{"id":530851,"date":"2026-03-30T10:48:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/530851\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T10:48:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:48:49","slug":"nhl-playoff-watch-penguins-isles-destined-for-first-round-matchup-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/530851\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL playoff watch: Penguins, Isles destined for first-round matchup?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There have been a number of permutations of Eastern Conference playoff teams in the past few weeks beyond the Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>, who appear pretty stable in their positions atop the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions, respectively.<\/p>\n

Two of the teams that have been riding the teacups are the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> and New York Islanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n

2 Related<\/p>\n

The ship probably has sailed on either club catching the Canes for the No. 1 seed in the division, but both are squarely in the mix for the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds; and if the pair do wind up in those slots, they’d square off in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.<\/p>\n

Monday is the final regular-season matchup between the clubs (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network<\/a>), and they’ve split the season series to this point. So this final game will have a major impact on the standings.<\/p>\n

Heading into Monday’s game, the Isles will be in the No. 2 position, with 89 points and 28 regulation wins through 74 games; the Penguins are No. 3, with 88 points and 29 regulation wins through 73 games. What are the chances they wind up matched up in Round 1?<\/p>\n

According to Stathletes projections, there is a 27.03% chance of Penguins-Islanders being one of the first matchups in the 2026 bracket. But there’s a greater chance that the third Metro team in the mix — the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> — takes the Isles’ place; Stathletes projects a Penguins-Blue Jackets first-round series occurring in 33.34% of simulations.<\/p>\n

Given the small margins, expect this race to come right down to the final days of the regular season.<\/p>\n

Every team has no more than 11 games remaining before the regular season concludes April 16, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.<\/p>\n

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.<\/p>\n

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups<\/a>
Today’s schedule<\/a>
Last night’s scores<\/a>
Expanded standings<\/a>
Race for No. 1 pick<\/a><\/p>\n

Current playoff matchups<\/p>\n

Eastern Conference<\/p>\n

A1 Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>
A2 Buffalo Sabres<\/a> vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens<\/a><\/p>\n

M1 Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> vs. WC1 Boston Bruins<\/a>
M2 New York Islanders<\/a> vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a><\/p>\n

Western Conference<\/p>\n

C1 Colorado Avalanche<\/a> vs. WC2 Nashville Predators<\/a>
C2 Dallas Stars<\/a> vs. C3 Minnesota Wild<\/a><\/p>\n

P1 Anaheim Ducks<\/a> vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth<\/a>
P2 Edmonton Oilers<\/a> vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights<\/a><\/p>\n

Today’s games<\/p>\n

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+<\/a> (local blackout restrictions apply).<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> at New York Islanders<\/a>, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Calgary Flames<\/a> at Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks<\/a> at Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>, 10 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> at Anaheim Ducks<\/a>, 10 p.m.
St. Louis Blues<\/a> at San Jose Sharks<\/a>, 10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Last night’s scoreboard<\/p>\n

New York Rangers<\/a> 3, Florida Panthers<\/a> 1
Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> 3, Nashville Predators<\/a> 2
Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 3, Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> 1
Boston Bruins<\/a> 4, Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> 3 (SO)
New Jersey Devils<\/a> 5, Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 3
Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> 2, Dallas Stars<\/a> 1 (OT)<\/p>\n

Expanded standingsAtlantic Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 6
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 108.6
Next game: vs. NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 6
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 105.6
Next game: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Magic number: 10
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 102.0
Next game: vs. DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 81.2%
Magic number: 12
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 96.6
Next game: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 69.3%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 17<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 96.6
Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 24.9%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 17<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ ANA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 4<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 4<\/p>\n

Metro Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: @ CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 6
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 98.6
Next game: vs. PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 62.4%
Magic number: 15
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

Playoff Hockey Challenge<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Who will lift the Stanley Cup? Create up to two brackets today. Create A Bracket<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 98.9
Next game: @ NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 73.1%
Magic number: 16
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 97.5
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 68.3%
Magic number: 16
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 96.6
Next game: @ WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 16.4%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 16<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 92.0
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 6.3%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 11<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 87.6
Next game: @ NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 8<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 76.5
Next game: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: OUT<\/p>\n

Central Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 120.7
Next game: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Magic number: IN
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 110.8
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Magic number: IN
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 104.2
Next game: vs. VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 1
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

Breaking News from Emily Kaplan<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Download the ESPN app and enable Emily Kaplan’s news alerts<\/a> to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 90.9
Next game: vs. SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 98.5%
Magic number: 13
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 85.3
Next game: @ LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 17.3%
Magic number: 18
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.4%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 15<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 14%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 16<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74.2
Next game: vs. WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 6<\/p>\n

Pacific Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 96.6
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Magic number: 9
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 92.0
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96.8%
Magic number: 12
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 88.7
Next game: vs. VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 96.7%
Magic number: 15
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: vs. STL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 24.7%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 17<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: @ EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 9.3%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 18<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: vs. STL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 40.4%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 18<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: 11<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 56.9
Next game: @ VGK (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Magic number: N\/A
Tragic number: OUT<\/p>\n

Note: An “x” with a team’s name means the club has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” means that the club has been mathematically eliminated.<\/p>\n

Race for the No. 1 pick<\/p>\n

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here<\/a>. Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 19<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 26<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 23<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32<\/p>\n

*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There have been a number of permutations of Eastern Conference playoff teams in the past few weeks beyond…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":530852,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5112],"tags":[1468,5,4,1467,56,5205],"class_list":{"0":"post-530851","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia-flyers","8":"tag-flyers","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-nhl","11":"tag-philadelphia","12":"tag-philadelphia-flyers","13":"tag-philadelphiaflyers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116317743599836365","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530851"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530851\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/530852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=530851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=530851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}