NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: 5 Postseason Battles Still to Be Decided

With a week to go in the regular season, the race for Lord Stanley's Cup has already begun in some cities. The missed opportunities of an 82-game regular season can all be washed away with a last-minute push to get in the postseason.

Around the league, playoff intensity is already on the ice, with some rivalries renewed and others yet to be born.

After all the brotherly love spread around in Pittsburgh Sunday, fans are buzzing about the rematch next Saturday, and the likelihood of a Pens-Flyers first-round matchup. The hatred between the two sides was on full display late in the third period, as coaches even got into the act. Ejections to head coach Peter Laviolette and Pens assistant Tony Granato showed us that while the coaches might respect one another, they shouldn't expect Christmas cards come December.

In the Western Conference, the battle continues to see who doesn't want to win the Pacific division as the top spot, and the third overall seed changed hands three times in the last week. Current leader Los Angeles was looking at early tee times in April before a couple of wins vaulted them into third place overall.

The last week of the regular season starts tonight. With 13 of the 16 spots already locked up, there will still be movement in the conference standings to determine first-round matchups. With single points separating so many teams, there is still a ton to play for, even for teams who have already booked their postseason tickets.

Here is a closer look at five postseason battles yet to be decided.

Southeast Division Title

Let's face it, the Capitals don't really deserve to get into the playoffs, and the upstart Panthers have been a nice story all season and probably deserve the spot. However, the Panthers are having trouble clinching that division crown, and the Caps are winning just enough to be viable for another division title.

Two out of three games left are on home ice for the current leader, Florida, with a Thursday trip to the nation's capital on deck. That matchup could be a turning point in this battle, or a coronation ceremony for the Panthers who currently own a three-point edge on the Caps.

Pacific Division Title

I've already written an article stating my belief that the Sharks would take the Pacific division title. In response, San Jose has managed to look brilliant against the Bruins, then lethargic against the Ducks and Coyotes. The reality is that the Sharks still control their own playoff destiny. They finish up with road trips to Dallas and LA, before finishing at home against the Kings.

Los Angeles has battled all year to put pucks in the net to support Vezina-worthy Jon Quick in net. They are sitting pretty in the West right now, occupying the third seed as the division kings. That could all change if the Kings lose any of the next three games.

Phoenix, which has strengthened its hold on a playoff spot with the seventh seed, has an identical record to the Kings, but defers in head-to-head matchups. They could sneak into the division lead if the Kings blink with a loss or two this week.

Eastern Conference 8th Spot

The Buffalo Sabres have been an anomaly all year.

A first-half scoring burst from the Sabres was countered by uncharacteristically bad netminding from the perennially stingy Ryan Miller. Since the All-Star break, Miller has been back on form, carrying the Sabres towards the playoffs with a 15-5-5 record and a goals against average that is more Miller-esque around two goals per game.

The Caps have traveled the same path of underachievement. While they still have a legitimate shot at a division crown, they are also in the driver's seat for the eighth and final spot for the postseason.

They play at Tampa, then return home to host the Panthers midweek before finishing with the Rangers Saturday night. Buffalo hosts Toronto on Tuesday before heading to Philly and Boston to wrap up their season.

Western Conference Title

The St. Louis Blues seemed to be headed for the first seed in the West after division rival Detroit stumbled down the stretch. Somebody forgot to tell the Canucks that.

Winners of six in a row, Vancouver has overtaken the Blues in the Western Conference. With all three of Vancouver's final games against non-playoff teams, they are clearly in the driver's seat.

St. Louis, on the other hand, finishes against three playoff teams, each with their own agendas. They're home against Detroit on Wednesday. Then it's back-to-back nights with a home game against Phoenix and a trip to Dallas.

With home ice on the line, expect some huge battles from all teams involved.

Home Ice, East and West

The fourth and fifth seedings in both the Eastern and Western Conferences is one of the most hotly contested battles right now. With home ice in the first round at stake, all parties have a ton to play for.

Except for the Philadelphia Flyers, maybe. The Flyers are 5-0 all time at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Arena. While the Flyers would certainly prefer to play in front of their own fans, that road record is a nice thing to consider if they end up as the fifth seed.

In the West, Detroit has no such luxury. With a sparkling home record, the Red Wings have been atrocious away from the Joe Louis Arena. With home ice hanging in the balance, the Wings need to finish strong to avoid opening up the postseason in Nashville.

The winner, of course, in all of this is the fans. We get to enjoy an extra week of playoff competition before the real show begins. With so much at stake, including jobs for next year, this week's must-see TV centers on the NHL.