On Wednesday in this space, we pondered whether any of the West Division teams would spoil a matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the playoffs -- i.e., the "division championship."

Based on what we're seeing lately from the St. Louis Blues, the 2019 Stanley Cup champs are ready to make some noise.

The Blues' latest win -- a 4-3 edging of the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night -- pushes them three points clear of the Arizona Coyotes, with three games in hand; their playoff chances, per Money Puck, are now at a healthy 89.2%. But it's not just the victories themselves, but the style points too. Two of their recent wins came against the mighty Avs.

Though the Wild's 15-point lead over the Blues at No. 3 in the standings is probably secure, the No. 1 vs. No. 4 matchup out West appears it'll be less of a breeze than what many had suggested in recent weeks. Minnesota and St. Louis will square off again Thursday night, and again on Saturday (streaming live on ESPN+).

Having reached the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2021 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Race for No. 1 pick

East Division

Washington Capitals

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: E1
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. PIT (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: E2
Games left: 6
Next game: @ WSH (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: E3
Games left: 7
Next game: @ NYR (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 95.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Boston Bruins

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: E4
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. BUF (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: vs. NYI (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 5.9%
Tragic number: 9

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ NJ (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 3

New Jersey Devils

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. PHI (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 33
Regulation wins: 10
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: @ BOS (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Carolina Hurricanes - x

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. DET (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers - x

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 5
Next game: @ CHI (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning - x

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. DAL (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: C4
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. DAL (May 1)
Playoff chances: 59%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ TB (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 40.3%
Tragic number: 12

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. FLA (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 7

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: @ CAR (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: @ CAR (May 1)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

North Division

Toronto Maple Leafs - x

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N1
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. VAN (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N2
Games left: 9
Next game: vs. CGY (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N3
Games left: 7
Next game: @ MTL (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 99.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N4
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. WPG (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 85.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: @ EDM (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 12.9%
Tragic number: 10

Ottawa Senators

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: @ MTL (May 1)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 3

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Next game: @ TOR (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 16

West Division

Vegas Golden Knights - x

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: W1
Games left: 8
Next game: @ ARI (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche - x

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: W2
Games left: 9
Next game: vs. SJ (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild - x

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: W3
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. STL (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: W4
Games left: 9
Next game: @ MIN (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 89.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: vs. VGS (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 6.5%
Tragic number: 9

San Jose Sharks

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ COL (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 2.6%
Tragic number: 9

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Next game: @ ANA (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 1.7%
Tragic number: 10

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 10
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: vs. LA (Apr. 30)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Current playoff matchups

East Division

No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 4 Boston Bruins
No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 3 New York Islanders

Central Division

No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 4 Nashville Predators
No. 2 Florida Panthers vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning

North Division

No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 4 Montreal Canadiens
No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Winnipeg Jets

West Division

No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 4 St. Louis Blues
No. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. New for 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here.

1. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 33
Regulation wins: 10

2. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 10

3. New Jersey Devils

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 12

4. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 11

6. Ottawa Senators

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 15

7. Los Angeles Kings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 16

8. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 15

9. San Jose Sharks

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 14

10. Calgary Flames

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 18

11. Arizona Coyotes

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 17

12. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14

13. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

14. Dallas Stars

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16

15. New York Rangers

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 23