The two NHL wild-card races could not look more different going into Friday's games.

The Eastern Conference picture got even more crowded thanks to the Pittsburgh Penguins' win over the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh, Washington, the New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers all have either 81, 82 or 83 points.

Philadelphia is above the wild-card race, for now, in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but one result could drag the Flyers outside the wild-card picture.

Every game involving those five teams, the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils carries a ton of meaning for the next two weeks, which makes that the most exciting playoff race left.

The Western Conference wild-card race feels like it was wrapped up on Thursday through the Los Angeles Kings' win over the San Jose Sharks and losses by the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild.

Los Angeles holds a seven-point advantage on St. Louis with six games remaining.

Stanley Cup Odds

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Carolina (+650; bet $100 to win $650)

Florida (+700)

Colorado (+700)

Edmonton (+750)

New York Rangers (+900)

Dallas (+900)

Boston (+1000)

Vegas (+1200)

Toronto (+1400)

Vancouver (+1500)

Winnipeg (+2000)

Tampa Bay (+2500)

Los Angeles (+2500)

Nashville (+4000)

Philadelphia (+7500)

New York Islanders (+10000)

Detroit (+10000)

Pittsburgh (+15000)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

1. Boston - 105 points

2. Florida - 101

3. Toronto - 95

Metropolitan Division

1. New York Rangers - 106

2. Carolina - 101

3. Philadelphia - 83

Wild-Card Race

1. Tampa Bay - 93

2. New York Islanders - 83

3. Washington - 82

4. Detroit - 82

5. Pittsburgh - 81

6. Buffalo - 77

7. New Jersey - 76

Good luck trying to figure out who the final wild-card spot in the East will go to.

Pittsburgh further complicated the conversation with its commanding win over Washington.

The Penguins and Islanders each enter Friday with three-game winning streaks, but those could end Saturday. Pittsburgh hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Islanders host the Nashville Predators.

Philadelphia must beat Buffalo on Friday to stay ahead of the wild-card race and to keep another competitor out of the logjam.

Detroit and Washington have tougher matchups on Friday against the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes.

The Rangers are fighting for the Presidents' Trophy and home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference. Carolina is five points back of the Rangers in the Metropolitan, but both of those achievements are within reach if it wins out.

The Red Wings and Capitals also play on Sunday against weaker opposition. The Red Wings host Buffalo and the Caps take on the Ottawa Senators. A weekend split would keep both teams in good positions, but a two-game sweep would add pressure to the teams in front of them.

Western Conference

Central Division

1. Dallas - 105

2. Colorado - 102

3. Winnipeg - 98

Pacific Division

1. Vancouver - 102

2. Edmonton - 95

3. Vegas - 92

Wild-Card Race

1. Nashville - 92

2. Los Angeles - 91

3. St. Louis - 84

4. Minnesota - 81

Thursday's results handed the second wild-card spot to the Kings.

Los Angeles completed a back-to-back set with a road win in San Jose after St. Louis and Minnesota fell in regulation.

The Kings have one of the easiest schedules left in the NHL, as they play five of the last six at home and the lone road game takes place in Anaheim.

Saturday's clash with Vancouver is Los Angeles' lone game left against a team in a playoff position.

Instead of worrying about the Blues and Wild, the Kings can focus on competing with Nashville for wild-card positioning, or even challenge the Vegas Golden Knights for third place in the Pacific Division.

Four of Nashville's last six games come against teams in playoff positions, so there is a chance it swaps positions with the Kings.

Both teams should be motivated to avoid the second wild-card spot since that likely comes with a matchup against the Dallas Stars, who are on an eight-game winning streak.

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