Making the Stanley Cup playoffs comes one step closer to reality for the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. But, they must win.
Easier said than done, because the Bruins play at Verizon Center against the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have assured their playoff participation, but they won't roll over and let the Bruins in.
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That's because the Capitals want home-ice advantage in their first-round series against — maybe — the New York Islanders. Second in the Metropolitan Division against any opponent would be huge.
So when the puck drops about 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, the Caps and Bruins will take no prisoners. The Bruins, remember, have a chance to secure third place in the Atlantic Division. Better a best-of-7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning than against the Montreal Canadiens. Or against the New York Rangers, the East's top team.
The bigger problem: The Bruins haven't shaken off the Ottawa Senators to clinch a playoff berth. But they hold the regulation/overtime wins tiebreaker with the Senators. Boston has three games to play. The Senators must win out to make the playoffs. The Bruins need four points to get in.
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Both teams are one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and the first wild-card berth. So pressure is also on the Penguins to win.
Third place in the Atlantic? The Bruins are two points behind the Detroit Red Wings, who have two games to play.
There is one team that can clinch anything on Wednesday. With a victory over the Dallas Stars, the Anaheim Ducks would lock up top seed in the Western Conference.
If the Stanley Cup playoffs began tonight, these would be the first-round matchups.
Eastern Conference
(* - clinched playoff berth; first team holds home-ice advantage)
New York Rangers* vs. Boston Bruins (wild card)
Montreal Canadiens* vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (wild card)
Tampa Bay Lighting* vs. Detroit Red Wings (2 vs. 3, Atlantic)
Washington Capitals* vs. New York Islanders (2 vs. 3, Metropolitan)
Outside looking in: Ottawa Senators
Western Conference
Anaheim Ducks* vs. Winnipeg Jets (wild card)
St. Louis Blues* vs. Minnesota Wild* (wild card)
Nashville Predators* vs. Chicago Blackhawks* (2 vs. 3, Central)
Vancouver Canucks* vs. Calgary Flames (2 vs. 3, Pacific)
Outside looking in: Los Angeles Kings