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NHL playoffs 2017: Updated bracket after Oilers beat Sharks

By Dave Stevenson

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 22: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Edmonton Oilers after the Oilers win the game and the First Round in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose on April 22, 2017 in San Jose, California. The Oilers defeated the Sharks 3-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 22: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Edmonton Oilers after the Oilers win the game and the First Round in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose on April 22, 2017 in San Jose, California. The Oilers defeated the Sharks 3-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Edmonton Oilers beat the San Jose Sharks in six games. Here’s an updated Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket.

For the first time in over a decade, the Edmonton Oilers have advanced in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They haven’t won a playoff series since advancing to the Stanley Cup Final in 2005-06. Edmonton beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round to end the streak. A 3-1 win in Game 6 confirmed their fate. Thanks to two breakaway goals in under a minute, Edmonton got out to a lead they never lost. Here’s an updated Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket.

Edmonton will now face the top seed in the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks. A Battle of Alberta in the second round with the Calgary Flames would have been a better matchup, but it should still be an excellent series. Edmonton went 3-2-0 against the Ducks during the regular season. Anaheim has a lot of rest, as they swept the Flames and last played on April 19. Whoever wins that series will go on to the Western Conference Finals and face the winner of the series between the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators.

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For the Sharks, this could be the beginning of a lot of changes for them. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are both aging and free agents. Game 6 might have been the last time they’ll be on the same team. If that’s the case, it’s been one heck of a ride for the top two picks of the 1997 NHL Draft. The Sharks couldn’t channel their magic from last season’s Stanley Cup Finals appearance. With San Jose having an older team, this might have been their last ride. This series loss will likely be the start of a new era for them.

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