It seems like the Chicago Blackhawks have been sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference all year long.
Certainly the last several weeks if nothing else.
The Detroit Red Wings remain the class of the Central Division, and since the top three spots go to division leaders, the Hawks have been stuck at No. 4.
They've faced hardly any competition for that slot, which guarantees home ice advantage for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Is that where they'll stay?
After its 3-1 win over Atlanta this evening, the Hawks trail the Red Wings by 11 points. Passing Detroit is the only way they'll get into one of the top three places this season.
And the Hawks are nine points ahead of the Dallas Stars, who currently occupate fifth place.
Anaheim, Vancouver, Minnesota, and Columbus all have their eyes set on that spot - 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th respectively. All five of these teams are within just two points of each other.
The top of the conference has been a complete opposite of the logjam at the bottom, rankings that have jumbled quite a few times in recent weeks. San Jose has been No. 1, Detroit has been No. 2, Calgary has been No. 3, and Chicago has been No. 4.
With just 30 games left in the regular season, fourth seems like a pretty likely result for the Hawks unless they go on a ridiculous hot streak or have a percipitious fallout.
For a team that's just dying to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2001-2002, fourth would be just fine.
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Craig Kanalley
Craig is a native of Buffalo, N.Y., home of the chicken wing, frigid winters, the Sabres and the Bills. He is a major league sports fan and most closely follows hockey. More
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