NHL playoff picture: Blackhawks leapfrog Wild, Flames rise in Pacific

The Chicago Blackhawks jumped over the Minnesota Wild by edging the Winnipeg Jets and the Calgary Flames moved past the Los Angeles Kings into third place in the Pacific Division with a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators.

Here's how the playoff picture looks after a busy Sunday slate:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

The Detroit Red Wings failed to gain ground in the Atlantic Division, losing 5-4 to the New York Islanders.

Metropolitan

The Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in a shootout and leapfrogged the Islanders because they have a game in hand.

Wild Card

The Washington Capitals defeated the Rangers 5-2, the Bruins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime and the Florida Panthers doubled up the Senators 4-2.

Current Matchups

Montreal (A1) vs. Boston (WC2)

Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Detroit (A3)

New York Rangers (M1) vs. Washington (WC1)

Pittsburgh (M2) vs. New York Islanders (M3)

Western Conference

Central

The Blackhawks earned a 4-3 victory over the Jets and moved past the Wild into third place in the division. Chicago trails the St. Louis Blues by three points for second place.

Pacific

The Flames' win over the Predators vaulted them back into third place in the division, putting some heat on the idle Vancouver Canucks.

Wild Card

Minnesota slipped back down to the first wild card spot thanks to the Blackhawks' win over the Jets, and Winnipeg's loss means the Kings can leapfrog them with a win over Chicago on Monday. Los Angeles has more regulation or overtime wins - ROWs - than the Jets.

Current Matchups

Nashville (C1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)

St. Louis (C2) vs. Chicago (C3)

Anaheim (P1) vs. Winnipeg (WC2)

Vancouver (P2) vs. Calgary (P3)

Race for Last

The Buffalo Sabres battle the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night. The Edmonton Oilers play the Colorado Avalanche that same evening, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are off until Tuesday when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning.