With the Avs clinching the best record in the conference and the Mammoth mathematically eliminated from finishing in the top three in the Central, the Stars and Wild will meet each other in the first round of the playoffs.

We all knew this was coming considering how the Avs pulled away for much of the season, and the Stars and Wild clearly the two best teams after them. The only thing left to determine is home-ice advantage.

There will be outcry for the NHL to change the playoff format so two of its top contenders will avoid each other in the opening round, but there's no appetite to change, so it's fait accompli.

Could this be the best matchup of the playoffs? Who do you think will win?

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