NHL playoffs: If they started today

With the NHL's regular season winding down, the jockeying for Stanley Cup playoff positions becomes more intense.

Friday the Pittsburgh Penguins had an opportunity to secure a playoff spot if they could win at home against the New York Islanders. They failed to do so, losing 3-1 to remain as the first wild card in the Eastern Conference but still within reach of the Boston Bruins, two points back. The Ottawa Senators, one point behind the Pens can take over the first wild card position with a win on Saturday in Philadelphia, and a Pittsburgh loss in Buffalo.

Here's how the match-upswould look if the post-season began today (the only one guaranteedis Vancouver vs. Calgary):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Division leader No. 1vs. wild card No. 2

Rangers:52-22-7, 111points

• Games remaining: 1

Penguins:42-27-12, 96 points

Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series: Rangers win 3-0-1 (Penguins 1-2-1)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators

Division leader No. 2vs. wild card No. 1

Canadiens:49-22-10, 108points

• Games remaining: 1

Senators: 42-26-13, 97points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-seasonseries: Ottawa win 3-1-0 (Canadiens1-3-0)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings

Atlantic Division No. 2 vs. Atlantic Division No. 3

Lightning: 50-24-8, 108points

• Games remaining: 1

Red Wings: 42-25-14, 98points

Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Lightning win3-1-0 (Red Wings 1-2-1)

Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

Metropolitan Division No. 2 vs. Metropolitan Division No. 3

Capitals:45-25-11, 101points

• Games remaining: 1

Islanders:47-28-6, 100points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Capitals win2-0-2(Islanders 2-1-1)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets

Division leader No. 1 vs. wild card No. 2

Ducks:50-24-7, 107points

• Games remaining: 1

Jets: 42-26-13, 97points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Ducks win3-0-0 (Winnipeg (0-1-2)

St. Louis Bluesvs. Minnesota Wild

Division leader No. 2 vs. wild card No. 1

Blues: 50-24-7, 107points

• Games remaining: 1

Wild:46-27-8, 100points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Wild lead 2-0-1 (Blues 1-2-0)

Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Central Division No. 2 vs. Central Division No. 3

Predators:47-24-10, 104points

• Games remaining: 1

Blackhawks: 48-27-6, 102points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Blackhawkswin3-1-0 (Predators1-1-2)

VancouverCanucksvs. Calgary Flames

Pacific Division No. 2 vs. Pacific Division No. 3

Canucks:47-29-5, 99points

• Games remaining: 1

Flames:45-29-7, 97points

• Games remaining: 1

Regular-season series:Flames win 2-1-1 (Canucks2-2-0)