Central Division Check Up: March 18th

Mar 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center

(29) skates with the puck against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Blues

St. Louis is the first team to reach the 100 point mark this season. With Monday night’s victory against Winnipeg, the Blues have 101 points. The pickup of Ryan Miller has been enormous to St. Louis, they remain unbeaten in regulation at 7-0-1 since the acquisition. It’s easy to see that the Blues are the winner of the goalie swap at the trade dead line. Winners of three straight, St. Louis has a big central division game Wednesday in Chicago.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are now in second place. Going 7-3 in their last ten games, the Avs are now ahead of Chicago by one point. Colorado had a huge game against the Blackhawks at home last Friday, in which the Avalanche won 3-2 and are now 4-1-0 against the Stanley Cup champs. On the back end of a three game Canadian road trip, Colorado will be in Montreal Tuesday night and Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Chicago Blackhawks

Marian Hossa‘s return to Chicago helped them snap a two-game losing streak versus Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Hossa earned three points, a goal and an assist in his return. Duncan Keith had two assists to give him 300 in his career. Trying to build on their last victory the Blackhawks will visit Philadelphia Tuesday and be at home for a central division clash on Wednesday against St. Louis.

Minnesota Wild

Losing to Boston on Monday night 4-1, Minnesota he as lost two in a row. However, The Wild are sitting firmly in the seventh playoff spot with 80 points on the season, five more than Dallas and Phoenix. Just 52-3 in their last ten games Minnesota has to play better come playoff time. The Wild face the New York Islanders on Tuesday for their second in two nights.

Dallas Stars

Recently embarrassed by Winnipeg 7-2 on the road, Dallas are currently losers of their last two. On the positive side, Tyler Seguin scored his 30th goal of the season against the Jets. With definite goaltending uncertainties, the Stars could end up missing the playoffs being in a close race with four other teams. Dallas takes on Pittsburgh Tuesday and Thursday they’ll meet the Flyers, both road games.

Winnipeg Jets 

Winnipeg lost another crucial game Monday night in St. Louis as they try and stay in the hunt for the playoffs. The Jets broke a six game losing streak by whooping the Dallas Stars 7-2 on Sunday. Blake Wheeler had a four point game against Dallas and is now the point leader with two over Bryan Little. The Winnipeg Jets have another important game Wednesday against Colorado.

Nashville Predators

Nashville is 3-1 in their last four, but are still seven points behind Dallas. With just fourteen games remaining on the year it’s time for the Preds to put together a win streak if they want to be included in the post season. The Predators get a bit of a break when Edmonton comes to town Tuesday after losing 4-1 to St. Louis.

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