Be careful with Saturday's NHL match-ups - here's why

Saturday marks the unofficial end of the NHL regular season, so here's a breakdown of the games that have playoff implications and those matchups that don’t mean a darn thing.

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers (-170, 5)

The Rangers clinched a playoff berth with a 4-3 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday, and can finish anywhere from the No. 6 to No. 8 seed.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (+100, 5.5)

The Canadiens enter the day with 61 points, tied with the Boston Bruins -- who have one game in hand -- as the teams battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division. A Montreal victory would mean the Bruins would need three points in their final two contests to capture the division. The Maple Leafs appear to be locked into the No. 5 spot in the East, but a win would make it impossible for the Ottawa Senators to catch them and bump them to the six seed.

Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators (-170, 5.5)

The Flyers have nothing to play for, but the Senators can finish anywhere from No. 5 to No. 8 in the East depending on the outcome of their final two games. Ottawa and Boston square off in the season finale on Sunday.

Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals (+113, 5.5)

The Bruins can clinch the Northeast with a win or Montreal loss. Washington has won the Southeast Division and will enter the 2013 playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the East.

Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets (-230, 5)

The Blue Jackets need a win in their season finale in order to have a shot at the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars (+117, 5)

The Red Wings sit seventh in the West heading into action Friday night and will be looking for points in their finale in order to qualify for their 22nd consecutive playoff appearance.

Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche (+129, 5)

The Wild were defeated by the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 Friday night. A victory would have clinched a playoff spot. Now Saturday’s date with the Avs is crucial.

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues (-157, 5)

The Blackhawks have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, but the Blues will be looking for points in order to lock down the No. 4 seed and clinch home advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings (-147, 5)

The Sharks and Kings are deadlocked at 57 points and both have a chance to leapfrog the Blues for home-ice advantage in the opening round.

Saturday’s meaningless games:

Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins (-198, 5.5)
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-175, 5.5)
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers (+115, 5)
Phoenix Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks (-157, 5)