For two straight seasons, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have met within the Western Conference finals, with the Oilers successful each matchups.
Are these groups headed on one more collision course on the penultimate stage of the postseason? And will the third time be the allure for the Stars?
Before we get too far down the highway, the Stars are internet hosting the Oilers for a Thursday evening conflict (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu) — considered one of 14 video games on the schedule! (Get a number of gadgets with multiview able to roll, apparently!)
So far, the Stars have been the dominant workforce on this matchup, successful each video games in 2025-26: a 4-3 shootout win in Dallas on Nov. 4 and an 8-3 demolition in Edmonton on Nov. 25.
The groups are clearly totally different now, and this might be fairly the take a look at for each because the postseason approaches.
Dallas is the No. 2 workforce within the Central Division, matched up as of now with the Minnesota Wild within the first spherical. If Dallas wins that sequence, it is going to tackle the winner of the Colorado Avalanche vs. (probably) the second wild card.
Edmonton and the Vegas Golden Knights are at the moment matched up within the Pacific Division bracket, and a win in that sequence will get the Oilers a showdown towards the winner of the Anaheim Ducks vs. the opposite wild card workforce.
If all that comes up victoriously for each golf equipment, it is Stars-Oilers III for the title of finest within the West. As of now, Stathletes tasks the Avalanche as having the best probabilities of reaching the Western Conference finals (43.0%), trailed by the Oilers (37.6%), Wild (31.3%), Golden Knights (23.0%), Utah Mammoth (22.9%), then the Stars (15.9%).
Every workforce has fewer than 20 video games left earlier than the season concludes April 16, and we’ll allow you to preserve monitor of all of it right here on the NHL playoff watch on daily basis. 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 by way of Stathletes.
Jump forward:
Current playoff matchups
Thursday’s schedule
Wednesday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Boston Bruins
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York Islanders
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Thursday’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).
San Jose Sharks at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Calgary Flames at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Philadelphia Flyers at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Utah Mammoth, 9 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Wednesday’s scoreboard
Montreal Canadiens 3, Ottawa Senators 2
Philadelphia Flyers 4, Washington Capitals 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: A1
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 108.5
Next sport: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: A2
Games left: 19
Points tempo: 106.7
Next sport: vs. DET (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: A3
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 105.1
Next sport: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 89.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 99.7
Next sport: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 43.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 99.9
Next sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 73.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 93.5
Next sport: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 66%
Tragic quantity: 31
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 85.8
Next sport: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 1%
Tragic quantity: 25
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 82
Next sport: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 21
Metro Division
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: M1
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 112.8
Next sport: vs. STL (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: M2
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 101.2
Next sport: @ VGK (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 57.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: M3
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 99.7
Next sport: vs. LA (Friday)
Playoff possibilities: 71.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 97.4
Next sport: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 78.3%
Tragic quantity: 34
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 91.0
Next sport: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 3.4%
Tragic quantity: 29
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 16
Points tempo: 88.2
Next sport: @ BUF (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 13.7%
Tragic quantity: 25
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 84.6
Next sport: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 2.5%
Tragic quantity: 24
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 76.9
Next sport: @ WPG (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 18
Central Division
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C1
Games left: 19
Points tempo: 123.7
Next sport: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: C2
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 115.3
Next sport: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: C3
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 109.8
Next sport: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 92.1
Next sport: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 96.3%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 84.6
Next sport: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 12.8%
Tragic quantity: 35
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 19
Points tempo: 80.7
Next sport: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 5.9%
Tragic quantity: 33
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 76.9
Next sport: @ CAR (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.9%
Tragic quantity: 29
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 75.6
Next sport: @ UTA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 28
Pacific Division
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: P1
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 96.1
Next sport: @ TOR (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: P2
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 90.8
Next sport: @ DAL (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 93.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: P3
Games left: 17
Points tempo: 90.8
Next sport: vs. PIT (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 96%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 19
Points tempo: 87.2
Next sport: vs. COL (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 15%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 85.8
Next sport: @ NYI (Friday)
Playoff possibilities: 19%
Tragic quantity: 36
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 20
Points tempo: 87.3
Next sport: @ BOS (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 61.1%
Tragic quantity: 39
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 73.0
Next sport: @ NJ (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 26
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 18
Points tempo: 58.9
Next sport: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 15
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 workforce that finishes in final place is just not assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a workforce 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.
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 23
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ decide belongs to the Bruins, except it lands within the prime 5.
