NHL Playoff Picture 2018: Bracket Standings, Wild Card Race Before Final Games

Saturday's slate of 15 NHL games will set the 16 playoff teams in stone.

After weeks of jockeying for position in division and wild-card races, 18 teams have a shot at qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The drama begins Saturday afternoon, when the Philadelphia Flyers attempt to lock up the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference against the New York Rangers.

At night, the focus shifts to the Western Conference, with a head-to-head showdown determining the final wild-card spot being the headline contest.

Bracket Picture

Eastern Conference

Atlantic No. 1 Tampa Bay vs. Wild-Card No. 2 Philadelphia

Atlantic No. 2 Boston vs. Atlantic No. 3 Toronto

Metropolitan No. 1 Washington vs. Wild-Card No. 1 New Jersey

Metropolitan No. 2 Pittsburgh vs. Metropolitan No. 3 Columbus

Western Conference

Central No. 1 Nashville vs. Wild-Card No. 2 St. Louis 

Central No. 2 Winnipeg vs. Central No. 3 Minnesota

Pacific No. 1 Vegas vs. Wild-Card No. 1 Los Angeles

Pacific No. 2 San Jose vs. Pacific No. 3 Anaheim 

Blues, Avalanche Fighting For West Wild-Card Spot

The NHL couldn't have asked for a better scenario when it comes to the conclusion of the wild-card race in the West.

The St. Louis Blues moved back into the second wild-card position with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, but the Blues aren't safe. They head on the road to face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday for a clash against the team one point behind them in the standings.

Blues head coach Mike Yeo admitted after Friday's win the wild-card picture is clearer for his team and that so is the objective heading into Colorado, per the team's official Twitter account:

Yeo and Co. need a point from the contest at Pepsi Center, but winning outright would be ideal as they look to drum up momentum ahead of the first round of the playoffs.

Colorado comes into the showdown on a two-game losing streak, but it holds a 27-11-2 record on home ice.

Given the competitiveness of the West, Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog could see the wild-race ending like this, per Ron Knabenbauer of the team's official website.

"Honestly, not surprised it comes down to Game 82 this year," Landeskog said. "As tight as it has been in our conference all year and in our division, I'm not surprised it comes down to it. It is going to be a fun challenge and a lot of fun. Pepsi Center is going to be buzzing, and so are we."

The X-factor in the wild-card showdown could be the best player on the ice, Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, who is fifth in the NHL in scoring with 95 points.

However, the job won't be easy for the Avalanche, as they face Blues goalie Carter Hutton, who leads the league in goals-against average and save percentage.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Whichever team emerges victorious from the must-see clash faces an uphill challenge in the postseason, as it faces the Presidents' Trophy-winning Nashville Predators in the first round.

Philadelphia Looking To Avoid Any Late Drama

Philadelphia's task Saturday afternoon against the Rangers is simple.

All the Flyers have to do is earn a point, and they would clinch the eighth playoff position in the East while eliminating the Florida Panthers.

The East's wild-card race is unique since Florida has two games remaining, as it plays in Sunday's lone game against the Boston Bruins.

With plenty of inexperience on the roster, the Flyers are treating Saturday's Metropolitan Division clash with the intensity of a Game 7 to prepare for the postseason, per Bill Meltzer of the club's official website.

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

"It's a good test for us that's gonna lead right into playoff hockey," Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. "A lot of these young guys don't know what playoff hockey is. I only have a couple games in playoffs, but it's definitely a different brand of hockey."

The Flyers are 2-1 against the Rangers this season, with 11 goals coming in their victories, including seven in the February 18 win at Madison Square Garden.

Given their offensive success against New York and home-ice advantage Saturday, the group led by Hart Trophy candidate Claude Giroux should have no trouble securing one of two playoff berths up for grabs during the 15-game slate.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.