Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017 bracket: Predators sweep Blackhawks

Three teams have now secured their spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with five left to join them.

The Nashville Predators completed their sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, winning 4-1 at Bridgestone Arena to move on to the next round in the Western Conference. They’re the second team of the night to win their series, eliminating Chicago very shortly after the Pittsburgh Penguins won Game 5 of their series to oust the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here’s a look at the latest updated bracket, with the Predators, Penguins, and Ducks all through to the conference semifinals.

The Blackhawks, who went into the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference, have now lost in the first round of the playoffs two years in a row. Last season, they were bounced in seven games by the St. Louis Blues, just a year after winning their third Stanley Cup in six years. Chicago also hasn’t been swept in a playoff series since a 1993 division semifinal loss to St. Louis.

Nashville advances to the second round now to play either the Blues or the Minnesota Wild, with St. Louis currently holding a 3-1 lead heading into Saturday’s Game 5. They’ll be looking to advance past the second round for the first time in franchise history, losing there last year to the San Jose Sharks.

This leaves five series left to be decided in the first round of these playoffs. The next team to join Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Anaheim could be the Ottawa Senators, as they try to eliminate the Boston Bruins on Friday night.

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As for other remaining series, the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks are tied 2-2, as are the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. The New York Rangers took a 3-2 lead over the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night with an overtime winner from Mika Zibanejad.

Stay tuned to FanSided for continuing coverage throughout the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.