Blackhawks Playoff Bound, Will Face Canucks In First Round

UPDATED 04/11/11 8:07 a.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Despite losing their season finale to the Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks will still have the chance to defend their Stanley Cup Championship.

The Dallas Stars had the opportunity to eliminate the Blackhawks and get themselves into the playoffs by beating the Minnesota Wild, but their season and playoff hopes ended with a 4-3 loss.

Even though his team lost, Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville was thrilled that Dallas' loss cleared the way for the Hawks' entry into the playoffs.

"I've never been more excited for a hockey game in my life that I didn't participate in," Quenneville said Sunday. "I'm acting like a 2-year-old; maybe a 3- or 4- or 5-year-old, celebrating his first party when he really knew that it was really his birthday. It was unbelievable. We got lucky, and the thing is, let's take advantage of getting lucky."

The Blackhawks will be the 8th seed in the Western Conference and will take on the Vancouver Canucks.

The Blackhawks and Canucks split their regular season series with two wins a piece.

The two teams met in the second round of the 2010 playoffs, a series the Blackhawks won in six games.

*If Necessary

In:
• Vancouver Canucks
• Detroit Red Wings
• Minnesota Wild
• NHL Playoffs
• Stanley Cup