Hockey fans will get quite the treat Wednesday night. The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to host the Chicago Blackhawks in what could very well be a preview of the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s quite an even matchup with both clubs sitting at 103 points. That total makes the Blackhawks the No. 1 team in the Western Conference, while the Penguins trail the Washington Capitals in the East by five points with seven games left to play.
Another similarity between the teams is that both Pittsburgh and Chicago have endured mini struggles of late. The Blackhawks were crushed by the Florida Panthers in a 7-0 loss on Saturday then gave up a lead on Monday, eventually dropping an overtime affair to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Pens meanwhile have lost three straight, most recently a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
You can bet both teams will be champing at the bit to change things Wednesday night, though.
“We talked to the group (Tuesday) just about making sure that we have the right mindset going into each game,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. “Our experience has been that you don’t just flick a switch and turn it on. We’re going to have to go into each game with the right mindset and try to win. A lot of it is just focusing on the details of how we’re trying to play, and then the compete level. That’s where our focus is. … As long as our focus stays in those areas, then our team will be in the optimal frame of mind here going down the stretch.”
Added Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson, according to the Chicago Tribune: “It’s getting close to the end here and we’re getting a little bit too comfortable maybe. As soon as you do that, you’re going to lose games. … At the same time, I’m glad that we were playing like this before the playoffs so we can make some adjustments.”
Here’s a closer look at where things stand in the NHL post-season race.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(M1) vs. 
(WC2)
(A1) vs. 
(WC1)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
Here’s what the Eastern Conference standings look like today:
What’d I miss?
The Detroit Red Wings fell 4-1 to the upstart Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and were officially eliminated from post-season contention. It marked the end of an incredible run for Detroit, which made the playoffs in 25 consecutive seasons.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes now find themselves just four points out of a wild-card spot after picking up points in each of their past 12 games.
Fun fact
Adding to the previous point about the Red Wings, check out this stat.
Wow.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(C1) vs. 
(WC2)
(P1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Here’s what the Western Conference standings look like today:
What’d I miss?
The Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks collected wins on Wednesday and added the elusive ‘x’ next to their names in the standings, meaning they’ve clinched post-season berths. For the Oilers, who defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1, the feat is extra special as it ends a playoff drought that stretched to 10 seasons.
“It’s kind of bittersweet that it’s taken this long, but it’s exciting. It’s what you play hockey for,” said Edmonton winger Jordan Eberle, the longest serving member of the team.
Fun fact
Remember MySpace, anyone?
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