The Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers came into game 73 of the season tonight in two very different positions.
For Dallas, they have a slim (and fluctuating) lead on those teams directly behind them out West competing for the two Wild Card positions for the playoffs. They’ve also got a slim (and fluctuating) margin between themselves and third in the Central as well. In other words, while their current chances to make the playoffs in most statistical models floated in the hockey social media world have them at 90%+ to get in, every point is still crucial: A) for not allowing that 10% or so to become the reality on the other side of the coin and, B) for playoff positioning — and first round opponent.