CHICAGO (AP) After a disappointing and erratic regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks had a final chance to make their own way into the playoffs. Instead, they needed some help to get back to the postseason for a third straight year.
On their home ice, the defending Stanley Cup champs needed one point Sunday against their most fierce rival, the Detroit Red Wings, and they were in. Didn't get it.
The Red Wings carved out a 4-3 victory and put Chicago into a wait-and-watch mode with its collective fingers crossed. And the Blackhawks got the assistance they had to have Sunday night when the Minnesota Wild beat Dallas 5-3, giving Chicago the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"I've never been more excited after a hockey game in my life that I didn't participate in," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday night after watching the Wild pull out the victory
"I was acting like a 2-year-old. . . . It was unbelievable. I was shocked, surprised the way the whole game unfolded. I can't express my jubilation, enthusiasm and excitement."
Wild 5, Stars 3
In St. Paul, Minn., Antti Miettinen's goal early in the third period against his former team gave the Wild the lead and kept Dallas out of the playoffs, with a season-ending win.
Devils 3, Bruins 2
In Newark, N.J., Vladimir Zharkov and Alexander Urbom scored third-period goals and the Devils topped playoff-bound Boston in what was Jacques Lemaire's final game as New Jersey's coach.
Avalanche 4, Oilers 3
In Denver, David Jones knocked in a rebound during a power play 3:57 into overtime and Colorado finished the season on a winning note by beating Edmonton.
Penguins 5, Thrashers 2
In Atlanta, Tyler Kennedy scored the first of Pittsburgh's four second-period goals, reserve goalie Brent Johnson won his fourth straight decision.
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