much better with either the Dallas Stars or St. Louis Blues awaiting. The West is going to be an absolute gauntlet.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)