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I'm guessing no one out there picked not only the Calgary Flames to make the playoffs, but also the Los Angeles Kings to miss the playoffs. But here we are in what has been one of the most interesting playoff races in recent years. Hopefully you didn't make your playoff pool picks a few weeks early (I don't know why you would anyway). It should come as a surprise to many that the Canucks and Flames – not two of the California teams – now occupy second and third place in the Pacific Division.

The Flames and Canucks playoff matchup should be an interesting one. It's been ten seasons since the two Smythe/Northwest/Pacific Division rivals have faced each other in a playoff series. The winner of Canucks/Flames first-round playoff series has gone on to the Stanley Cup Final in four different seasons: 1982, 1989, 1994, and 2004. The last three series in particular have been memorable ones, each of which went the distance. Here's my favorite moment of those first-round series:

But unlike the result of the old series, I'm going to go with the Capitals in seven games in this one. I think the Capitals are capable of winning a round (or two) this season with a team that is finally well-constructed on all ends. In addition, I think Braden Holtby is a better goalie than Jaroslav Halak, which will show in this series. Regardless, Alex Ovechkin and John Tavares on the same ice sheet will be fun to watch.

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Not much happening on Friday night with only two games before the final day of the regular season, where everyone plays. But a few interesting things happened fantasy wise.

In one league, I picked up Brian Gionta in last-ditch attempt to win the league, simply because he plays both Friday and Saturday. I'll wait and see if Gionta's goal and assist on Friday against Columbus will make any kind of difference. Earlier this season, I never thought I'd be adding Gionta for any reason. But over his last 13 games, Gionta has 16 points (6g-10a), closing out his team's dreadful season on a high note.

But I probably should have found some room on my team for Cam Atkinson, who was also available and scored a goal. Nick Foligno also scored a goal, putting his total to 31 goals and 73 points. Given his previous point totals, I'd expect at least a minor regression next season.

Hands up if you started Rob Scuderi on Friday. Hello? Anyone? Well, if you did, he scored his first goal in 181 games. To put it into perspective, his last goal was during the first game of the 2013-14 season. But it was his 100^th career NHL point too.

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Speaking of which, it's almost like the Penguins and the Bruins don't want that final playoff spot. They're tossing it around like a hot potato or the task everyone passes the buck on at work. But even though Pittsburgh is hanging onto to the playoff spot, it's almost like they want it even less than the Bruins. Who would have thought that the Penguins would be a wild-card team this season, but there they are after losing five consecutive games. Someone might be backing into that playoff spot.

But I'd hate to see Ottawa lose it now, given how far they've come. They were 14 points out of a playoff spot two months ago. But then the Hamburglar came along and the rest, as they say, is history. I'm really wondering how the emergence of Andrew Hammond will affect the Senators' goaltending situation going forward. The tandem of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner is under contract, while Hammond is a RFA during the offseason. Three-headed monsters almost never work, so it behooves the Sens to move one of their goalies.

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This Connor McDavid kid is pretty good. Five goals for the future first overall pick in the Erie Otters' 7-3 annihilation of the London Knights in OHL playoff action. I guess this kid's not going to begin his NHL career flying under the radar.

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Finally, here are the confirmed starters for Saturday, courtesy of Goalie Post:

Henrik Lundqvist (@ Washington)

Michael Hutchinson (vs. Calgary)

Carey Price (@ Toronto)

Jonathan Bernier (vs. Montreal)

Cory Schneider (@ Florida)

Al Montoya (vs. New Jersey)

Brian Elliott (vs. Minnesota)

Semyon Varlamov (vs. Chicago)

Ryan Miller (vs. Edmonton)