NHL playoff picture: Wild in command, pushing toward division

The Minnesota Wild have seized control of the Western Conference wild card race, and now have their sights set on the Central Division following a fifth straight road victory Thursday in Washington.

Here's how the rest of the playoff picture shakes out:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

The Lightning held serve at home and inched to within two points of the Canadiens, who salvaged just a single in their trip through California after a shootout loss to the Kings.

Metropolitan

The Islanders reclaimed top seeding in the Metro with a 4-3 win in Nashville. Good thing - the Rangers and Penguins now own three games in hand. 

Wild Card

With a critical comeback victory over St. Louis, the Flyers moved back to within four points of the Bruins, who settled for a solo in a shootout loss. Meanwhile, third-stringer Dan Ellis did enough to help Florida keep pace, but the Panthers failed to gain ground in suffering a shootout loss of their own.

Western Conference

Central

The Predators lost their fifth straight game and third in a row on home ice, but maintain a four-point lead over the Blues, who dropped to 2-2 on their current road trip with a 3-1 loss to the Flyers.

Pacific

The Flames maintained grip on the Pacific Division's final postseason spot thanks some unexpected shootout heroics from newcomer David Schlemko, who was called upon in the eighth round. The Kings grabbed an additional shootout point of their own after scoring with the net empty.

Wild Card

The Wild leapfrogged the idle Jets into top spot in the West's wild-card race with a comeback win over the Ovechkin-less Capitals. They're just four points back of the Blackhawks for the final guaranteed postseason position in the Central. 

Race for Last

The Maple Leafs lost their 16th road game since the calendar turned, and picked up a game on Carolina and Columbus, who both return to action Friday. The Coyotes halted a 10-game skid with a win versus the Canucks to move three points out of Jack McEichel positioning.