Ok- well I blew off looking at opposing teams' (Calgary and Dallas' games remaining).
I don't have a clue who has the tie-breaker (or the first tie-breaker).
Calgary has 3 games left - in no exact order -- Colorado, Edmonton and Vancouver - and are sitting at 89 points - the most they can get is 95. I don't know if they can knock off Vancouver - so I would think the most they could get would actually end up being 93 points. They need 3 points if the Hawks get zero more before the end of the season -just to catch the Hawks in points alone.
Dallas- is sort of a mixed case - they have 87 points- but also have 6 games remaining. LA, Ana, Col, Min, Columbus, and Col again. If they take them all they could get at most 99 points. LA, and Anaheim will be tough, as will playing any team twice within a close sequence ( considering they just lost at home to the Kings and face the Kings at home next ...) -well who knows - but that makes it all interesting.
To make it to the 92 points that the Hawks currently have - they need 5 points right off the bat -they have to win 2 to even get even with how things stand now.
Now say Chicago wins another one ( TB, Mon, StL, and 2 against Detroit) -Pick one - but add 2 more points on to what both Dallas and Calgary have to do - Calgary has to basically be perfect. Dallas basically would need to win 3 of six and grab a point in one of the other three to get the 94 points.
Win one more it looks pretty good- but 2 more looks like it might be a lock, Calgary would be out and the Stars would have to get from 87 points to 96 points in 6 games to even have a look at the tie-breaker.
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In short, it doesn't really matter if you look like crap playing Columbus, as long as you get the 2 points.
ray: