The Stanley Cup playoffs are nearly here with some loose ends to tie up. Here is the latest NHL playoff picture with updated bracket.

The Western Conference field was set by the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues with their wins on Wednesday. It's down to Montreal and Columbus for the final wild-card spot in the East. Montreal just needs one point to clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday night, but it faces a tough opponent in the Carolina Hurricanes.

Will Wednesday see the clinching of team No. 16 in the playoff field, or will Thursday's games be the determinant? Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens 7 p.m. (ESPN+) This is the most important game of the night by a considerable margin.