NHL playoff picture 2017: Wild’s fall leading to frightful series with Predators

The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs are mere weeks away, with more teams clinching berths to the big dance every night.

The Wild punched their ticket over the weekend despite two losses. As they free fall, they’d play a dangerous rival if the playoffs started today. That’s the nature of the current playoff system, but more than a few teams with Cup hopes would face major tests based on current matchups.

We’ll run them down and weigh the pros and cons of each. Check back later this afternoon for an update on clinching or elimination scenarios before the evening games begin.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Pros: Rivalry. They rarely fail to disappoint as playoff suitors. You can expect a seven-game series. Probably. But ...

Cons: Another Blues-Blackhawks series in the first round? Aren’t we tired of these yet?

Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators

Pros: Ripe for a Nashville upset. Those teams are trending in opposite directions. And, as you can see above, they don’t like each other.

Cons: Everything points to another postseason swoon for the Wild. We’re ready for Bruce Boudreau to earn some postseason success, and this isn’t the best matchup for that right now.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

Pros: I was ready to wave this one off until I remembered Matthew Tkachuk is a thing. You just know he’ll mix it up with Corey Perry and raise tensions every game. The entertainment factor here is strong.

Cons: Familiarity. Though that’s more a symptom of the playoff format.

San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Pros: A chance to officially dethrone Joe Thornton as the Pacific’s best center. What better way for Connor McDavid to start his first playoff series?

Cons: Few of their three games so far have been that close. If that trend continues into this match-up, how much fun could that really be?

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

Pros: A sneaky-good matchup. One that could either go seven or end in a Rangers sweep. Probably the latter. Hopefully the former.

Cons: Can’t think of any. Two elite goalies. Two high-energy teams. Two Original Six franchises. Nothing to complain about.

Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Pros: A “Battle of Ontario” playoff series! The snark will fly on Hockey Twitter. And it raises the stakes for Auston Matthews’ playoff debut.

Cons: You’ll have to mute half of your social media feeds for a week.

Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins

Pros: A resurgent Bruins team takes on a Capitals team infused with hungry talent. The Capitals would have the world on their shoulders; the Bruins didn’t expect to be here a month ago and would play loose. Fun times.

Cons: NBC would forget other teams are in the playoffs.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pros: The Blue Jackets and Penguins would make for one heck of a first-round series just based on their matchups this year. Two overtime games and one blowout win for the Jackets. We’ll get one more potential preview when they play on April 4.

Cons: Sidney Crosby may Darth Maul poor Cam Atkinson.