Nashville Predators: Playoff Possibilites Heading into Season's Final Game

Despite Saturday being the last game of the 2011-12 regular season, many playoff scenarios are still possible for the Predators in a tight Western Conference.

Nashville remains in a dead heat with Detroit and is just ahead of Chicago in the No. 4, 5, 6 spots. 

The No. 4 and No. 5 seeds will face off in the first round, with the No. 4 seed getting home-ice advantage. The Preds will be in the 4/5 matchup, but it's unclear if it will be Chicago or Detroit and who will have home ice.

The No. 6 seed will face the Pacific-Division-winner, which could be either of Phoenix, Los Angeles or San Jose.

Nashville will play at Colorado, and Detroit and Chicago face off at 1 p.m. ET. 

Here's a look at possible outcomes heading into Saturday's action.

Predators Playoff Scenarios (as of 12:30 p.m. ET 4/7)

- Nashville wins or loses in OT/SO, Detroit wins or loses in OT/SO: No. 4 seed, will play Detroit

- Nashville wins or loses in OT/SO, Chicago regulation win: No. 4 seed, will play Chicago

- Nashville regulation loss, Detroit win: No. 5 seed, will play Detroit

- Nashville regulation loss, Chicago regulation win: No. 4 seed, will play Chicago

- Nashville regulation loss, Detroit OT/SO loss: No. 4 seed, will play Detroit

The scenarios will be much clearer by the end of the Red Wings/Blackhawks game. If the Red Wings lose, Nashville will have the No. 4 seed regardless of the outcome of their game. 

If Detroit wins, Nashville will play them, but they'll have to win or send their game in Colorado to OT to gain home-ice advantage. 

If Chicago wins in regulation, the Preds and Blackhawks will play a 4/5 matchup with the Preds gaining home ice. 

Take a deep breath, Preds fans, you won't be facing the Sharks in the first round regardless of Saturday's outcome. Detroit's still a strong possibility, but they've been cold as of late and Nashville has the talent to battle them for the first time ever.