Here's what postseason matchups look like after play on Monday, March 28:
Eastern Conference
Team
Team
Season Series
A1 Panthers
W1 Islanders
2-1 Panthers
A2 Lightning
A3 Bruins
2-1-1
M1 Capitals
W2 Flyers
2-0-1 Capitals
M2 Rangers
M3 Penguins
3-1 Penguins
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
Team
Points
Games Remaining
1. Islanders
89
8
2. Flyers
87
7
Red Wings
87
6
Hurricanes
81
6
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
Team
Team
Season Series
C1 Stars
W2 Wild
4-1 Stars
C2 Blues
C3 Blackhawks
2-2
P1 Kings
W1 Predators
2-1 Kings
P2 Ducks
P3 Sharks
3-1 Ducks
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
Team
Points
Games Remaining
Predators
91
6
Wild
85
6
Avalanche
82
6
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.
