Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis

The Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg (left) and Gustav Nyquist might be facing Tampa Bay and 6-7 goalie Ben Bishop in the first round. Melanie Maxwell | Mlive.com

(Melanie Maxwell/The Ann Arbor News)

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Detroit Red Wings head into their regular season finale Saturday at Carolina still trying to sort out their goaltending situation, whether Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek is their man for the playoffs.

Their first-round opponent, whoever that may be, has no such concerns.

The Red Wings will face Montreal, Tampa Bay or the New York Rangers in a series that will begin on the road, either Wednesday or Thursday. They are different types of teams, but they have at least one thing in common: strong goaltending.

If the Red Wings earn one point against the Hurricanes or Ottawa loses Saturday at Philadelphia (regulation, overtime or shootout), Detroit will finish third in the Atlantic Division and face whoever winds up second - Tampa Bay or Montreal. The Canadiens, who visit Toronto, have a two-point lead on the Lightning, who host Boston and own the tie-breaker against Montreal.

If the Senators pass Detroit, the Red Wings will finish with one of the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference, depending on the results of several games. If the Red Wings get the first wild card spot they'll play the Atlantic Division winner. If they get the second wild card spot they'll play the Rangers, who clinched the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the league.

Here is a breakdown of the Red Wings' possible playoff opponents:

Tampa Bay Lightning

It would be the first-ever postseason meeting between the clubs. The Lightning, under general manager and longtime Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, have rebuilt their roster over the past few seasons. They know what it takes to beat the Red Wings, having won seven of their past nine meetings.

The Lightning are young and fast and lead the league in goals per game (3.17) despite an average power play (ranked 15th). They're led by Steven Stamkos, one of the top snipers in the game (43 goals, 72 points), and Tyler Johnson (72 points). They have four players with 24 or more goals.

Ben Bishop, their 6-foot-7 goaltender, has put together strong back-to-back seasons, but he's never appeared in a playoff game. He was injured just before the 2014 playoffs and the Lightning were swept by Montreal in the first round.

Montreal Canadiens

If you're into nostalgia, this is your series. These Original Six rivals have met 12 times in the playoffs (Detroit leads 7-5), but not since 1978.

The Canadiens swept the four-game season series, winning twice in overtime, and have won six in a row vs. the Red Wings, outscoring them 22-12.

It's no surprise Montreal has allowed the fewest goals. Goaltender Carey Price leads the league in wins (43), goals-against average (1.95) and save percentage (.934) and is tied for the lead in shutouts (nine) with Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury and Washington's Braden Holtby.

Offense might be a concern for the Canadiens if leading scorer Max Pacioretty (concussion), who has 37 goals and 67 points, isn't back soon. Montreal ranks 20th in goals per game.

But the Canadiens have some firepower on the blue line with P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, who've combined for 25 goals and 109 points.

New York Rangers

Among their Original Six rivals, the Red Wings have gone the longest without facing the Rangers in the postseason. Their most recent playoff meeting came in the 1950 Stanley Cup finals.

The Rangers have a deep, well-balanced team; that's how they won the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the NHL. Rick Nash, who the Red Wings know well from his years with Columbus, leads the Rangers with 42 goals and 69 points. They have three others with 50 or more points (Derrick Brassard, Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis). They have a strong defense led by Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, the 2012 Vezina Trophy winner, is back from a neck injury. The Rangers didn't miss a beat during his eight-week absence as Cam Talbot flourished and even has a slightly better GAA (2.21) and save percentage (.926) than Lundqvist.

The Red Wings won the past two meetings after the Rangers had won five in a row. Four of the past seven games between the clubs have been decided in overtime. These teams have played close, low-scoring games against each other of late.

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