NHL playoff picture 2017: Focus turns to wild card races as berths fill up

Welcome half of the Pacific Division to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Ducks, Oilers, and Sharks all booked their tickets to the postseason on Tuesday night, leaving just a few spots left for wild card contenders to scrap over.

The current playoff matchups are unchanged, but let’s run them down before they get upended tonight. Because the hockey gods hate us.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Pros: Hey, did you know the Blues and Blackhawks are rivals?

Cons: We have zero read on the Blues right now. They’ve been so inconsistent, there’s as good a chance they get swept here as they make it a series.

Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators

Pros: Two of the more rambunctious crowds during the playoffs.

Cons: Look how happy P.K. Subban and Devan Dubnyk look together. Why ruin that?

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

Pros: Nothing like a playoff series for two goalies needing to prove themselves. John Gibson gets his first real test as the Ducks starting goalie, and Brian Elliott is playing for a new contract.

Cons: If the East gets a “Battle of Ontario,” why can’t the West get a “Battle of Alberta?”

San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Pros: You want to see the best players play each other in the playoffs, do you? Well, how about this: Brent Burns, Connor McDavid, Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture (if healthy), Leon Draisaitl, and Martin Jones in one series. Boom. Sold.

Cons: Good luck getting sleep if you want to watch this series!

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

Pros: Good for the Rangers (they don’t have to play a Metro rival), and good for the Habs (they’ve demolished the Rangers this year.)

Cons: Low-scoring games. Eight of the last 14 Rangers-Habs games have ended in shutouts.

Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Pros: Dion Phaneuf vs. the Maple Leafs in the playoffs. Narratives!

Cons: It’s honestly tough to come up with bad things about this matchup. A “Battle of Ontario” would be fun.

Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins

Pros: Tom Wilson is going to tempt the hell out of Brad Marchand.

Cons: Tom Wilson is going to do something stupid, isn’t he?

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pros: Can’t think of a better way for the Blue Jackets to prove they’re “for real” (whatever that means) than facing the defending champions.

Cons: One of these two teams aren’t making it past the first round. Ugh.

In the East:

The Lightning sit three points back of the Bruins for the last wild card spot with seven games left. The Islanders are four points back, as are the Hurricanes. Somehow. You can probably say goodbye to the Panthers (nine points back) and Flyers (six points back).

In the West:

Everyone’s eliminated except for the Kings. But they’re 11 points back. So. That’s what I have on that.