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The NHL playoff picture comes into focus as teams vie for division titles and postseason positioning.Chicago Today
With four days left in the regular season, the NHL playoff picture is heating up. The Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Eastern Conference title, the Buffalo Sabres can clinch the Atlantic Division, and the Philadelphia Flyers can clinch a playoff berth and lock in a first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the Western Conference, the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are close to securing playoff spots.
Why it matters
As the regular season winds down, these clinching scenarios will determine the final playoff matchups and seeding in both conferences. The Flyers-Penguins rivalry is one of the NHL’s most intense, so locking in that first-round series is significant. The Sabres’ potential division title would be a major accomplishment for the franchise, while the Ducks and Kings are looking to return to the playoffs after recent absences.
The details
The Hurricanes can clinch the Eastern Conference title with a point against the Flyers or a Blackhawks win over the Sabres. The Sabres can clinch the Atlantic Division by defeating the Blackhawks in regulation, or in overtime/shootout if the Red Wings beat the Lightning. The Flyers can clinch a playoff berth and lock in their first-round series against the Penguins by defeating the Hurricanes. In the West, the Ducks can clinch a playoff spot if the Sharks beat the Predators, while the Kings can clinch by defeating the Kraken and the Sharks beating the Predators in regulation.
The Hurricanes play the Flyers at 7 p.m. ET on April 13.The Blackhawks play the Sabres at 8:30 p.m. ET on April 13.The Lightning play the Red Wings at 7 p.m. ET on April 13.The Sharks play the Predators at 8 p.m. ET on April 13.The Kings play the Kraken at 9:30 p.m. ET on April 13.
The players
Carolina Hurricanes
A professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina and a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Philadelphia Flyers
A professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres
A professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York and a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
Chicago Blackhawks
A professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
Tampa Bay Lightning
A professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida and a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
Detroit Red Wings
A professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan and a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins
A professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks
A professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California and a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
Los Angeles Kings
A professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California and a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
San Jose Sharks
A professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California and a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
Nashville Predators
A professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
Seattle Kraken
A professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington and a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL.
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What they’re saying
“The playoff races are really heating up with just a few days left in the regular season. These clinching scenarios will have a big impact on the first-round matchups.”
— Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
What’s next
The NHL regular season concludes on April 16, 2026, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin shortly after.
The takeaway
As the NHL regular season winds down, several teams are on the verge of clinching playoff berths and locking in their first-round matchups. The Sabres’ potential division title, the Flyers-Penguins rivalry, and the Ducks’ and Kings’ returns to the playoffs are all significant storylines heading into the postseason.