NHL Playoffs 2016: Updated Eastern, Western Conference Bracket and Predictions

While Pittsburgh Penguins fans might still be catching their breath from Tuesday night's thrilling Game 6 clincher over the Washington Capitals, the Stanley Cup playoffs will ensure that fans aren't bored, as two Game 7s will go down in the Western Conference in two consecutive nights. 

The Penguins are set to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final, but everything is still up in the air in the West as we take a look at the Stanley Cup playoffs bracket:

2nd Round	ECF	SCF	WCF	2nd Round
Tampa Bay Lightning				St. Louis Blues
def.	Tampa Bay Lightning		TBD	vs.
New York Islanders				Dallas Stars
	vs.		vs.
Pittsburgh Penguins				San Jose Sharks
def.	Pittsburgh Penguins		TBD	vs.
Washington Capitals				Nashville Predators

Game 7 Predictions

Blues Will Clinch In Dallas

Game 7: Wednesday, May 11, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN

The St. Louis Blues have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons. The Dallas Stars are in just their second postseason in eight years. 

In terms of experience, point to the Blues. 

The Blues, though, have come out slow in Games 5 and 6, which could be worrisome, especially on the road in Dallas. 

That puts a lot of pressure on goalie Brian Elliott, who had a horrendous Game 6 in which he gave up three goals on seven shots in the first period. 

St. Louis, though, has a more stable goaltending situation than the Stars, as they've cycled between Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi this postseason. The uncertainty has taken a toll on the defense, as it's allowed 36 goals this postseason. Only the Nashville Predators have allowed more. 

Add the fact that the away team has won four games this series, and seeing the visiting Blues take Game 7 in Dallas isn't too far-fetched an idea. 

Sharks Will Power Past Preds

Game 7: Thursday, May 12, 9 p.m. ET, NBCSN

While home-ice advantage isn't always the most important thing, it is for the San Jose Sharks, who absolutely own the Predators at home in the postseason. 

In three playoff meetings all-time (2006, 2007, 2016), the Sharks are 7-0 in home games against Nashville, outscoring them 28-13. 

It also helps that the Sharks are a far more rested team, having five days between series, while the Predators had only one. Nashville, who moved past the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, has also had to deal with a lot of travel, with both of its series having been in California.

Martin Jones has somewhat surprisingly outdueled Nashville's Pekka Rinne, who was a Vezina Trophy candidate last season, and he'll be difficult to get past in Game 7. The Predators have allowed 38 goals this postseason compared to San Jose's 28.

With the likes of veterans Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau, who are aggressive forwards thirsting for a Stanley Cup, the Sharks should overwhelm Nashville. 

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com