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NHL
Blackhawks Are Far Away From True Contention In Central Division
TL;DR
The Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the NHL's Central Division for the 2025-26 season, despite an 11-point improvement. The Minnesota Wild secured their first playoff series win in 11 years, defeating the Dallas Stars 5-2.
Key points
- Chicago Blackhawks finished last in Central Division 2025-26
- Blackhawks improved by 11 points from previous season
- Minnesota Wild defeated Dallas Stars 5-2 in playoff series
- Wild's victory marked their first series win in 11 years
- Colorado Avalanche also a top contender in Central Division
Chicago BlackhawksMinnesota WildDallas StarsColorado Avalanche
The Chicago Blackhawks came in last place in the NHL's Central Division in 2025-26. They had an 11-point improvement from the year prior, but their division is the best in the league.
On Thursday night, Central Division rival Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars played the sixth game of their first-round series. Going in, the series was the story of one team (Minnesota) dominating at 5-on-5, and the other (Dallas) owning the special teams battle. This had the Wild up 3-2 in the series with a chance to clinch at home.
It was a back-and-forth affair throughout the first two and a half periods until Quinn Hughes gave the Wild a 3-2 lead at 10:38 of the final frame. The Wild added two empty net goals and won 5-2. This earned them their first series win in 11 years.
The Wild will move on to play the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, another Central Division squad. These three teams, Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, were all top 8 NHL teams, but one had to be eliminated after one round because of the playoff format.
The truth of the matter is that the Blackhawks are nowhere near these teams as currently constructed. Watching the way the Wild dominated even-strength play against the Stars, who are still an elite team, showed just how far away the Blackhawks are. Add in the Avalanche, and it makes it even bleaker.
Even the Utah Mammoth, which made the playoffs out of the Central Division through the Wild Card, is way ahead of Chicago. Utah is down 3-2 in their series to the Vegas Golden Knights, but they have shown tremendous fight against a veteran team with Stanley Cup pedigree. The series is still far from over.
Q&A
Why did the Chicago Blackhawks finish last in the Central Division?
The Chicago Blackhawks finished last due to their performance in a highly competitive Central Division, despite showing an 11-point improvement from the previous season.
What was the outcome of the Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars playoff series?
The Minnesota Wild won the series against the Dallas Stars 5-2 in Game 6, marking their first series win in 11 years.
Which teams are considered the top contenders in the Central Division?
The top contenders in the Central Division include the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche, all of which were among the top 8 NHL teams.
What does the playoff format mean for teams in the Central Division?
The playoff format means that even strong teams like the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars can face elimination early, as seen with one team being knocked out in the first round.