Justin-Abdelkader-11-27-13

The Detroit Red Wings will meet the Boston Bruins in the postseason for the first time since 1957 when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next week.

(AP File Photo)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins have been in the NHL since the 1920s, but they haven't met in the playoffs in more than half a century.

That will change next week.

A Red Wings-Bruins first-round matchup was set Saturday, after victories by Columbus and Philadelphia. Columbus beat Florida 3-2 and Philadelphia knocked off Pittsburgh 4-3 in overtime.

The Red Wings (91 points) are locked into the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins (117 points) clinched the Presidents' Trophy Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Buffalo.

The playoff schedule will be released Sunday night.

The Red Wings, who wrap up the regular season Sunday at St. Louis (12:30 p.m., NBC) won the season series from the Bruins 3-1, outscoring them 13-9. Detroit won the final three games against their Atlantic Division rival (3-2, 6-1 and 3-2) after losing 4-1 in the first meeting.

These historic franchises haven't met in the postseason since 1957, when the Bruins eliminated the Red Wings in the semifinals (4-1) during the six-team era.

The Bruins won't finish with the best record in the NHL by accident. They are a big, physical team that has plenty of skill, too.

They have six players with 51 or more points in David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Jarome Iginla, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith, the younger brother of Detroit defenseman Brendan Smith. Boston's strong defense is anchored by 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara, a likely Norris Trophy finalist. Tuukka Rask (36-15-6, 2.04 goals-against average and .930 save percentage) is one of the best goaltenders in the league.

Boston has reached the Stanley Cup final twice in the past three seasons, beating Vancouver in seven games in 2011 and losing to Chicago in six games in 2013.