Sporting News' hockey experts , and predicted the final standings for the 2017-18 NHL season. Thefigures below reflect the average finish for each team based on their combined projections. Of the nine NHL teams with active playoffs streaks (two or more consecutive seasons), four reside in the Central Division. Each of the last three postseasons have included Chicago (10 straight), St. Louis (six), Minnesota (five) and Nashville (three). That's impre sive continuity within a division known as the toughest in the NHL for the better part of the last decade. And though there are signs if slippage, it doesn't look like this trend willchange in 2017-18, with the aforementioned teams all well positioned once again to make noise in the springtime. The Stars and Jets are openly threatening C.J. Prosise Jersey the order, though. If there's one thing for certain, theCentral no longer features a clear-cut favorite, meaning every team (outside the Avalanche) has a shot at the division crown. MORE PICKS: | | Central Tyler Lockett Jersey | | Central Division: 2017-18 predictions Chicago Blackhawks The turnstyles in Chicago never cease, but as long as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are constant, so too are the Blackhawks' playoff chances. It's not going to be smooth sledding in 2017-18 for the defending division champs, but our projections have the Hawks makingthe playoffs for a10th consecutive season. Cerny: 94 points, sixth in Central Schlager: 97 points, third in Central Sporer: 95 points, tied fourth in Central PREVIEW: Colorado Avalanche The best remedyfor the Avalanche would be a prompt end to the Matt Duchenetrade rumors. Barring a shocking development in the next few days, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen without consequence. Each day Duchene remains in an Avs sweater means we may not see him trades teams until the deadline. Cenry: 51 points, seventh in Central Schlager: 64 points, seventh in Central Sporer: 60 points, seventh in Central PREVIEW: Dallas Stars Winning the offseason doesn't amount to much when the games start to count. That's why, for all the positive headlines that , it's prove-it time for a Stars team eager to move on from the utter disappointment of 2016-17. There's a lot to like on paper forthisshould-be force in the West. Cerny: 103 points, first in Central Schlager: 99 points, second in Central Sporer: 95 points, tied fourth in Central PREVIEW: Minnesota Wild The Wild are looking to make it six straight seasons with a playoff berth, a streak only five other NHL teams can match. At some point, they're going to have to Benson Mayowa Jersey break through to the conference finals and beyond. If this isn't the year, it might be time to shake things up next summer. Cerny: 97 points, fourth in Central Schlager: 96 points, fourth in Central Sporer: 98 points, third in Central PREVIEW: Nashville Bryan Mone Jersey Predators That Stanley Cup Final run . Will the Predators feed off the momentum, or tire out? We're banking on the former, even if the lo s of Ryan Ellis for half the season could set Nashville back in a division race where every win will count. Cerny: 99 points, second in Central Schlager: 100 points, first in Central Sporer: 101 points, second in Central PREVIEW: St. Louis Blues Every team deals with injuries, to varying degrees. But the Blues already . It's up to stars VladimirTarasenkoand AlexPietrangeloand newcomer Brayden Schennto shoulder the load afteran unfortunate preseason ravaged a Stanley Cup contender. Cerny: 98 points, third in Central Schlager: 94 points, fifth in Central Sporer: 104 points, first in Central PREVIEW: Winnipeg Jets Everything is on the line for the Jets, their coach Paul Maurice, and general managerKevin Cheveldayoff, if they can't get the team to the playoffs once and for all. Expect sweeping changes come summertime if that doesn't happen. Cerny: 95 points, sixth in Central Schlager: 89 points, sixth in Central Sporer: 91 points, sixth in Central PREVIEW: Central Division: 2017-18 picks 1. Nashville Predators (100 points)* 2. Dallas Stars (99 points)* 3. St. Louis Blues (98.6 points)* 4. Minnesota Russell Wilson Jersey Wild (97 points)* 5. Chicago Blackhawks (95.3 points)* 6. Winnipeg Jets (91.6 points) 7. Colorado Avalanche (58.3 points) *Qualify for playoffs