PLAYOFF OUTLOOK
The NHL regular season ends Sunday with one game. First-round, best-of-seven playoff series begin Wednesday and Thursday. Here is how the matchups looked heading into play Saturday night:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seven teams had clinched playoff berths with the last spot going to St. Louis or Colorado (teams in bold are locked into their playoff position):
Nashville (Central No. 1) vs. wild card No. 2 (St. Louis or Colorado)
Winnipeg (Central No. 2) vs. Wild (Central No. 3)
Vegas (Pacific No. 1) vs. wild card No. 1 (San Jose, Anaheim or L.A.)
Pacific No. 2 (San Jose, Anaheim or L.A.) vs. Pacific No. 3 (San Jose, Anaheim or L.A.)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
All eight playoff spots are taken (teams in bold are locked into their playoff position):
Atlantic No. 1 (Tampa Bay or Boston) vs. wild card No. 2 (Columbus, New Jersey or Philadelphia)
Atlantic No. 2 (Tampa Bay or Boston) vs. Toronto (Atlantic No. 3)
Washington (Metro No. 1) vs. wild card No. 1 (Columbus, New Jersey or Philadelphia)
Pittsburgh (Metro No. 2) vs. Metro No. 3 (Columbus, New Jersey or Philadelphia)