{"id":585274,"date":"2026-04-04T15:51:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T15:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/585274\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T15:51:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T15:51:38","slug":"whos-in-2026-nhl-playoffs-latest-standings-bracket-and-tiebreakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/585274\/","title":{"rendered":"Who’s in 2026 NHL playoffs? Latest standings, bracket and tiebreakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Sabres<\/a> will try again to clinch a playoff spot and end their 14-season postseason drought.<\/p>\n

The Sabres lost on Thursday<\/a> in their first attempt, but if they beat the Washington Capitals<\/a> on Saturday, April 4, they will end the NHL<\/a>‘s longest drought. They would also clinch before the game starts if the Red Wings lose their afternoon game in regulation.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

In addition to making the playoffs, the Sabres could reclaim the Atlantic Division lead if they gain one more point than the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>. The Lightning can also clinch a playoff berth on Saturday and the Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division title.<\/p>\n

Saturday’s 15-game schedule is full of playoff implications.<\/p>\n

Ottawa, which holds the second wild-card spot in the East on a tiebreaker, is in action, as are Detroit and Columbus. All three teams have 88 points. Columbus could jump to third in the Metropolitan Division if it wins and the Islanders lose.<\/p>\n

San Jose, Nashville and Los Angeles, battling for the second wild-card spot in the West, are in action. All three are tied with 79 points. The Sharks hold the spot and host the Predators.<\/p>\n

Edmonton and Anaheim, tied at 87 points in the Pacific Division race, are in action. The Oilers moved into the lead on a tiebreaker after the Ducks lost on Friday. Vegas, three points back, visits Edmonton.<\/p>\n

Central Division-leading Colorado is facing No. 2 Dallas with a chance to build on its six-point lead.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans’ signs welcoming him back to Toronto.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.<\/p>\n

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20 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.<\/p>\n

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23 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers<\/p>\n

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24 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.<\/p>\n

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26 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.<\/p>\n

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27 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.<\/p>\n

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28 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.<\/p>\n

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29 \/ 29<\/p>\n

NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.<\/p>\n

Who’s in the 2026 NHL playoffs?<\/p>\n

Eastern Conference:\u00a0Carolina<\/p>\n

Western Conference:\u00a0Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota<\/p>\n

Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth today?<\/p>\n

The Buffalo Sabres will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Capitals or if the Red Wings lose in regulation. They’d also clinch if they get one point and either of the following occurs: The Red Wings lose or the Senators lose in regulation.<\/p>\n

The Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Bruins or the Red Wings lose in regulation. They’d also clinch if they get one point and either of the following occurs: The Red Wings lose or the Senators lose in regulation.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch the Metropolitan Division title if they defeat the Islanders in regulation and the Penguins fail to win in regulation. They’d also clinch if they win in overtime or a shootout and the Penguins lose. Another option: They gain one point and the Penguins lose in regulation.<\/p>\n

NHL games today (Saturday, April 4)<\/p>\n

Detroit at N.Y. Rangers, 12:30, ABC<\/p>\n

Colorado at Dallas, 3, ABC<\/p>\n

Montreal at New Jersey, 7, NHL Network<\/p>\n

N.Y. Islanders at Carolina, 7<\/p>\n

Toronto at Los Angeles, 7<\/p>\n

Nashville at San Jose, 10<\/p>\n

NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26<\/p>\n

After April 3 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Metropolitan Division<\/p>\n

x-Carolina Hurricanes (102)<\/p>\n

Atlantic Division<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning (100)<\/p>\n

Wild card<\/p>\n

Sitting out of playoff position: Detroit Red Wings (88), Columbus Blue Jackets (88), Philadelphia Flyers (88), Washington Capitals (85), New Jersey Devils (80), Florida Panthers (77), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (77), z-New York Rangers (71)<\/p>\n

NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26<\/p>\n

After April 3 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated<\/p>\n

Central Division<\/p>\n

x-Colorado Avalanche (108)<\/p>\n

Pacific Division<\/p>\n

Vegas Golden Knights (84)<\/p>\n

Wild card<\/p>\n

Sitting out of playoff position:\u00a0Nashville Predators (79), Los Angeles Kings (79), St. Louis Blues (76), Winnipeg Jets (76), Seattle Kraken (75), Calgary Flames (70), z-Chicago Blackhawks (68), z-Vancouver Canucks (52)<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket<\/p>\n

Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 3:<\/p>\n

Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh (M2) vs. N.Y. Islanders (M3)<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)<\/p>\n

Buffalo (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)<\/p>\n

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.\u00a0Key: M –\u00a0Metropolitan Division.\u00a0A –\u00a0Atlantic Division.\u00a0WC –\u00a0wild card<\/p>\n

NHL Western Conference playoff bracket<\/p>\n

Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended\u00a0on April 3.<\/p>\n

Colorado (C1) vs. San Jose (WC2)<\/p>\n

Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)<\/p>\n

Edmonton (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)<\/p>\n

Anaheim (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)<\/p>\n

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.\u00a0Key: C –\u00a0Central Division\u00a0P –\u00a0Pacific Division.\u00a0WC –\u00a0wild card<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

More: Vegas Golden Knights fire coach Bruce Cassidy, hire John Tortorella<\/a><\/p>\n

NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?<\/p>\n

If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:<\/p>\n

Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)<\/p>\n

Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.<\/p>\n

When does the NHL regular season end?<\/p>\n

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.<\/p>\n

When do the NHL playoffs start?<\/p>\n

The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket, updated standings, scenarios and tiebreakers<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Buffalo Sabres will try again to clinch a playoff spot and end their 14-season postseason drought. The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":585275,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[3916,1419,90696,64,63,29935,101827,483,28972,6581,11641,7525,3927,3615,5127,3912,3936,6167,12266,3917,7321,14689,2755,3274,60412,481,7526,90689,5387,938,5790,6317,7523,6778,7519,575,13612,14690,63715,6597,90698,3065,5132,4785,113276,53436,16570,12204,7527,5142,3066,85,3935,5881,4788,3920,7528,3926,2875,7529,4791,7100,6000],"class_list":{"0":"post-585274","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-anaheim","9":"tag-anaheim-ducks","10":"tag-atlantic-division","11":"tag-au","12":"tag-australia","13":"tag-avalanche","14":"tag-blackhawks","15":"tag-boston","16":"tag-bruins","17":"tag-buffalo-sabres","18":"tag-calgary","19":"tag-calgary-flames","20":"tag-canucks","21":"tag-carolina-hurricanes","22":"tag-chicago","23":"tag-colorado","24":"tag-columbus-blue-jackets","25":"tag-dallas","26":"tag-detroit","27":"tag-ducks","28":"tag-eastern-conference","29":"tag-edmonton","30":"tag-florida","31":"tag-florida-panthers","32":"tag-islanders","33":"tag-los-angeles","34":"tag-los-angeles-kings","35":"tag-metropolitan-division","36":"tag-minnesota","37":"tag-montreal","38":"tag-montreal-canadiens","39":"tag-nashville","40":"tag-nashville-predators","41":"tag-new-jersey","42":"tag-new-jersey-devils","43":"tag-nhl","44":"tag-nhl-playoffs","45":"tag-oilers","46":"tag-ottawa","47":"tag-ottawa-senators","48":"tag-pacific-division","49":"tag-philadelphia-flyers","50":"tag-pittsburgh","51":"tag-pittsburgh-penguins","52":"tag-playoff-berth","53":"tag-red-wings","54":"tag-regulation","55":"tag-san-jose","56":"tag-san-jose-sharks","57":"tag-seattle","58":"tag-seattle-kraken","59":"tag-sports","60":"tag-st-louis-blues","61":"tag-tampa-bay","62":"tag-tampa-bay-lightning","63":"tag-toronto","64":"tag-utah-mammoth","65":"tag-vancouver","66":"tag-vegas","67":"tag-vegas-golden-knights","68":"tag-washington-capitals","69":"tag-winnipeg","70":"tag-winnipeg-jets"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=585274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/585275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=585274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=585274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=585274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}