There have been a variety of permutations of Eastern Conference playoff groups up to now few weeks past the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, who seem fairly steady of their positions atop the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions, respectively.
Two of the groups which were using the teacups are the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders.
The ship in all probability has sailed on both membership catching the Canes for the No. 1 seed within the division, however each are squarely within the combine for the Nos. 2 and three seeds; and if the pair do wind up in these slots, they’d sq. off within the first spherical of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Monday is the ultimate regular-season matchup between the golf equipment (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network), and so they’ve cut up the season collection thus far. So this remaining recreation may have a significant influence on the standings.
Heading into Monday’s recreation, the Isles might be within the No. 2 place, with 89 factors and 28 regulation wins by means of 74 video games; the Penguins are No. 3, with 88 factors and 29 regulation wins by means of 73 video games. What are the possibilities they wind up matched up in Round 1?
According to Stathletes projections, there’s a 27.03% probability of Penguins-Islanders being one of many first matchups within the 2026 bracket. But there is a higher probability that the third Metro crew within the combine — the Columbus Blue Jackets — takes the Isles’ place; Stathletes tasks a Penguins-Blue Jackets first-round collection occurring in 33.34% of simulations.
Given the small margins, count on this race to come back proper all the way down to the ultimate days of the common season.
Every crew has not more than 11 video games remaining earlier than the common season concludes April 16, and we’ll allow you to hold 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 chances are high 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 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
A2 Buffalo Sabres vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
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
Today’s video games
Note: All occasions ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions apply).
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m.
Last night time’s scoreboard
New York Rangers 3, Florida Panthers 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Nashville Predators 2
Montreal Canadiens 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Boston Bruins 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (SO)
New Jersey Devils 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
Philadelphia Flyers 2, Dallas Stars 1 (OT)
Expanded standings
Note: An “x” with a crew’s title means the membership has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” implies 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 primary spherical, so the crew that finishes in final place will not be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a crew 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 time is Gavin McKenna, a ahead for Penn State.
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ decide belongs to the Bruins, except it lands within the high 5.
