The Bruins missed the NHL Playoffs for the first time since the 2015–16 season when they failed to clinch a postseason berth last year. That disappointing ending snapped an eight-season streak of playoff appearances.
Boston is now on the verge of returning to the postseason in 2026, though. The Bruins are enjoying an extended break after falling to the Hurricanes on Tuesday, but they can officially punch their ticket to the playoffs based on other results around the league.
Here’s a complete breakdown on how the Bruins can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday night.
Bruins NHL Playoff clinching scenarios
Boston does not take the ice until Saturday afternoon when it faces Tampa Bay. However, if the Bruins get a perfect set of results on Thursday night, they will be heading to the NHL Playoffs.
Maple Leafs regulation win + Flyers regulation win + Sabres regulation winMaple Leafs defeat Islanders in regulationFlyers defeat Red Wings in regulationSabres defeat Blue Jackets in regulation
Bruins fans should be cheering for a scenario in which the Islanders, Red Wings and Blue Jackets all fail to secure a single point. Boston is sitting in the top wild-card spot with 96 points, so regulation losses from all three teams would send the Bruins to the playoffs.
Full NHL schedule for Thursday, April 9
Here is the full slate of games for Thursday, April 9:
GameTime (ET)Maple Leafs vs. Islanders6:45 p.m.Blue Jackets vs. Sabres7 p.m.Lightning vs. Canadiens7 p.m.Panthers vs. Senators7 p.m.Flyers vs. Red Wings7 p.m.Penguins vs. Devils7 p.m.Jets vs. Blues8 p.m.Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks8:30 p.m.Wild vs. Stars9 p.m.Flames vs. Avalanche9 p.m.Predators vs. Mammoth9 p.m.Sharks vs. Ducks10 p.m.Golden Knights vs. Kraken10 p.m.Canucks vs. Kings10:30 p.m.Bruins remaining schedule 2026
Boston has three games left in the regular season, starting with Saturday’s contest against Tampa Bay.
DateOpponentTime (ET)April 11vs. Lightning12:30 p.m.April 12at Blue Jackets6 p.m.April 14vs. Devils7 p.m.NHL standings 2026 Atlantic DivisionTeamGPWLOTLPtsBuffalo Sabres*7948238104Tampa Bay Lightning*7848246102Montreal Canadiens*78462210102Boston Bruins7943261096Ottawa Senators7841271092Detroit Red Wings784029989Florida Panthers***783737478Toronto Maple Leafs***7832321478Metropolitan Division TeamGPWLOTLPtsCarolina Hurricanes**7850226106Pittsburgh Penguins7840221696Philadelphia Flyers7840261292Columbus Blue Jackets7839271290New York Islanders784231589Washington Capitals794030989New Jersey Devils***784035383New York Rangers***793337975
*clinched playoff berth
**clinched division
***eliminated
Eastern Conference wild cardRankTeamGPWLOTLPtsWC1Boston Bruins7943261096WC2Ottawa Senators78412710923Columbus Blue Jackets78392712904Detroit Red Wings7840299895New York Islanders7842315896Washington Capitals794030989More Bruins