The NHL playoff picture doesn't currently include the Dallas Stars, the ninth-seed in the Western Conference if the season ended today, but that doesn't mean that the playoffs aren't still a distinct possibility.
SBNation.com's Travis Hughes broke down the NHL playoff picture today and noted that even though the Stars are out of the playoffs as of tonight, it wouldn't be unheard of to see them make it back in before the end of the season.
No. 9 Dallas Stars: Two points back with three to play and two teams to potentially catch? Crazier things have happened.
The Stars have a pretty favorable schedule the rest of the way, playing the Colorado Avalance in a home-and-home series beginning Thursday before finishing the season in the Great White North in a game with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Both the Avalanche and Wild have been eliminated from the playoffs so the Stars will be the only team in their last three games with anything left to play for -- the playoffs.
The two teams in front of the Stars are the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks, both of which are tied with 93 points apiece and a couple of tough games coming up against playoff opponents for both teams.