The Blackhawks desperately needed a win in Montreal tonight; they didn’t get it, losing 2-1 in overtime to the Canadiens on a goal by P.K. Subban.
Nevertheless, they helped themselves by even getting to OT. The point they picked up by doing that got them to 93 points, tied with the Ducks — however, the Ducks have the tiebreaker, so the Blackhawks remain in eighth place. The Dallas Stars, at this writing winning their game against the Blue Jackets. If that holds up, the Stars would move into a ninth-place tie with the Calgary Flames with 91 points.
Both the Stars and Blackhawks have two games in hand over the Flames, so the contest for the last playoff spot is really between Dallas and the Hawks. Dallas doesn’t play a playoff-bound team the rest of the way; the Hawks play the non-playoff Blues at home tomorrow, then finish with home-and-home vs. the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and Sunday.
It’ll be tough down to the wire. The Blackhawks’ only goal tonight was scored by Patrick Kane in the second period. Corey Crawford made 33 saves, but Carey Price was great, making 42 saves on Blackhawk shots.
Tomorrow’s game at the United Center begins at 7 p.m. CDT.