As the regular season winds down, several teams have clinched playoff spots, but wild-card races remain tight.
Category: Sports
The NHL playoff picture is becoming clearer as the regular season approaches its final days, but with just a handful of games left, the wild-card races in both conferences are still fraught with uncertainty. As of April 9, 2026, the Nashville Predators hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference by a slim margin, just one point ahead of their competitors.
Entering the final week of the season, the Colorado Avalanche have already clinched a playoff berth, leading the Central Division with 114 points, thanks to an impressive record of 46 regulation wins. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild have also secured their places in the postseason, sitting at 106 and 102 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers lead the Pacific Division with 90 points, closely followed by the Utah Mammoth, who have made history by clinching a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.
On April 9, the Mammoth secured their playoff spot with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, who now face a precarious situation as they strive to maintain their wild-card position. The Predators, sitting at 84 points with 27 regulation wins, have three games remaining, including a key matchup against the Minnesota Wild on April 11.
In the Eastern Conference, the playoff picture is taking shape as well. The Buffalo Sabres have emerged as a dominant force, leading the Atlantic Division with 106 points and ending a record 14-season playoff drought. They are followed by the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are both also in playoff contention. The Lightning fell to third place after a loss to the Canadiens, increasing the stakes for their remaining games.
The Ottawa Senators currently occupy the second wild-card spot in the East with 94 points, having pulled ahead of the Boston Bruins, who sit in the first wild-card position with 96 points. The Senators are two points behind the Bruins, making their upcoming games against the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils critically important.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who have been absent from the playoffs for three seasons, clinched their spot on April 9, marking a triumphant return to postseason play. With home-ice advantage secured, they are positioned to make a strong showing in the playoffs.
As the regular season winds down, teams are vying for playoff berths and for favorable matchups. The first round of the playoffs is set to begin on April 18, following the completion of the regular season on April 16. The stakes are high, and every game counts as teams jostle for position.
In the Western Conference, the race for the wild-card spots is heating up. The Los Angeles Kings have recently overtaken the Predators for the second wild-card position, sitting at 85 points with a record of 20 regulation wins. The Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, and St. Louis Blues are also in contention, with points ranging from 78 to 82, making the final games of the season a nail-biter for fans and players alike.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference is similarly competitive. The Philadelphia Flyers currently hold the third spot in the Metropolitan Division, but they are closely pursued by the New York Islanders, who trail by just one point. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals are also in the mix, making the final games of the season even more intense.
As teams prepare for the playoffs, they are also considering potential matchups. The current projected playoff bracket shows the Colorado Avalanche facing the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, with the Dallas Stars set to meet the Minnesota Wild. In the East, the Buffalo Sabres are projected to face the Boston Bruins, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to go against the Philadelphia Flyers.
With the regular season drawing to a close, the focus is now on the final games and how they will shape the playoff picture. Teams are looking to solidify their positions and gain momentum heading into the postseason. As fans eagerly await the start of the playoffs, the next few days promise to be filled with excitement and drama.
As the NHL prepares for the postseason, the league's competitive balance has never been more evident. With numerous teams vying for playoff spots and several franchises looking to make a statement, the upcoming days will be a test of skill, strategy, and resilience.
In the coming days, every game will have implications for the playoff standings. As of now, the NHL's regular season is set to conclude on April 16, with the playoffs kicking off just two days later on April 18. The anticipation is building, and teams are ready to fight for their chance at the Stanley Cup.