The Ducks can do that Wednesday with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Game time: 10 p.m. ET. The Penguins can move a step closer to home-ice advantage with a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Game time: 8 p.m. ET.

MORE: Stanley Cup odds | Lightning latest to clinch | NHL scoreboard: schedule and results

First, the Ducks. Having secured their playoff berth, Anaheim has two remaining targets. A victory over the Oilers, or at least a point on Wednesday, nets them the Pacific Division title. That means the Ducks would face a wild-card team in the first round when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin April 15. The second: home-ice advantage throughout their playoff run in the West.

Coach Bruce Boudreau has the luxury of a lineup with Cup winners Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Having home-ice advantage would be of great help to his goaltenders. John Gibson and Frederik Andersen are bidding to become Boudreau’s anchor goalie in the playoffs, the Orange County Register’s Steve Fryer notes. And yet, Gibson’s playoff record is 2-2, with all four games last year. Andersen is 3-2 in seven games, all last year. Playing at the Pond would be huge for both goalies.

MORE: Must-see highlights | Alex Ovechkin has 50 goals, chasing first Stanley Cup

The Penguins, meanwhile, are contending with the New York Islanders for second in the Atlantic Division, with the Washington Capitals close behind. Addressing Wednesday’s game, Gene Collier of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote the Flyers “are here for 60 minutes or more of God-knows-what” — mayhem, malarkey, malfeasance, mischief, the whole nine yards, in addition to hockey.

A victory Wednesday would put the Pens two points up on the Islanders, with both teams having five games to play before the regular season ends on April 11. They also would gain in the Washington Capitals, who are a point behind the Pens and Islanders after their Tuesday victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Remember what was mentioned about home-ice advantage and matchups? Here’s the third thorn in the triple crown of playoff hockey: health. As Joe Starkey wrote in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, few figured the Penguins would be in such good shape (insert Marc-Andre Fleury joke here) given the long injury absences of Olli Mattaa and Pascal Dupuis, among others.

Entering the playoffs with good health is key, because everything from concussion and blow knees to spleen removal awaits. The best teams overcome injuries. Others play golf in May.

MORE: East’s players chasing first Cup | West’s long-suffering players

If the playoffs began today, here are your first-round matchups.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

First team listed holds home-ice advantage. * - has secured playoff berth

New York Rangers* vs. vs. Boston Bruins (second wild card)

Montreal Canadiens * vs. Washington Capitals (holds first wild card

Tampa Bay Lightning * vs. Detroit Red Wings (2 vs. 3, Atlantic Division)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders (2 vs. 3, Metropolitan Division)

Outside looking in: Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks * vs. Winnipeg Jets (second wild card)

Nashville Predators * vs. Minnesota Wild (first wild card)

St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2 vs. 3, Central Division)

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames (2 vs. 3, Pacific Division)

Outside looking in: Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars