NHL Playoff Picture: Round 1 matchups now set

With a late assist on Jake Guentzel’s equalizer Saturday versus the New York Rangers, Sidney Crosby did more than clear 100 points for the season and help an unlikely 40-goal man hit the scoring benchmark. He prevented the Pittsburgh Penguins from having to run it back with the Washington Capitals in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Pittsburgh’s point in an eventual overtime loss on home ice thwarted a final-night shake-up to the Metropolitan Division’s final standings, and preserved a first-round matchup with the New York Islanders.

The Islanders will have home-ice advantage versus the Penguins by virtue of their win on Saturday night, while the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets each won, keeping them firm in the first and second wild card spots, respectively.

Here’s the complete Eastern Conference playoff picture:

Tampa Bay Lightning (1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC2)

Boston Bruins (2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (3)

Washington Capitals (1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (WC1)

New York Islanders (2) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (3)

In the west, the Nashville Predators took care of business with a win over Chicago. The two points secured the Central Division title, and left the Blues and Jets to battle it out inside the division in the opening round.

Elsewhere, the Dallas Stars’ win over Minnesota cemented the No. 1 wild card spot. They will meet the Predators, while Colorado Avalanche will take on the West-leading Calgary Flames from the second wild card slot.

Here’s how it shakes down:

Calgary Flames (1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)

San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Nashville Predators (1) vs. Dallas Stars (WC1)

Winnipeg Jets (2) vs. St. Louis Blues (3)

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