Central Division Check Up: March 26th

Mar 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues center

(42) celebrates his power-play goal with left wing Alexander Steen (20) and right wing

(74) in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Blues

The Blues will be glad to be home on Thursday night as they are back from a four game road trip in which they went 2-2. St.Louis beat Toronto on Tuesday night 5-3, David Backes helped St.Louis win by scoring a hat-trick. With Tuesday night’s victory, the Blues are now first in the league in points with 105. Minnesota will visit St.Louis on Thursday and Dallas takes on the Blues Saturday.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago beat Dallas on Tuesday night and are now winners of 3 out of their last four. Back in second place, the Blackhawks are starting to pick it up at the right time. As we head into the post season, Chicago might not have the stranglehold of teams they did last year, but they are a team to not be taken lightly. The Hawks will be headed to Boston for a Stanley Cup rematch on Thursday.

Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche fans had a bit of relief on Tuesday night. Gabriel Landeskog scored twice to help Colorado beat the Nashville Predators and end a three game losing skid that started in Winnipeg a week to the date. Previously, the Avs were in second place but the slump definitely hurt them a bit. Up next, Vancouver comes to town on Thursday and San Jose Saturday, for an afternoon game.

Minnesota Wild

In the past four games, the Minnesota Wild have scored 17 goals and earned five points with a 2-1-1 record. Minnesota called up defence man Jonathon Blum this past week due to injuries to Keith Ballard and Clayton Stoner. The Wild are in seventh with 85 points, three more points and a game in hand on Phoenix. Wednesday night Minnesota will host Vancouver before leaving for a 4 game road trip.

Dallas Stars

With a game in hand and three points back of Phoenix, the Stars are now looking at the playoff spot they once had. Dallas was once a team with playoff aspirations but have only won three games in their last eight. One positive side for Dallas is, Tyler Seguin has become the threat we knew he could be when given a chance. The Stars welcome Nashville on Friday before leaving for five on the road.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are 5-4-1 in their last ten and are no longer in last place in the central division. Having one less loss than the Jets, Nashville is in the sixth spot in the central division. However, the Predators trail the Coyotes by nine points out of the last wildcard spot. Thursday night the Predators will square off against Buffalo and then Friday they’ll be in Dallas.

Winnipeg Jets

Injuries have hurt the Winnipeg Jets who now basically have to win out to have a chance at the post season. Andrew Ladd received some grief over his reasons to not attend last Jets game vs the Stars but he is expected to be back Thursday. Ladd wasn’t in Monday night’s game due to the birth of his daughter. Winnipeg is on a road trip with three games in California starting Thursday in San Jose.

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