The match-ups have been finalized in the Eastern Conference for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Washington Capitals the top seed in the East and the Vancouver Canucks the top seed in the Western Conference.
Boston, which finished the season in third place in the Eastern Conference, will face the rival Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. The Bruins were 2-3-1 in six games against the Habs this season.
The eighth seed in the Western Conference is the only spot left for grabs in the postseason, and it will be filled by either Dallas or defending champion Chicago, which lost on Sunday afternoon. With the Blackhawks' loss, the Dallas Stars control their own destiny, as a win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon would send them to the playoffs.
Here's a look at the first round match-ups for the 2011 NHL Playoffs, which begins later this week.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 seed Washington Capitals vs. No. 8 seed New York Rangers
No. 2 seed Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 7 seed Buffalo Sabres
No. 3 seed Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 seed Montreal Canadiens
No. 4 seed Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 seed Tampa Bay Lightning
WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 seed Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 seed Chicago Blackhawks/Dallas Stars
No. 2 seed San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7seed Los Angeles Kings
No. 3 seed Detroit Red Wings vs.No. 6 seed Phoenix Coyotes
No. 4 seed Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 seed Nashville Predators