There exist a lot axioms the pundits trot out every hockey season about making the playoffs. If you don't have a playoff spot at (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, etc) you're not likely to get one. Etc, etc.
The Stars technically had one just recently, though it was the last Wild Card slot in the West. If you look this morning you'll see that the surgin Nashville Predators occupy it, though with the same 23 points the Stars have.
So- Close enough?
(A year ago the 17-5-0 Dallas Stars had 34 points and a strangle-hold on just about everything.