The Nashville Predators have clinched a playoff berth with their overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets, but outcomes of other games in the NHL affect who they might face in the first round.

On Wednesday night, the Vegas Golden Knights lost 5-1 to the Edmonton Oilers, an outcome that shifts the Predators' potential first-round opponent dramatically.

The Vegas Golden Knights, currently in the second wild card position, are the only team that can catch the Predators, currently in the first wild card position. With their loss to the Oilers, the Golden Knights are going to have a tough time catching the Predators.

According to Playoff Status, Nashville's magic number to clinch the first wild card is four points. Any combination of four points gained by the Predators or lost by the Golden Knights would do it.

The Predators could clinch the first wild card position with wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets this weekend.

But the bigger story is what this means for Nashville's potential first-round opponent.

Wednesday's result increases the likelihood that the Predators will face the Oilers in the first round. As of Thursday, Nashville has a 51% of facing Vancouver and a 30% of facing Edmonton.

This is because the Oilers now have a significant chance of catching the Canucks for the Pacific Division title. If that happens, and if Predators lock up the first wild card position, Nashville would face Edmonton when the playoffs begin April 20.

The Oilers have five games remaining, including three games against Arizona and San Jose. They also host a pivotal home game against the Canucks on April 13.

Nashville's third-most likely opponent is the Dallas Stars. Since the Stars have a stranglehold on the No. 1 seed in the West, and since the Predators seem headed toward the first wild card position, that matchup is less likely.

CLINCHED: What Nashville Predators players said about making Stanley Cup playoffs for first time since 2022

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Vegas loss impacted the Nashville Predators' playoff opponent