How Nashville Predators' potential NHL playoff opponent impacted by Vegas' win Sunday

As we wait for the identity of the Nashville Predators' first-round playoff opponent, one result from Sunday further muddied the waters.

After Saturday's Vancouver vs. Edmonton result — with the Canucks beating the Oilers 3-1 — the Predators were all but guaranteed to face the Canucks in the first round. All Nashville needed to do was lock up with first wild card spot to make it happen.

But then on Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights won a thriller over the Colorado Avalanche, winning 4-3 in overtime.

This creates a scenario where, if the Predators do not get at least one point against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, the Golden Knights could sneak into the first wild card spot.

Vegas plays two non-playoff teams at home to finish their season, Tuesday against Chicago and Thursday against Anaheim. Two wins by the Golden Knights would give them the first wild card position.

If that happens, Nashville would fall to the second wild card position and likely face the Dallas Stars in the first round.

According to Sport Club Stats, as of Monday, Nashville has a 78% chance of facing Vancouver, a 20% chance of facing Dallas, and a 1% chance of facing Edmonton.

The Predators' odds of facing the Canucks were as high as 85% over the weekend, but the Vegas result against Colorado throws some doubt into the matchup.

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In the season series against the Stars, the Predators managed two road wins: a 4-3 win on Jan. 6 and a 6-3 win on Jan. 12. But they lost both home matchups, including an embarrassing 9-2 loss on Feb. 15, a result that fuel them to their franchise record 18-game point streak.

The Predators lost all three games against the Canucks this season, but have not faced them since a 5-2 loss on Dec. 19.