With 30 out of 32 NHL groups in motion throughout Showdown Saturday — and shut races for a lot of spots within the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs — the standings and projections have shifted once more.
Ahead of Sunday’s slate of six contests, how are the races shaping up?
In the East, the Boston Bruins (90 factors and 30 regulation wins by means of 73 video games) and Columbus Blue Jackets (87 factors, 27 regulation wins in 73 video games) maintain the valuable wild-card positions. They are trailed most intently by the Ottawa Senators (86 factors, 32 regulation wins in 73 video games) and Detroit Red Wings (86 factors, 28 regulation wins in 73 video games).
With the B’s and Blue Jackets squaring off Sunday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+), the Sens, Wings and different groups on the surface might be hoping for a regulation win for one group or the opposite (an time beyond regulation/shootout loss offers an additional level). The Philadelphia Flyers are additionally in motion Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+) vs. the Dallas Stars. If Philly (84 factors, 23 regulation wins in 72 video games) goes to make a run to the postseason, grabbing two factors off Dallas can be a pleasant increase.
The Washington Capitals (83 factors, 31 regulation wins in 74 video games) are idle Sunday, however stay on the fringes.
How do the projections look? Stathletes has the Blue Jackets qualifying because the No. 3 seed within the Metro Division (99.5 factors), with the Senators (98.6) and Bruins (98.2) incomes the wild playing cards. The idle New York Islanders (who entered the day because the No. 3 Metro group) and the Red Wings each miss out.
Fewer groups of curiosity within the Western wild-card race hit the ice Sunday — however the one which does is fairly vital: the Nashville Predators, who at the moment maintain the No. 2 wild card.
The Preds go to the Tampa Bay Lightning (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+), seeking to bolster their buffer. Nashville enters play Sunday with 77 factors and 25 regulation wins in 73 video games, forward of the Los Angeles Kings (76 factors, 19 regulation wins in 73 video games), Seattle Kraken (75 factors, 25 regulation wins in 72 video games), Winnipeg Jets (74 factors, 25 regulation wins in 73 video games) and San Jose Sharks (73 factors, 21 regulation wins in 71 video games).
The projections fall the Kings’ method. Stathletes has L.A. ending within the second wild-card spot with 86.6 factors, forward of Nashville (85.3), San Jose (84.9), Seattle (81.9) and Winnipeg (81.1).
Every group has round 10 video games remaining earlier than the common season concludes April 16, and we’ll aid you maintain monitor of all of it right here on the NHL playoff watch every single day. As we traverse the ultimate stretch, we’ll present particulars on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff likelihood is through 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 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 New York Islanders vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Sunday’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 New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning, 5 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets, 5 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Dallas Stars at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Saturday evening’s scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 5, New Jersey Devils 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Ottawa Senators 2
New York Islanders 5, Florida Panthers 2
Edmonton Oilers 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Boston Bruins 6, Minnesota Wild 3
Dallas Stars 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
San Jose Sharks 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Buffalo Sabres 3, Seattle Kraken 2 (SO)
St. Louis Blues 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Montreal Canadiens 4, Nashville Predators 1
Winnipeg Jets 4, Colorado Avalanche 2
Philadelphia Flyers 5, Detroit Red Wings 3
Utah Mammoth 6, Los Angeles Kings 2
Calgary Flames 7, Vancouver Canucks 3
Washington Capitals 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (SO)
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: A1
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 108.6
Next recreation: vs. NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Magic quantity: 6
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: A2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 109.3
Next recreation: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Magic quantity: 8
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: A3
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 104.8
Next recreation: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 93.2%
Magic quantity: 12
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 101.1
Next recreation: @ CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 62.2%
Magic quantity: 14
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 96.6
Next recreation: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 73%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 17
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 96.6
Next recreation: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 39.8%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 17
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 83.1
Next recreation: @ ANA (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 4
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 83.1
Next recreation: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 6
Metro Division
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: M1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 111.6
Next recreation: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Magic quantity: 6
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: M2
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 98.6
Next recreation: vs. PIT (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 47.4%
Magic quantity: 15
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: M3
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 98.9
Next recreation: @ NYI (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 89.6%
Magic quantity: 16
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 97.7
Next recreation: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 81.8%
Magic quantity: 17
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 95.7
Next recreation: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 10.6%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 17
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 92.0
Next recreation: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 2.2%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 12
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 86.6
Next recreation: vs. CHI (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.3%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 9
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 75.3
Next recreation: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: OUT
Central Division
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff place: C1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 120.7
Next recreation: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Magic quantity: IN
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 111.2
Next recreation: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Magic quantity: IN
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: C3
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 104.2
Next recreation: vs. VAN (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Magic quantity: 1
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 90.9
Next recreation: vs. SEA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 95.8%
Magic quantity: 12
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 86.5
Next recreation: @ TB (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 32.6%
Magic quantity: 17
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 83.1
Next recreation: @ CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 2.2%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 15
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 83.1
Next recreation: @ SJ (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 4.6%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 16
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 75.3
Next recreation: @ NJ (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 8
Pacific Division
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: P1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 96.6
Next recreation: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Magic quantity: 8
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: P2
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 92.0
Next recreation: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 93.7%
Magic quantity: 11
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: P3
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 88.7
Next recreation: vs. VAN (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 97.3%
Magic quantity: 14
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 85.4
Next recreation: vs. STL (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 43.7%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 17
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 85.4
Next recreation: @ EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 5.5%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 18
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 84.3
Next recreation: vs. STL (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 24.6%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 18
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 78.6
Next recreation: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: 11
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 56.9
Next recreation: @ VGK (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Magic quantity: N/A
Tragic quantity: OUT
Note: An “x” with a group’s title means the membership has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” implies that the membership has been mathematically eradicated.
Race for the No. 1 decide
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place isn’t 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.
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ decide belongs to the Bruins, except it lands within the prime 5.
