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What we know so far: 6 of 8 Stanley Cup playoff matchups set

Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / Getty

Saturday's heavy slate of games didn't determine every Stanley Cup playoff series, but it did decide most of them.

Six of the eight matchups were set in stone on the penultimate night of the NHL regular season.

All that's left to be settled is the Atlantic Division, which will come into focus depending on what happens Sunday between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.

Here's what we do know:

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division

Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1)

The division-winning Capitals get the Blue Jackets, who finished a single point and one regulation or overtime win behind the Philadelphia Flyers, who grabbed third place.

Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)

This one should be an absolute dandy, as the Battle of Pennsylvania will once again be brought to the playoff stage.

Western Conference

Central Division

Nashville Predators (C1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)

The Avalanche clinched the last remaining playoff berth and eliminated the St. Louis Blues with a 5-2 victory over them Saturday. That set up this matchup with the Predators, who clinched the Presidents' Trophy with the league's best record Thursday.

Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)

We've known about this matchup since Thursday, but it should be a terrific series between two foes who aren't too far apart geographically.

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)

Ready for Vegas and Hollywood in the same playoff series? The expansion darlings will make their first foray into the postseason, and they'll do so against a Kings team that's back in the dance after missing out in 2016-17.

Anaheim Ducks (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)

Two perennially competitive rival clubs will meet in the other Pacific Division matchup when the Ducks face the Sharks. Anaheim went on a tear to end the season, winning five in a row and eight of 10, while the Sharks reeled off an eight-game winning streak in March before cooling off down the stretch.

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