The Stanley Cup is going to belong to somebody pretty soon.

But not before a fast-changing playoff picture solidifies and sets the stage for the unpredictable slog of postseason action -- 16 teams’ respective runs to a shot at the title.

Maybe history will repeat itself and see the Pittsburgh Penguins glide to the top. Maybe some fresh blood will taste victory. In any event, the possibilities are wide open.

When it comes to the final series, though, here are three showdowns we would be stoked to watch:

Calgary Flames vs. Washington Capitals

The blazing underdog against this year’s crown jewel of the NHL.

Statistically speaking, the Capitals would enter such a title showdown with just about every edge except for success on the road, where the Flames have taken just slightly more away contests than Washington.

But Calgary entered its last week of regular-season play with a real shot at the Pacific Division title thanks to a tremendous close to the season -- the Flames entered this week 17-5-1 since February. And they would make for one heck of a scrappy opponent for the Capitals, who obviously would be in search of their ever-elusive first Cup championship.

Think how much grief Washington and its fans would catch if the Caps couldn’t use their league-leading defense to top a team they clearly outmatch, but one that has been as hot as anyone down the stretch.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The explosive matchup of premier goal scorers.

There are a handful of teams with as much, if not more, offensive firepower than the Oilers, who entered their final week of pre-playoffs competition ranked 10th in goals. But there aren’t any other teams with Connor McDavid, and the Edmonton stud helped make two thrillers against the Pens this season worth more than a passing glance.

McDavid vs. Sidney Crosby. The potential drama of Pittsburgh’s goalie situation -- does Marc-Andre Fleury get some action? The Pens’ high-flying offense, by far the best in the league, against the Oilers’ streaky success on the road. It all adds up to a highlight-reel series, even if we all got our fair share of Crosby and Co. in the postseason last spring.

The last time the Pens and Oilers met, we got a taste of the type of fast-paced, down-to-the-wire action that would give the NHL a championship bout hockey fans deserve.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Defense vs. defense.

Let’s say the Capitals get washed out of the bracket. There is still a crop of contenders with top-notch defensive marks, and that crop includes both the Ducks and Blue Jackets, a pair of teams that have not exactly gotten the praise their success warrants.

Anaheim might be the NHL’s most dominant team of the month, fresh off a four-game win streak and 8-1-1 stretch that saw them roll over big-timers like the New York Rangers. Columbus, meanwhile, has been running nearly parallel with the No. 1-ranked Caps when it comes to goal differential -- the club had only surrendered 171 goals entering the week -- and hasn’t been slumping late in the season, either.

Columbus simply getting into the Stanley Cup Final would be historic for the NHL’s playoff newbie. Taking on Anaheim with a shot at showcasing the league’s top “D” would be even better.