The Dallas Stars are close to becoming the second team from the Western Conference to secure a place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Currently holding a strong second position in the Central Division, the Stars need a little help from other teams to officially confirm their playoff participation.
If Dallas wins against Seattle on Saturday, they will clinch a playoff berth if either St. Louis loses to Colorado or Calgary loses to Edmonton.
However, if Dallas earns only one point by losing in overtime or a shootout, either St. Louis or Calgary would need to lose in regulation time for the Stars to clinch.
This would position the Stars as the second Central Division team to qualify for the playoffs, following Winnipeg, and the third team in the entire league after Washington secured their spot on March 21.
Dallas is currently six points behind Winnipeg and five points ahead of Colorado in the standings. If these positions remain unchanged until the end of the season, the Stars would play against Colorado in the first round of the playoffs.
Tristan Blackwood