There are solely 10 days left in the 2025-26 NHL common season. Seven groups have clinched a playoff berth, and 5 groups have been mathematically eradicated.
As for the different 20, their postseason plans stay in the air — and there is additionally the matter of ultimate playoff seeding to type out.
Tuesday is one other comparatively heavy day on the NHL calendar, with 11 video games on the schedule. Here are the six that can have the largest influence on the postseason image:
Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
This is not fully a “loser leaves town” match, however we’re getting near that time for each golf equipment. (And to suppose, each of them appeared like locks at varied instances this season.) Both groups are simply two factors behind the Senators for the remaining Eastern Conference wild card, however each path Ottawa in regulation wins (the first tiebreaker) by extra video games than they’ve left. So, they may have to be forward in factors, which is a tall process given how they’ve each carried out currently. A regulation loss by both will probably be a serious swing.
Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks
10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Predators have been battling the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks for the second wild card in the West. Following Monday’s video games, the Preds are a degree behind the Kings with 82 factors and 26 regulation wins via 77 video games, with the Sharks (81 factors, 25 RW via 76 video games) proper there.
On the different aspect, the Ducks are not the “surprising Ducks” anymore, they usually nonetheless have a shot to say the Pacific Division title. They enter Tuesday’s sport tied with the Oilers in standings factors, however with six fewer regulation wins (with fewer than six video games remaining); they’re going to want to complete with extra factors than Edmonton to take the crown.
Edmonton Oilers at Utah Mammoth
9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Speaking of the Oilers, they do maintain the RW tiebreaker over the Ducks however want to salt away the division title on factors alone if doable. At stake for the division winner? A primary-round matchup in opposition to these exact same Utah Mammoth, who’re poised to carry postseason hockey to the Beehive State for the first time in its 130-year historical past.
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils
7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Like an RKO, the Flyers’ playoff push got here “outta nowhere,” they usually start play Tuesday as the Metro Division’s No. 3 seed. But they’re something however safe in that spot with three groups inside three factors of them — all of which have larger regulation win totals. And although they’re tied with the Senators in the potential wild-card race, they’re 10 RW behind Ottawa. In different phrases, Philly wants all the standings factors it might get.
As for the Devils, they’ve already reached 40 wins this season, however are on the fringe of mathematical elimination because of too many regulation losses. Nevertheless, they would definitely relish an opportunity to submarine the playoff possibilities of their I-95 rivals.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
It has been a dramatic season for the Senators for varied on- and off-ice causes. But as of Tuesday, they’re in a playoff spot because of a latest 6-3-1 run, and are in the driver’s seat relating to the regulation wins tiebreaker, with 34. Getting factors right here (by way of a win or time beyond regulation/shootout loss) can be a bonus, on condition that their 4 video games after this one are in opposition to groups at the moment exterior of playoff place (Panthers, Islanders, Devils, Maple Leafs).
The Lightning are tied with the Buffalo Sabres in standings factors and two factors forward of the Montreal Canadiens atop the Atlantic Division; they’re additionally two behind the Hurricanes for first in the East.
Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Should the Atlantic Division champ overtake the Hurricanes — or the Bruins fall to the second wild card — this might be a first-round matchup. But even with out that backdrop, this can be a essential set of factors for each groups, as the Bruins can nonetheless theoretically catch the groups forward of them in the division, and the Canes wish to keep their home-ice benefit for so long as doable this postseason; solely the Colorado Avalanche outrank them proper now.
Every group has six or fewer video games remaining earlier than the common season concludes April 16, and we’ll show you how to preserve monitor of all of it right here on the NHL playoff watch on daily basis. As we traverse the remaining stretch, we’ll present particulars on all the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are high by way of Stathletes.
Jump forward:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Buffalo Sabres vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Edmonton Oilers vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Anaheim Ducks vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Today’s video games
Note: All instances ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions apply).
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Utah Mammoth, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Last evening’s scoreboard
Buffalo Sabres 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Winnipeg Jets 6, Seattle Kraken 2
San Jose Sharks 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Los Angeles Kings 3, Nashville Predators 2 (SO)
Expanded standings
Note: An “x” with a group’s title means the membership has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” signifies that the membership has been mathematically eradicated. Teams clinch a playoff spot when their magic quantity reaches zero, and are mathematically eradicated when their tragic quantity reaches zero.
Atlantic Division
Metro Division
Central Division
Pacific Division
Race for the No. 1 decide
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the first spherical, so the group that finishes in final place shouldn’t be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 decide. Full details on the process can be found here. Atop draft boards for this summer season is Gavin McKenna, a ahead for Penn State.
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ decide belongs to the Bruins, except it lands in the top 5.
