If Saturday afternoon is any indication, the Dallas Stars look like they’ll go into the playoffs on a high note ... and possibly with a division title, as well.
The Stars won their fourth consecutive game in a possible preview of the 2016 Western Conference Final by beating the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. They’ve now taken seven of their last eight contests, and with this victory, Lindy Ruff has 700 wins as an NHL coach.
Los Angeles carried a 2-1 lead into the third period despite Dallas generating 30 shots on goal through the first 40 minutes. The Stars just wouldn’t be denied, however, and overwhelmed the Kings in the final frame.
Ruff is 5th head coach in NHL history to hit 700 career wins
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 2, 2016
Bowman: 1244
Quenneville: 799^
Arbour: 782
Hitchcock: 754^
Ruff: 700^
^ active
This victory puts Dallas in an excellent position to take the Central Division title. The Stars have a four-point edge on the Blues for that top spot, with St. Louis holding a game in hand (four remaining to Dallas’ three).
Any combination of Stars points earned and Blues points lost totaling 4 would keep Blues from winning Central. Blues-Hawks very very likely
— Tom Timmermann (@tomtimm) April 2, 2016
Saturday’s decision also makes it highly likely that the Central Division’s top team will also take the top seed in the West.
Who knows ... that might be a pretty big deal if the Stars face the Kings in the playoffs.