The Blackhawks capped a shaky season by backing into the playoffs, thanks to a Minnesota team that won't even be there:
- Years from now, someone will look at the 2010-11 standings and see that the Blackhawks finished in eighth place in the Western Conference and secured a postseason berth with 97 points.
What those numbers won't reveal is the heart-thumping, roller-coaster ride the Stanley Cup champions took to reach the playoffs and a first-round meeting with the Canucks.
The Hawks took the difficult path after failing to control their destiny and falling to the Red Wings 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at the United Center. A stunned, disconsolate group in the dressing room could only hope the Wild — a team playing out the string of a disappointing season — could somehow rise up to defeat the hard-charging Stars later that night in Minnesota.
All Minnesota drivers get a play this week. Good luck Blackhawks.