Late scramble sets up Stanley Cup first round

The Senators' 3-1 victory over Philadelphia capped a 23-4-4 run to end the season and lay an 11th-hour claim on an Eastern playoff slot.

One of the league's bottom dwellers just two months ago, the Senators will visit Montreal once the first round begins on Wednesday, after the Canadiens clinched first place in the Atlantic division with a 4-3 shootout win over Toronto.

Also clinching at the last minute was Pittsburgh, who beat Buffalo 2-0. The Penguins will face the President's Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh's win combined with Boston's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay means the 2013 Cup finalist Bruins will miss the post-season for the first time since 2007.

The Lightning will host Detroit in the first round.

The other Eastern matchup will see the Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders, who failed to clinch second in the Metropolitan division with their 5-4 shootout loss to Columbus.

In the Western Conference, Anaheim claimed top seed with a 2-1 win over Arizona and will host the Winnipeg Jets, who are making their first playoff appearance since moving from Atlanta in 2011.

In the other matchups, Vancouver will host Calgary, St Louis will face Minnesota, and Nashville will have home advantage against Chicago.