Loss to Avalanche officially eliminates Blackhawks from playoff contention

There will be no Stanley Cup parade in Chicago this year.

For the first time since 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks will not take part in the Stanley Cup playoffs, following Tuesday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

The defeat kept the Blackhawks at 69 points. With just eight games remaining, it means Chicago could only reach 85 points, and that's if the team won out the rest of its schedule.

As it stands, the Anaheim Ducks hold the West's second wild-card spot with 86 points.

The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015, but times have been tough in the Windy City more recently.

Chicago was swept from last year's playoffs, and another disappointing season could mean a further shake-up to a roster already tight against the salary cap.

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