2011 NHL Playoffs: Forecasting the Prospects of the Central Division

The Central Division could possibly send three teams to the NHL's Western Conference playoffs next week.

The Detroit Red Wings sit comfortably atop the division, but still have to wrestle control of the second playoff spot.

The Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks also aspire for a seat at the postseason table.

The St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets will see their seasons end April 10, but may still play a part in the playoff picture.

Let's swing through the division and we what the next few weeks hold for the teams of the Central Division.

Detroit Red WIngs

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 02: Kris Draper #33 of the Detroit Red Wings congratulates teammate Justin Abdelkader #8 on scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators on April 2, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breed

Playoff Position: The Red Wings can do no worse than the three seed, with San Jose having a point advantage in the push for the second playoff spot.

Current Outlook: Detroit has been victimized by spotty play lately, including a 10-3 drubbing at the hands of the Blues in Joe Louis Arena. However, they erased a three-goal deficit to pull out an overtime win at Nashville and saw the return of Pavel Datsyuk in the team's 4-2 win over Minnesota.

Jimmy Howard also returned this weekend from an upper body injury. Johan Franzen found the net for just the second time in his last 23 games against the Wild, so there could be optimism that the winger could come out of his slump as Detroit enters the playoffs.

They're 2-4 against Nashville, so getting the second spot and a possible match-up with Anaheim (who is currently sixth and owns a 1-3 mark against Detroit) should still be motivation to hold that spot.

Spoiler Opportunities: Detroit closes the season with a home and home with Chicago. The Red Wings could keep their division rival out in the cold with a sweep.

Forecast: This is a veteran team that can go deep into the playoffs but aren't firing on all cylinders yet. Can they get on a playoff roll in the final week?

Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 26: Brenden Morrow #10 of the Dallas Stars falls in front of Shea Weber #6, Martin Erat #10, and Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators on March 26, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Bre

Playoff Position: The Predators are currently in sixth place in the West with 95 points. They are just a point behind the Kings and Coyotes in the battle for home ice in the first round.

Current Outlook: Nashville has won seven of their last nine games and has Atlanta, the Blue Jackets and the Blues to close out their regular season. Running the table is possible and could mean the difference in where they start the post-season.

Jordin Tootoo is currently day to day with a neck injury. Steve Sullivan and Cal O'Reilly don't look quite ready to return from lower body injuries.

Pekka Rinne is one of the hotter goalies around lately. The big Finn has a 2.04 goals against average and a .933 save percentage over his last 15 games. 

Spoiler Opportunities: Nashville is in with another victory, plus a Dallas loss. They don't face a playoff contender the rest of the way. The only hopes they can dash are their own.

Forecast: Who wants to tangle with a team that plays grind-it-out hockey in front of a hot goaltender? This may be the year the Predators break through to the second round.

Chicago Blackhawks

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins gets the puck past Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period on March 29, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhaw

Playoff Position: The Blackhawks are hanging onto the last playoff spot in the West with 92 points.

Current Outlook: Chicago has been shut out in three of their last eight games. Dropping a 2-0 decision to Tampa Bay Sunday probably removed any realistic hope of moving up to grab home ice in a first-round series.

The Blackhawks have been inconsistent all season, personified by the up and down efforts over the last week or two. Hanging on to beat Columbus Friday night kept Chicago in the top eight, but they will need at least two wins paired with a Dallas regulation loss to get in.

Chicago faces the reality that center Dave Bolland is probably out for the rest of the season, having made little progress from a concussion suffered March 9th. They are more optimistic about Patrick Sharp, but the winger has yet to start skating again after injuring his knee March 20th. The team was hoping to have him back for two games with Detroit to close the season. They'll know more when he resumes skating.

Spoiler Opportunities: Beating Montreal Tuesday would go a long way toward the Blackhawks getting in and keep the Canadiens from clinching a spot in the East.  Playing spoiler is probably not Chicago's primary motivation, however.

Forecast: This team is teetering on the edge of elimination. If they get in against a team that will let them use their skating ability, they could be a tough first-round opponent. Will they have the consistency to bring it in a seven-game series?

St. Louis Blues

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DETROIT, MI - MARCH 30: Chris Porter #32 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates a third-period goal with teammates Cam Janssen #55 and Adam Cracknell #79 while playing the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on March 30, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. St. Louis

Playoff Position: The Blues will be watching the Western Conference playoffs from their recliners. They are 12th in the conference with 82 points. 

Current Outlook: At least St. Louis has that 10-3 win over Detroit to bring a smile as they watch the playoffs.

The Blues saw the return of forward Vladimir Sobotka, who has five points in his last three games.

Also returning this weekend were left wing Alexander Steen (ankle) and defenseman Barret Jackman (finger).

Spoiler Opportunities: The Blues have a chance to put a damper on Chicago's post-season hopes on Wednesday night, then close their season in Nashville Saturday.

Forecast: Knocking the Blackhawks out of the playoff and ending the season without any serious injuries if the best St. Louis can hope for.

Columbus Blue Jackets

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 22: Scottie Upshall #9, Sami Lepisto #4 and Antoine Vermette #50 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skate against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 22, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Blue Jackets 5-4 i

Playoff Position: The Blue Jackets are not in playoff contention. They are 13th in the West with 81 points.

Current Outlook: Losers of seven of their last eight games snuffed out any dying embers for Columbus.  Rick Nash will likely be back for the last three games.

Forward Kristen Huselius was activated this weekend and will see action this week.

Spoiler Opportunities: The Blue Jackets could help knock Dallas out of the playoffs Tuesday night and could also be a thorn in the home-ice hopes of the Predators Friday and Buffalo Saturday.

Forecast: The only joy Columbus could have is the satisfaction of keeping a team from reaching the playoffs and making that team as miserable as they are.

How Many Central Teams Get In?

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 22: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Black Hawks skates after a loose puck in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Hawks defeated the Wings 4-1. (Photo by Claus A

Right now, the Predators seem likely to join Detroit in the playoffs. Chicago, provided they can beat back the Blues and find another two or three points after that, control their playoff destiny as well.

With a little movement, we could see Central Division teams facing off in the first round, the most likely scenarios being Detroit taking on Nashville or Chicago.

How will it all turn out? We find out in a few days.