Entering last night’s game with Columbus, the Stars still had a shot at the playoffs, but it was a long shot. Before the Stars even took the ice versus the Blue Jackets, a game that had super importance to the Stars was underway at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit as the Red Wings were matched up against the Nashville Predators. The Stars needed the Predators to defeat the Red Wings in regulation to keep Dallas’ playoff hopes alive.
SCENARIOS
If Nashville were able to defeat Detroit in regulation, and if the Stars were to defeat Columbus in regulation or overtime/shootout then it would have set up an extremely exciting Saturday in the NHL as there would be two games going determining 8th place in the western conference:
Dallas vs Detroit
Had the Stars won last night this game would be for eighth place in the West.
Nashville vs Columbus
The Stars would have needed the Predators to defeat the Blue Jackets in regulation for the Stars to have the scenario of facing Detroit for eighth place in the West.
OUTCOMES
Long before Dallas defeat against the Blue Jackets last night Detroit ran over Nashville 5-2 completely killing the Stars playoff hopes before the Stars lost to the Blue Jackets.
What’s Next
The Stars still have one game left on the season which is Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit needs a victory over the Stars or a lot of help from the Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche to keep their playoff streak alive.
For the Stars this marks the fifth straight season in which they have missed the playoffs. The Stars stood resilient through the trade deadline until now when it was believed that they were raising the white flag on the season when they traded Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy. Depending on how Friday and Saturday play out for the Stars, their draft position could be anywhere from 9-12, and with all non-playoff teams eligible for the lottery pick the Stars have a small percent chance of becoming the team with the first overall pick. Full season review will be over the weekend when the regular season is over.
