The first round of the 2015 NHL playoffs are coming to a close.

A total of 16 teams qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, but just eight will remain shortly. Lord's Stanley cup is hailed as the best championship trophy in all of sports, and it's almost time to yet again crown another champion.

Hockey fans are gifted with three games on Friday, two of which are potential elimination games. Latin Post breaks down the three games and pick the winners:

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Rangers struck first in this series with a 2-1 victory at Madison Square Garden. Although the Penguins won Game 2, the Rangers have won each of the last two games to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Last season ended in a disappointing Stanley Cup loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but this Rangers squad is looking better than ever, and they will have home-ice advantage throughout the postseason.

For the Penguins, this is everything. If they lose this game, they will be eliminated by the Rangers for a second consecutive postseason. To make things even harder, the Penguins dropped both games at home the series, and Sidney Crosby's team has to return to the Big Apple. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury isn't playing terrible, but Evgeni Malkin needs to improve his play.

Schedule

The Rangers and Penguins will play each other on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The game will be shown on NBC.

Predictions

As much as the Penguins need this game, the Rangers will win and continue their run for another Stanley Cup championship appearance. Henrik Lundqvist makes the difference.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators

It's been a long time since the country of Canada last won a Stanley Cup, 22 years to be exact. Carey Price is looking to do for the Canadiens what legendary goalie Patrick Roy once did. His team is off to a great start. The Canadiens hold a dominating 3-1 series advantage. P.K. Subban makes a huge difference with his enormous shot from the point and his powerful hits.

The Senators haven't made it back to the third round of the NHL playoffs since their Stanley Cup loss to the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. The Senators won Game 3 thanks to Mike Hoffman's goal in the final period. Unfortunately for the Senators, they will have to win Game 4 on the road.

Schedule

The Canadiens and Senators will play each other on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. EST at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The game will be shown on CBC.

Predictions

This should be a close game between two Canadian teams who can't stand each other. The Senators will stay alive to fight another day, and make the series 3-2.

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Over in the Western Conference, the Wild and Blues are deadlocked at 2-2 after four games. This has been an interesting series because each game has been rotating with a different winner, and the last three games have all been blowouts.

The Blues are the No. 2 seed in the West, and they will have home ice advantage Friday night. The Blues destroyed the Wild last game, 6-1. Vladimir Tarasenko now has five goals this postseason. But, the Wild will have their say. The Wild won Game 3, 3-0, thanks to goalie Devan Dubnyk's shutout performance.

Schedule

The Wild and Blues will play each other on Friday, April 24 at 9:30 p.m. EST at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The game will be shown on NBC.

Prediction

There's a good chance this series goes the full seven games. Although the Blues won the last game, we're going to keep the rotating win theme going. Wild win Game 5 and take a 3-2 series lead.

You can watch full NHL game streams here.

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