In the Western Conference rat race between the Flames, Blackhawks, Canucks and Blue Jackets, it is the Canucks who play the most road games down the final stretch.

-Vancouver plays 7 of their final 11 games on the road. And just to stir the pot a bit, they have lost their last 4 straight road games.

-Calgary plays 6 of their final 11 games on the road.

-Chicago plays only 4 road games in their final 11 games. I wonder if the return of Patrick Sharp (after missing 16 games) is going to spark the Hawks now.  The Hawks only won 6 of 16 without him. Sharp returns tonight, scores 2 goals and adds an assist in a 4-1 win over the Kings. The Hawks do play the Red Wings twice in April and the Sharks, Devils and Canucks in their next 3 games.

I'm also seeing that the Hawks have been dismal against their own division this season. 4 wins and 11 losses I believe. The Hawks final 7 games are against division opponents. Huh.

-Columbus plays only 4 road games in their final 10.  They have won 8 of their last 11.

I'm not jumping to any serious conclusions here. Yet the Canucks are in tough to not only catch Calgary, but also to catch Chicago and stay ahead of Columbus. This is going to be a nail-biting, hair-greying ride in the final 11 games. Hope you have your licquor cabinets topped up, or whatever it is that you use as a crutch.

My confidence waivers. If you can figure out what Han Solo's line is in the above image....well that sums up my feelings on the matter right now, anyway.