NHL Season Recap: Blackhawks Clinch Home-Ice Advantage

Strategic Insights -

The Chicago Blackhawks clinched home-ice advantage in the first playoff round with a 5-1 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Kings. Ed Belfour made 21 saves, including a career-low goals-against average of 2.28. The team will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the series opener, a rematch of last year's first-round series.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chicago Blackhawks, who have won five consecutive games, will host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the series opener on Sunday.
  • Ed Belfour made 21 saves, including a career-low goals-against average of 2.28, in the Blackhawks' 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
  • The Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season, despite reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 1993.
  • Wayne Gretzky, who finished with career-low totals of 11 goals, 37 assists, and 48 points in 48 games, is scheduled to make about $6 million next season in the last year of his contract.
  • Jaromir Jagr became the first European player to lead the NHL in scoring, finishing with 70 points in the shortened 48-game season.
  • The Quebec Nordiques clinched top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 victory over the Hartford Whalers.
  • The Calgary Flames won the Pacific Division with a 24-17-7 record for 55 points, securing their second-consecutive division title and fifth in eight years.
  • The New York Islanders fired head coach Lorne Henning after an abbreviated season, citing philosophical differences and a need to move the franchise forward.

Statistics:

  • Ed Belfour's career-low goals-against average is 2.28.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have won five consecutive games since snapping a 13-game winless streak on April 25.
  • The Los Angeles Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
  • Wayne Gretzky is scheduled to make about $6 million next season in the last year of his contract.
  • Jaromir Jagr scored four goals and an assist in his last three games.
  • The Quebec Nordiques clinched top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 victory over the Hartford Whalers.
  • The Calgary Flames won the Pacific Division with a 24-17-7 record for 55 points.
  • The New York Islanders finished the season with a 15-28-5 record.

Sources:

  • [CP]
  • [AP]