Nightly Playoffs Preview: Blues-Blackhawks could be 1st round's best series

Here's what postseason matchups look like after play on Monday, March 28:

Eastern Conference

• The Panthers, Islanders, Lightning, Bruins, Rangers, and Penguins are all separated by between only three and five points.
• If the Flyers make the dance, they have a date with the Capitals. That's rough.
• No team wants to play the Penguins in the first round - especially not the Rangers, who've won only one in four against Pittsburgh.

Wild-Card Race

• What happens if the Islanders miss the playoffs? It's possible. The Hurricanes need a miracle, and you know Jeff Blashill doesn't want to be guy who, in his first year on the job, was behind the bench when The Streak ended.
• The Flyers play the Red Wings on April 6, and close their season on April 10 against the Islanders. Big games.

Western Conference

• The West is ultra-tight, too. Except for Stars-Wild, the other six teams slated to face each other are all separated by only four points.
• There are questions: Can the Blues overcome? Against the Blackhawks? This is what Chicago lives for.
• Every series could be entertaining, considering Devan Dubnyk's play in net for the Wild, and how hot the Predators are. And an all-California battle is most welcome.

Wild-Card Race

• The Predators are all but officially in. They can clinch Tuesday in Dallas. It's always good to have a Forsberg in the playoffs.
• The Avalanche rebounded after a devastating 4-0 loss to the Wild on Saturday, but they need help. All six of Colorado's remaining games are against teams that are playoff-bound: Blues (2), Capitals, Predators, Stars, and Ducks. It's going to be difficult, especially without Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. But at least they're here.