It took a day longer than expected, but the NHL’s playoff matchups finally are set.
And fans of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a little longer to see those teams meet again in the post-season.
The Ottawa Senators beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Sunday night in the final game of the regular season to cement the Eastern Conference standings. The game was originally scheduled for April 15 but had to be rescheduled because of the Boston Marathon bombings.
The result clinched the Northeast Division for Montreal and spoiled a matchup with Toronto that many fans were craving.
The two rivals have not met in the playoffs since 1979.
Ottawa’s victory means that the No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins will meet the No. 8 New York Islanders, the No. 2 Canadiens will take on the No. 7 Senators and the No. 4 Bruins will battle the No. 5 Maple Leafs.
The matchup between the No. 3 Washington Capitals and No. 6 New York Rangers was decided after play on Saturday.
The Western Conference playoff picture was also set on Saturday and will see the No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks take on the No. 8 Minnesota Wild, the No. 2 Anaheim Ducks tackle the No. 7 Detroit Red Wings, the No. 3 Vancouver Canucks meet the No. 6 San Jose Sharks and the No. 4 St. Louis Blues battle the defending Stanley Cup champion and No. 5 L.A. Kings.
The playoffs begin Tuesday.
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