Sorting Saturday scenarios for seeds, matchups

Friday decided the remaining spots for who's in the NHL postseason. Saturday's games should go a long way to deciding which teams play each when the playoffs begin Wednesday night.

Or maybe not. Here are the Saturday scenarios to look for by conference.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#4 Philadelphia Flyers can clinch the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference:

* If they get more points from their game against the New York Islanders than both the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins get from their games against New Jersey and Montreal, respectively.

#5 Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference:

* If they beat the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers get no points against the New York Islanders.

#6 Pittsburgh Penguins can clinch the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference:

* If they beat the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers get no points against the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes get one or no points against the New Jersey Devils.

#7 New York Rangers (idle) can clinch the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference:

* If the Montreal Canadiens get no points against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks can clinch the Presidents' Trophy:

* If they beat the Los Angeles Kings.

or

* If they get one point against Los Angeles and the Boston Bruins get one point against the Buffalo Sabres.

or

* If the Boston Bruins get no points against the Buffalo Sabres.

#3 Vancouver Canucks can clinch the Northwest Division:

* If they get at least one point against the Colorado Avalanche.

or

* If the Calgary Flames get one or no points against the Edmonton Oilers.

#5 Calgary Flames can clinch the Northwest Division:

* If they beat the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks get no points against the Colorado Avalanche.

#6 Columbus Blue Jackets can clinch the #6 seed in the Western Conference:

* If they get at least one point against the Minnesota Wild.

#7 Anaheim Ducks can clinch the #6 seed in the Western Conference:

* If they beat the Phoenix Coyotes and the Columbus Blue Jackets get no points against the Minnesota Wild.


WHERE COULD THEY FINISH?

Eastern Conference

1. BOSTON BRUINS
2. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
3. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
4. Philadelphia, Carolina or Pittsburgh
5. Philadelphia, Carolina or Pittsburgh
6. Philadelphia, Carolina or Pittsburgh
7. NY Rangers or Montreal
8. NY Rangers or Montreal

Western Conference

1. SAN JOSE SHARKS
2. DETROIT RED WINGS
3. Vancouver or Calgary
4. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
5. Vancouver or Calgary
6. Columbus, Anaheim or St. Louis
7. Columbus, Anaheim or St. Louis
8. Columbus, Anaheim or St. Louis

BOLD CAPS indicate clinched playoff seed



Eastern Conference matchup possibilities (regardless of home ice)

Series A (East 1 vs. East 8)

Boston vs. Montreal
Boston vs. NY Rangers

Series B (East 2 vs. East 7)

Washington vs. NY Rangers
Washington vs. Montreal

Series C (East 3 vs. East 6)

New Jersey vs. Philadelphia
New Jersey vs. Carolina
New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh

Series D (East 4 vs. East 5)

Philadelphia vs. Carolina
Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh
Carolina vs. Pittsburgh


Western Conference matchup possibilities (regardless of home ice)

Series E (West 1 vs. West 8)

San Jose vs. Columbus
San Jose vs. Anaheim
San Jose vs. St. Louis

Series F (West 2 vs. West 7)

Detroit vs. Columbus
Detroit vs. Anaheim
Detroit vs. St. Louis

Series G (West 3 vs. West 6)

Vancouver vs. Columbus
Vancouver vs. Anaheim
Vancouver vs. St. Louis
Calgary vs. Columbus
Calgary vs. Anaheim
Calgary vs. St. Louis

Series H (West 4 vs. West 5)

Chicago vs. Vancouver
Chicago vs. Calgary

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