Avalanche Clinch Playoff Spot, Makar Chases Milestone

0:00For the NHL, it's March 20th, and here's what's going on. The Colorado Avalanche head to the United Center tonight, needing just one point against the Chicago Black Hawks to clinch the first playoff spot in the NHL. With a record of 44 wins, 13 losses and 10 overtime losses for 98 points through 67 games, they'd mark the second fastest clinch in their 82 game season history. Defenseman Kale McCarr adds extra intrigue as he chases 500 career points. Sitting at Ford 97 with 136 goals and 361 assists over 462 games he needs, three more in his next two to pass Dennis Potvin for third-fewest games by any blue liner. That milestone would put McCarr behind only Legends Bobby Orr who hit it in 396 games and Paul Coffee in 400. 22. For the Avalanche, quick clinches like this echo their past successes in 1996-97 and 2001.

1:01Lely though, Colorado stumbled with three straight losses and four defeats in five games, letting the Dallas stars close to within two points in. The Central Division, despite holding a game in hand. Chicago's middling 26 wins, 30 losses and 12 overtime losses offer a prime chance to snap the skid, lock in the playoffs, and keep the Division lead in sight.