Final Weekend of the NHL & AHL Regular Seasons

As we get ready to end the regular seasons in the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League. We will take a look at the final weekend schedule's and what the current playoff matchups look like and who is still alive for playoff contention this weekend. Look for the playoff schedules to come out in both leagues and the opening round will be getting underway probably either on April 14 or 15 next week.

Current NHL Playoff Matchups.

Western Conference: All Teams have clinched.

Eastern Conference: NY Rangers is 1 point back of Boston & Montreal and is tied with Philadelphia for the 8th and final playoff spot.


Current Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Matchups.

#1 Washington Capitals VS. #8 Philadelphia Flyers

#2 New Jersey Devils VS. #7 Montreal Canadiens

#3 Buffalo Sabres VS. #6 Boston Bruins

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins VS. #5 Ottawa Senators



Current Western Conference Quarterfinal Matchups

#1 Chicago Blackhawks VS. #8 Colorado Avalanche

#2 San Jose Sharks VS. #7 Nashville Predators

#3 Vancouver Canucks VS. #6 Los Angeles Kings

#4 Phoenix Coyotes VS. #5 Detroit Red Wings


Final Weekend Schedule

4/10

Carolina Hurricanes VS. Boston Bruins 12:00 PM

Edmonton Oilers VS. Los Angeles Kings 3:00 PM

Toronto Maple Leafs VS. Montreal Canadians 6:00 PM

Buffalo Sabres VS. Ottawa Senators 6:00 PM

NY Islanders VS. New Jersey Devils 6:00 PM

Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Atlanta Thrashers 6:00 PM

Florida Panthers VS. Tampa Bay Lighting 6:30 PM

St. Louis Blues VS. Nashville Predators 7:00 PM

Dallas Stars VS. Minnesota Wild 7:00 PM

Calgary Flames VS. Vancouver Canucks 9:00 PM

Phoenix Coyotes VS. San Jose Sharks 9:30 PM


4/11

Boston Bruins VS. Washington Capitals 11:00 AM

NY Rangers VS. Philadealphia Flyers 2:00 PM

Detroit Red Wings VS. Chicago Blackhawks 2:00 PM

Los Angeles Kings VS. Colorado Avalanche 2:00 PM

Buffalo Sabres VS. New Jersey Devils 4:00 PM

Pittsburgh Penguins VS. NY Islanders 4:00 PM

Tampa Bay Lighting VS. Florida Panthers 4:00 PM

Edmonton Oilers VS. Anaheim Ducks 7:00 PM



Current AHL Playoff Matchups

Atlantic Division: Bridgeport and Lowell are tied for the 4th and final playoff spot in the Division. However, they currently both have better records then 4th place Norfolk in the East to force a possible crossover.

East Division: The Top 3 Spots have been clinched, Norfolk needs to overtake either Bridgeport or Lowell to get the 4th and final spot and to stop an Atlantic Division Crossover.

North Division: All Spots have been clinched, Hamilton and Rochester will have home ice in the 1st round. Abbotsford & Manitoba will fight it out for 3rd.

West Division: Both 1st Round Matchups are set. Chicago will play Milwaukee, while Texas will play Rockford


Current Atlantic Division Semifinal Matchups

#1 Worcester Sharks VS. #4 Bridgeport Sound Tigers

#2 Portland Pirates VS. #3 Manchester Monarchs*


Current East Division Playoff Matchups

#1 Hershey Bears VS. #4 Lowell Devils

#2 Albany River Rats VS. #3 W-B/Scranton Penguins*


Current North Division Playoff Matchups

#1 Hamilton Bulldogs VS. #4 Manitoba Moose

#2 Rochester Americans VS. #3 Abbotsford Heat


Current West Division Playoff Matchups

#1 Chicago Wolves VS. #4 Milwaukee Admirals*

#2 Texas Stars VS. #3 Rockford Icehogs*

*Confirmed Matchup


Final Weekend Schedule

4/10

Hamilton Bulldogs VS. Toronto Marlies 3:00 PM

Albany River Rats VS. Adirondack Phantoms 6:00 PM

Manchester Monarchs VS. Bridgeport Sound Tigers 6:00 PM

Springfield Falcons VS. Hartford Wolfpack 6:00 PM

Lowell Devils VS. Portland Pirates 6:00 PM

W-B/Scranton Penguins VS. Binghamton Senators 6:05 PM

Providence Bruins VS. Worcester Sharks 6:05 PM

Hershey Bears VS. Norfolk Admirals 6:15 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Lake Erie Monsters 6:30 PM

Rochester Americans VS. Syracuse Crunch 6:30 PM

Grand Rapids Griffins VS. Chicago Wolves 7:00 PM

Rockford Icehogs VS. San Antonio Rampage 7:00 PM

Peoria Rivemen VS. Manitoba Moose 7:30 PM

Texas Stars VS. Houston Aeros 7:35 PM


4/11

Hartford Wolfpack VS. Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2:00 PM

Manchester Monarchs VS. Springfield Falcons 2:00 PM

Binghamton Senators VS. W-B/Scranton Penguins 2:05 PM

Providence Bruins VS. Lowell Devils 3:00 PM

Worcester Sharks VS. Portland Pirates 3:00 PM

Houston Aeros VS. San Antonio Rampage 3:00 PM

Abbotsford Heat VS. Toronto Marlies 3:00 PM

Grand Rapids Griffins VS. Milwaukee Admirals 5:00 PM

I'm attending the Dallas Stars VS. Anaheim Ducks Game Tonight

After all the talk about the Dallas Stars Home Finale tonight. I'm going to be at tonight's game to possibly see Mike Modano's final home game tonight as the Stars will be ending the home schedule to the 2009-2010 season against the Stars Pacific Division Rivals in the Anaheim Ducks. After tonight, just the road finale against the Minnesota Wild remains and that will be it for this season.

Just like I mentioned in my Mike Modano commentary, treat this like it is Modano's final home game tonight. I would be expecting to hear an announcements that either he is retiring or if he does plan to comeback for the 2010-2011 season at the age of 40 to do it probably in between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.

He would never make people wait for a decision this big like Brett Favre did over the last couple of years, throughout his career, he's not that type of player or person.

In addition to Mike Modano, this could also be the final games of Marty Turco as his contract is about to expire and they starting to look at possible candidates to back up Kari Lehtonen who's been great since he came from Atlanta in the trade just before the NHL Trade Deadline and the Olympic Break this season.

Matt Climie who's been with the Texas Stars (AHL) for most of the season was in the game against Chicago on Tuesday. This team is probably going to look very different even if Mike Modano does decide to come back for next season

What a fun night this should be at the AAC to end the Dallas Stars Regular Season this year.

Professional Scores 3/20-22

Here's a look at Professional Scores from March 20-22 from the action I missed when my grandmother was in the hospital again last weekend in Tulsa.

The Central Hockey League Regular Season came to an end on Saturday Night. I will post the Playoff Matchups and Series Previews as we get closer to the Conference Semifinals. The Best of 3 Play In Round began last night.

National Hockey League

March 20

Carolina Hurricanes 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (OT) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021057

Ottawa Senators 4 Dallas Stars 5 (2-2, 1-2, 1-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021058

Dallas Gamestory: http://stars.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009021058

Montreal Canadiens 2 Toronto Maple Leafs 3 (SO) (1-1, 0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021059

St. Louis Blues 1 New Jersey Devils 0 (1-0, 0-0, 0-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021060

Philadelphia Flyers 2 Atlanta Thrashers 5 (1-2, 1-1, 0-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021061

Buffalo Sabres 3 Florida Panthers 1 (1-0, 1-1, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021062

Washington Capitals 3 Tampa Bay Lighting 1 (2-1, 0-0, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021063

Columbus Blue Jackets 0 Nashville Predators 1 (OT) (0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021064

Chicago Blackhawks 4 Phoenix Coyotes 5 (SO) (1-0, 1-1, 2-3, 0-0, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021065

Detroit Red Wings 4 Vancouver Canucks 3 (OT) (0-2, 3-0, 0-1, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021066

NY Islanders 0 Los Angeles Kings 1 (0-1, 0-0, 0-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021067


March 21

NY Rangers 1 Boston Bruins 2 (0-0, 0-1, 1-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021068

Calgary Flames 3 Minnesota Wild 4 (1-2, 1-2, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021069

Buffalo Sabres 5 Carolina Hurricanes 3 (1-0, 4-1, 0-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021070

Tampa Bay Lighting 2 Florida Panthers 5 (1-3, 0-0, 1-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021071

Nashville Predators 3 St. Louis Blues 2 (0-1, 1-0, 2-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021072

Atlanta Thrashers 3 Philadelphia Flyers 1 (2-0, 0-0, 1-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021073

Phoenix Coyotes 3 Dallas Stars 2 (SO) (1-0, 1-1, 0-1, 0-0, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021074

Dallas Gamestory: http://stars.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009021074

San Jose Sharks 1 Edmonton Oilers 5 (0-2, 0-1, 1-2)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021075

Colorado Avalanche 2 Anaheim Ducks 5 (0-2, 0-2, 2-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021076


March 22

Pittsburgh Penguins 1 Detroit Red Wings 3 (0-1, 1-1, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021077

Ottawa Senators 2 Montreal Canadiens 0 (1-0, 0-0, 1-0)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021078

Colorado Avalanche 3 Los Angeles Kings 4 (OT) (1-1, 0-1, 2-1, 0-1)
www.nhl.com/ice/gamecenter.htm?id=2009021079


American Hockey League

March 20

Hamilton Bulldogs 3 Toronto Marlies 4 (SO) (0-1, 1-0, 2-2, 0-0, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007067

Manchester Monarchs 4 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3 (OT) (2-1, 1-1, 0-1, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007058

Springfield Falcons 4 Hartford Wolfpack 3 (2-0, 2-2, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007060

Portland Pirates 2 Lowell Devils 3 (OT) (1-1, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007063

Albany River Rats 1 Binghamton Senators 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007057

Rochester Americans 4 W-B/Scranton Penguins 5 (1-4, 2-1, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007068

Providence Bruins 1 Worcester Sharks 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007069

Adirondack Phantoms 1 Norfolk Admirals 3 (1-1, 0-1, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007064

Abbotsford Heat 2 Lake Erie Monsters 3 (0-2, 2-1, 0-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007062

Hershey Bears 6 Syracuse Crunch 2 (1-1, 2-0, 3-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007066

San Antonio Rampage 3 Chicago Wolves 6 (3-1, 0-2, 0-3)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007059

San Antonio Gamestory: www.sarampage.com/news/index.html?article_id=867

Texas Stars 2 Rockford Icehogs 0 (1-0, 1-0, 0-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007065

Texas Gamestory: www.texasstarshockey.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=232

Milwaukee Admirals 3 Houston Aeros 1 (0-0, 1-0, 2-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007061

Houston Gamestory: www.aeros.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=2538


March 21

Abbotsford Heat 1 Toronto Marlies 2 (OT) (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007080

Binghamton Senators 3 Albany River Rats 2 (1-1, 0-0, 2-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007070

Springfield Falcons 1 Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 (OT) (0-1, 0-0, 1-0, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007071

Providence Bruins 3 Hartford Wolfpack 4 (OT) (0-1, 2-0, 1-2, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007073

Grand Rapids Griffins 0 Manitoba Moose 4 (0-2, 0-0, 0-2)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007077

San Antonio Rampage 2 Chicago Wolves 3 (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 0-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007072

San Antonio Gamestory: www.sarampage.com/news/index.html?article_id=868

Worcester Sharks 6 Lowell Devils 5 (SO) (1-1, 4-2, 0-2, 0-0, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007076

Texas Stars 4 Peoria Rivermen 2 (2-0, 1-1, 1-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007078

Texas Gamestory: www.texasstarshockey.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=234

Manchester Monarchs 1 Portland Pirates 2 (0-0, 0-1, 1-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007079

Milwaukee Admirals 2 Houston Aeros 1 (OT) (1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007075

Houston Gamestory: www.aeros.com/news/news/index.html?article_id=2541

Adirondack Phantoms 4 Hershey Bears 3 (0-1, 1-1, 3-1)
http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007074


Central Hockey League

March 20

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 2 Texas Brahmas 4 (0-3, 1-0, 1-1)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067895

Bossier-Shreveport Gamestory: www.mudbugshockey.com/news/recent/index.html?article_id=662

Texas Gamestory: www.brahmas.com/news/articles/index.html?article_id=1315

Rapid City Rush 2 Odessa Jackalopes 4 (1-2, 1-1, 0-1)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067896

Odessa Gamestory: www.jackalopes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:03story18&catid=69:newstory&Itemid=119

Tulsa Oilers 2 Mississippi Riverkings 5 (1-2, 1-2, 0-1)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067897

Tulsa Gamestory: www.tulsaoilers.com/news/oilers-news/thats-all-folks/

Amarillo Gorillas 3 Allen Americans 5 (1-2, 2-1, 0-2)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067898

Amarillo Gorillas: www.amarillogorillas.com/media/news.php?id=367

Allen Americans: www.allenamericans.com/articles/news.asp?articleid=274

Wichita Thunder 4 Laredo Bucks 7 (0-4, 2-1, 2-2)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067899

Laredo Gamestory: www.laredobucks.com/home/headlines/bucksarchives/bucks_win_finale.html

Corpus Christi Icerays 6 Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 3 (2-1, 1-1, 3-1)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067900

Corpus Christi Gamestory: www.goicerays.com/news/headlines/index.html?article_id=942

Colorado Eagles 3 Arizona Sundogs 2 (0-1, 2-0, 1-1)
www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/boxscore.html?gameid=1067901


End of Regular Season

Corpus Christi Icerays clinch the Final Playoff Spot in the Southern Conference.

The Playoffs begun last night. The Play In Round is a best of 3 while the Rest of the Playoffs are a best of 7.


Northern Conference

Play In Round

#4 Mississippi Riverkings VS. #5 Missouri Mavericks


Conference Semifinals

#1 Rapid City Rush VS. Play In Round Winner

#2 Colorado Eagles VS. #3 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs


Southern Conference

Play In Round

#4 Texas Brahmas VS. #5 Corpus Christi Icerays


Southern Conference

#1 Odessa Jackalopes VS. Play In Round Winner

#2 Allen Americans VS. #3 Laredo Bucks

Final Week of the Central Hockey League Regular Season

As the Central Hockey League season will be entering the final week of the regular season. Here's the final week schedule and the playoff races of the different teams.

Here's what the Teams have clinched.

Northern Conference

1. Rapid City Rush, Clinched 1st Round Home Ice

2. Colorado Eagles, Clinched Playoff Spot, Needs 1 PT to clinch 1st Round Home Ice

3. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Clinched Playoff Spot, Needs 3 PTS to Avoid Play In Round

4. Mississippi Riverkings, Would be in Play In Round, Leads Missouri by 2 PTS and Tulsa by 3 PTS

5. Missouri Mavericks, Would be in Play In Round, Trails Mississippi by 2 PTS but leads Tulsa by 1 PT to stay in Play In Round

6. Tulsa Oilers, Currently out of the Playoffs, Trails Missouri by 1 PT for 5th and Final Playoff Spot

7. Wichita Thunder, Eliminated from Playoff Race


Southern Conference

1. Odessa Jackalopes, Clinched 1st Round Home Ice, Needs 4 PTS to Clinch Southern Conference Home Ice

2. Allen Americans, Clinched 1st Round Home Ice, Should be the #2 Seed

3. Texas Brahmas, Needs 1 PT to Clinch Playoff Spot, Looking to fight off Laredo to Avoid Conference Play In Round

4. Laredo Bucks, Needs 3 PTS to Clinch Playoff Spot, Trails Texas by 2 PTS to Avoid Conference Play In Round

5. Corpus Christi Icerays, Currently holds down 5th and Final Playoff Spot, Leads RGV by 3 PTS for 5th and Final Playoff Spot,

6. RG Valley Killer Bees, Trails the Corpus Christi Icerays by 3 PTS for 5th and Final Playoff Spot,

7. Arizona Sundogs, Elinmated from Playoff Race

8. Amarillo Gorillas, Elinmated from Playoff Race

Here's a look at what the Central Hockey League Playoff Series would look like right now.

Northern Conference

Play in Round

#4 Mississippi Riverkings VS. #5 Missouri Mavericks


Conference Semifinals

#1 Rapid City Rush VS. Play In Winner

#2 Colorado Eagles VS. #3 Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs


Southern Conference

Play In Round

#4 Laredo Bucks VS. #5 Corpus Christi Icerays


Conference Semifinals

#1 Odessa Jackalopes VS. Play In Round Winner

#2 Allen Americans VS. #3 Texas Brahmas


Here's a look at the Final Week of the Central Hockey League Regular Season ends on March 20.

3/12

Texas Brahmas VS. Mississippi Riverkings 7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Missouri Mavericks 7:05 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Amarillo Gorillas 7:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 7:35 PM

Allen Americans VS. Rapid City Rush 8:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Colorado Eagles 8:05 PM


3/13

Amarillo Gorillas VS. Wichita Thunder 7:05 PM

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Mississippi Riverkings 7:05 PM

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees VS. Corpus Christi Icerays 7:05 PM

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Missouri Mavericks 7:05 PM

Arizona Sundogs VS. Laredo Bucks 7:30 PM

Allen Americans VS. Rapid City Rush 8:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Colorado Eagles 8:05 PM


3/14

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Amarillo Gorillas 4:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 4:05 PM

Laredo Bucks VS. Texas Brahmas 4:05 PM

Missouri Mavericks VS. Wichita Thunder 5:05 PM


3/16

Mississippi Riverkings VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 7:05 PM

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees VS. Corpus Christi Icerays 7:05 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Rapid City Rush 7:35 PM


3/17

Odessa Jackalopes VS. Laredo Bucks 7:00 PM

Missouri Mavericks VS. Allen Americans 7:30 PM

Texas Brahmas VS. Rapid City Rush 7:35 PM

Colorado Eagles VS. Arizona Sundogs 8:05 PM


3/18

Tulsa Oilers VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 7:05 PM


3/19

Laredo Bucks VS. Odessa Jackalopes 7:05 PM

Missouri Mavericks VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 7:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Mississippi Riverkings 7:05 PM

Rapid City Rush VS. Amarillo Gorillas 7:05 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Allen Americans 7:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 7:35 PM

Colorado Eagles VS. Arizona Sundogs 8:05 PM


3/20

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Texas Brahmas 7:05 PM

Rapid City Rush VS. Odessa Jackalopes 7:05 PM

Tulsa Oilers VS. Mississippi Riverkings 7:05 PM

Amarillo Gorillas VS. Allen Americans 7:30 PM

Wichita Thunder VS. Laredo Bucks 7:30 PM

Corpus Christi Icerays VS. Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 7:35 PM

Colorado Eagles VS. Arizona Sundogs 8:05 PM

Dallas Stars 6 Game Homestand: Make or Break Time

The Dallas Stars are currently in 11th place and starting to fall behind the pace of the teams that are in the battle for the final 2 playoff spots that the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames currently hold down. For the Stars, the next 6 games will make or break their season as the team has had a strong home record at 18-8-5 while being 6 games below .500 on the road this season.

I think that the Stars need to get at least 9 out of a possible 12 points (4-1-1) during the 6 games to keep up in the Conference Standings, and the team needs to play the best hockey of the regular season. During the teams 3 game road trip to Washington, Pittsburgh and Buffalo that ended with a 1-2 record that where the Stars ended a 13 game home winning streak which was one of the longest home winning streaks in the NHL in the last 15 years.

In the other 2 games, the Stars got crushed by the Penguins as a part of a really bad restart after the Olympic Break where they got outscored 17-5 in 3 games that also included games against St. Louis and Los Angeles. Then against Buffalo, the game started as offense showcase as the game was tied 3-3 at the 1st intermission, in the 2nd and 3rd periods, goals by Austrian Superstar Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy to pull away to win 5-3.

Still, the Stars are giving up way to many shots since the return from the Olympic Break, as the Stars giving up more and more shots during the games blew up against Washington and Buffalo as the team gave up around 50 shots in both of those games.

Despite going down 2-0 at the 2nd intermission against Washington, Stars goals by Brad Richards, Trevor Daley and James Neal all in 6 minutes put the Stars up 3-2. With 3:16 left in the game, Alex Ovechkin scored his 2nd of the night to tie the game at 3-3 to send the game to the SO where SO Goals by Richards and Eriksson to give the team the 4-3 win.

This win was important to give them more confidence to play well on the road on the very hard road trip. With the Stars road woes this season, this 6 game homestand are all against teams that are in different battles for the playoffs. Regardless if it's for another division title, home ice advantage or just getting into the playoffs as well.

It will begin and end with Pacific Division Rivals with the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes who currently sit 4th and 5th in the Conference and would play each other in the 1st Round with Phoenix having home ice, with San Jose well on their way to winning the Pacific Division and fighting it out for both Conference Home Ice and the Presidents Cup Champions for Home Ice throughout the playoffs.

These teams are looking for 4th place as the Pacific Division Surprises are looking to gain home ice if they have to faceoff in the Conference Quarterfinals. In recent years, games in Los Angeles and Phoenix this time of year really didn't mean that much but for both teams, this year is about reviving teams that have been struggling for a long time.

For Phoenix especially, it's about proving to the NHL that they are back after falling into bankrupt and almost moving to Hamilton, Ontario over the off-season last summer.

Next up is the Colorado Avalanche as one of the biggest surprises in the Western Conference this season who currently sit in 6th place and are 5 points up on Nashville and Calgary and are looking to complete the surprise season to get back into the playoffs this season.

On 3/18 & 20 are the two Eastern Conference Teams as Philadelphia Flyers and the Ottawa Senators as the teams are currently in 5th and 6th as the Senators are looking to overtake the Buffalo Sabres for the Atlantic Division Title and a top 3 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

For the Flyers in 6th place, they looking to stay away from the gridlock of the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins from 7th and 8th, more importantly, making sure teams like Atlanta, the NY Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lighting who are separated from 9th to 11th and looking to chase down the top 8 in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Like I posted earlier, the Stars need to get 9 or more points in this homestand to keep up with 7th place Nashville, 8th place Calgary and 9th Place Nashville who are separated by just 1 point and to start putting the St. Louis Blues who are in 10th place at 71 points to overtake them in the Western Conference Playoff Races.

If they don't, then you can kiss the Stars Playoff hopes goodbye as the team hasn't been able to prove to win tough games on the road throughout the season. I hope Marc Crawford is telling the players how huge this homestand is because of the position they in and how many points they need to make up.

With just 16 games left in the regular season, it's getting harder and harder to make up these points as the Stars are done against teams that they are battling with the exception of 1 road game left against Nashville on March 23 and St. Louis on April 3 which is 2 days after the homestand comes to an end.

It's now or never, play like theirs no tomorrow in this series or face the prospect of a bad first in Dallas Stars history, by missing the playoffs in back to back years since the team moved to Dallas in 1993.

Here's the Dallas Stars Remaining Schedule

3/12: VS. Los Angeles 7:30 PM FSSW

3/14: VS. Colorado 2:00 PM No T.V.

3/16: VS. San Jose 7:30 PM FSSW

3/18: VS. Philadelphia 7:30 PM FSSW

3/20: VS. Ottawa 1:00 PM FSSW

3/21: VS. Phoenix 6:00 PM FSSW

3/23: @ Nashville 7:00 PM KDFI My 27

2/25: @ San Jose 9:30 PM NHL Network CA & US, FSSW

3/27: @ Los Angeles 9:30 PM FSSW

3/29: @ Anaheim 9:00 PM NHL Network CA, FSSW

3/31: VS. San Jose 7:30 PM KDFI My 27

4/2: VS. Edmonton 7:30 PM FSSW

4/3: @ St. Louis 7:00 PM KDFI My 27

4/6: VS. Chicago 7:30 PM FSSW

4/8: VS. Anaheim 7:30 PM FSSW

4/10: @ Minnesota 7:00 PM FSSW

Major Junior Final Weekend: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

In the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, 2 spots are left up for grabs among 3 teams as the Val-dor Foures, Lewiston Maineiacs and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar are the last place teams as they looking to avoid to miss out on the playoffs with the Halifax Mooseheads this season.

In the QMJHL, the first round is a Divisional Round where the #1 VS. #4 and the #2 VS. #3 seeds playing each other. The only exception is in the Atlantic Division where the 5th place Team (Acadie-Bathurst Titans) will cross over and will play the Division Champions to replace the 4th place team that doesn't make the playoffs.


Here's the current QMJHL Rankings.


West Division

1. Rouyn-Nornda Huskies

2. Montreal De Junior

3. Gatineau Olympiques

4. Val-dor Foures


Central Division

1. Drummondville Voltigeurs

2. Victoriaville Tigers

3. Shawinigan Cataractes

4. Lewiston Maineiacs


East Division

1. Quebec City Ramparts

2. Rimouski Oceanic

3. Chicoutimi Sagueneens

4. Acadie-Bathurst Titans


Atlantic Division

1. St. John Seadogs

2. Moncton Wildcats

3. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

4. P.E.I. Rockets


Final Weekend Schedule in the QMJHL


3/11

P.E.I. Rockets VS. Moncton Wildcats 5:00 PM

Halifax Mooseheads VS. Acadie-Bathurst Titans 5:30 PM


3/12

Victoriaville Tigers VS. Lewiston Maineiacs 6:00 PM

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles VS. Moncton Wildcats 5:00 PM

St. John Seadogs VS. P.E.I. Rockets 5:00 PM

Rimouski Oceanic VS. Quebec City Ramparts 6:00 PM

Halifax Mooseheads VS. Acadie-Bathurst Titans 5:30 PM

Baie-Comeau Drakkar VS. Chicoutimi Sagueneens 6:30 PM

Val-dor Foures VS. Drummondville Voltigeurs 6:30 PM

Gatineau Olympiques VS. Shawinigan Cataractes 6:30 PM

Rouyn-Nornda Huskies VS. Montreal De Junior 6:35 PM


3/14

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles VS. Acadie-Bathurst Titans 2:00 PM

Lewiston Maineiacs VS. Drummondville Voltigeurs 3:00 PM

Val-dor Foures VS. Gatineau Olympiques 3:00 PM

Halifax Mooseheads VS. P.E.I. Rockets 2:00 PM

Baie-Comeau Drakkar VS. Quebec City Ramparts 3:00 PM

Chicoutimi Sagueneens VS. Rimouski Oceanic 3:00 PM

Victoriaville Tigers VS. Shawinigan Cataractes 3:00 PM

Rouyn-Nornda Huskies VS. Montreal De Junior 3:05 PM

St. John Seadogs VS. Moncton Wildcats 6:00 PM

Major Junior Final Weekend: Ontario Hockey League

Like the WHL & QMJHL, the Ontario Hockey League will be ending its regular season this weekend.

The Western Conference Playoff Teams have been determined, while the Eastern Conference still has 4 teams fighting it out for 3 spots as Peterborough, Niagara, Sudbury & Oshawa hae work to do still to clinch their playoff spots and to move on to the post season to play a team like Barrie or Mississauga in the opening round of the OHL Playoffs which starts on March 19.

Here's the current Road to the OHL Playoffs Update: www.ontariohockeyleague.com/road-to-the-2010-ohl-playoffs-p141327

Here's the current rankings and final weekend schedule.


Eastern Conference

1. Barrie Colts

2. Ottawa 67s

3. Mississauga St. Micheals Majors

4. Kingston Frontenacs

5. Brampton Battalion

6. Peterborough Petes

7. Niagara Icedogs

8. Sudbury Wolves


Western Conference

1. Windsor Spitfires

2. London Knights

3. Kitchener Rangers

4. Plymouth Whalers

5. Sault St. Marie Greyhounds

6. Erie Otters

7. Saginaw Spirit

8. Guelph Storm


Final Weekend Schedule


3/11

Sudbury Wolves VS. Peterborough Petes 6:00 PM

Plymouth Whalers VS. Windsor Spitfires 6:05 PM

Brampton Battalion VS. Barrie Colts 6:30 PM

Mississauga St. Micheals Majors VS. Niagara Icedogs 6:30 PM

Guelph Storm VS. Sarnia Sting 6:30 PM


3/12

Windsor Spitfires VS. London Knights 6:00 PM

Barrie Colts VS. Brampton Battalion 6:30 PM

Erie Otters VS. Guelph Storm 6:30 PM

Sudbury Wolves VS. Kingston Frontenacs 6:30 PM

Owen Sound Attack VS. Kitchener Rangers 6:30 PM

Belleville Bulls VS. Mississauga St. Micheals Majors 6:30 PM

Oshawa Generals VS. Ottawa 67s 6:30 PM

Plymouth Whalers VS. Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 6:30 PM


3/13

London Knights VS. Erie Otters 6:00 PM

Belleville Bulls VS. Niagara Icedogs 6:00 PM

Oshawa Generals VS. Peterborough Petes 6:00 PM

Kitchener Rangers VS. Saginaw Spirit 6:11 PM

Kingston Frontenacs VS. Barrie Colts 6:30 PM

Guelph Storm VS. Owen Sound Attack 6:30 PM

Windsor Spitfires VS. Sarnia Sting 6:30 PM


3/14

Kingston Frontenacs VS. Brampton Battalion 1:00 PM

Niagara Icedogs VS. Mississauga St. Micheals Majors 1:00 PM

Sudbury Wolves VS. Ottawa 67s 1:00 PM

Saginaw Spirit VS. Plymouth Whalers 1:00 PM

Kitchener Rangers VS. Sault St. Marie Greyhounds 6:00 PM

Major Junior Final Weekend: Western Hockey League

Here's a look at the schedule for the final week of the 3 Major Junior Leagues as the playoffs for the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will begin on March 14. The WHL & OHL have the top 8 teams from both conferences make the playoff (Same Format as the NHL), while the QMJHL has only the bottom 2 teams don't make the playoffs.

Here's the schedule and current rankings for the Western Hockey League.

Eastern Conference

1. Calgary Hitmen

2. Brandon Wheat Kings

3. Saskatoon Blades

4. Medicine Hat Tigers

5. Kootenay Ice

6. Red Deer Rebels

7. Moose Jaw Warriors

8. Swift Current Broncos


Western Conference

1. Tri-City Americans

2. Vancouver Giants

3. Everett Silvertips

4. Spokane Chiefs

5. Portland Winterhawks

6. Kelowna Rockets

7. Kamloops Blazers

8. Chilliwack Bruins


Here's the Final Week Schedule for the Western Hockey League

3/12

Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Regina Pats 7:00 PM

Prince Albert Raiders VS. Saskatoon Blades 7:05 PM

Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Calgary Hitmen 8:00 PM

Medicine Hat Tigers VS. Lethbridge Hurricanes 8:00 PM

Kootenay Ice VS. Red Deer Rebels 8:30 PM

Portland Winterhawks VS. Chilliwack Bruins 9:00 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kamloops Blazers 9:00 PM

Tri-City Americans VS. Spokane Chiefs 9:00 PM

Kelowna Rockets VS. Vancouver Giants 9:30 PM

Seattle Thunderbirds VS. Everett Silvertips 9:35 PM


3/13

Saskatoon Blades VS. Prince Albert Raiders 7:00 PM

Regina Pats VS. Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30 PM

Moose Jaw Warriors VS. Swift Current Broncos 7:30 PM

Edmonton Oil Kings VS. Kootenay Ice 8:00 PM

Lethbridge Hurricanes VS. Medicine Hat Tigers 8:30 PM

Prince George Cougars VS. Kelwona Rockets 9:00 PM

Kamloops Blazers VS. Vancouver Giants 9:00 PM

Chilliwack Bruins VS. Everett Silvertips 9:05 PM

Portland Winterhawks VS. Seattle Thunderbirds 9:05 PM

Spokane Chiefs VS. Tri-City Americans 9:05 PM


3/14

Red Deer Rebels VS. Calgary Hitmen 1:00 PM

Vancouver Giants VS. Seattle Thunderbirds 7:05 PM

Swift Current Broncos VS. Moose Jaw Warriors 8:00 PM

Everett Silvertips VS. Spokane Chiefs 8:00 PM