If the playoffs started today: Kings at Ducks, Wild at Preds, Hawks at Blues, Flames at Canucks; Bruins at Rangers, Pens at Canadians, Wings at Lightning, Islanders at Caps.

Philadelphia v Carolina. Carolina – do the Flyers go into full re-build mode after the season?

Pittsburgh v Columbus. Columbus – Pens could still miss the playoffs and Bettman would go into shock without Crosby/Malkin to help the TV ratings.

Vancouver v Winnipeg. Winnipeg – Jets playing just average but a win and a Kings loss flips the standings in the wild card.

New Jersey v NY Rangers. New Jersey – rooting for the underdog in the East.

Toronto v Boston. Toronto – still would like the Sens to catch the Bruins.

Washington v Ottawa. Ottawa – see above.

Buffalo v NY Islanders. Islanders – might as well as go with at least one probable winner today.

Detroit v Minnesota. Detroit – less chance the Wild catches the Blues if the Wings win and I really don’t want the Blues/Wild game on the 11th to mean anything for the Wild.

Dallas v Nashville. Dallas – obvious at this point.

San Jose v Arizona. Arizona - if the Sharks blow it up after the season, are there any pickings that the Blue could be interested in?

Calgary v Edmonton. Calgary – keep winning and lock down third in the Pac.

Colorado v Los Angeles. Colorado – Kings can start losing and lock down out-of-the-playoffs.

Winnepeg with the victory. Now if we can get a win out of Dallas and Colorado it'll be a pretty good night!

OTT jumps out by 3. They look motivated to get back in the wild card.

Wash looks generally disinterested.

PITT loses. That's 2 wins in their last 11. Those wins came against EDM and PHX.

DAL up 2 to 1 in the third over NASH

Penalty shot for Eakin for potential winner in OT....and...DALLAS Wins! One point for Nash, two for Dallas, keeping them in it.

Despite The Preds' easier schedule, The Blues still have a chance to finish 1st in The Central. If they somehow can win all their remaining games, they can do it. Luckily, Rinne is not playing as well as earlier in the season.

Nashville is in 1st by a point. The Blues are either going to play Chicago or Minny in the playoffs. There is a small chance they can play Nashville but only if Chicago wins the division.