Over in the Metro Division, the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> also have a magic number of two, and are thus in a similar scenario as Buffalo: Win and you’re in! Given that one of the Flyers or Red Wings will win that game, there’s no scenario in which a loss (either in regulation, overtime or shootout) gets it done for the Sabres and Canes.<\/p>\n In the West, the Minnesota Wild<\/a>‘s magic number is one, so they have more options to punch their ticket to the dance. The Wild host the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>), needing a win of any kind or a loss in overtime\/shootout to secure their spot.<\/p>\n Will there be three more teams with an X next to their name in the standings Thursday night? It’s going to be an exciting upcoming stretch for hockey fans.<\/p>\n Every team has nine or fewer 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:<\/p>\n Current playoff matchups<\/a><\/p>\n Today’s schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Last night’s scores<\/a><\/p>\n Expanded standings<\/a><\/p>\n Race for No. 1 pick<\/a><\/p>\n Eastern Conference<\/p>\n A1 Buffalo Sabres<\/a>vs. WC1 Boston Bruins<\/a><\/p>\n A2 Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>vs. A3Montreal Canadiens<\/a><\/p>\n M1 Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a><\/p>\n M2Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>vs. M3New York Islanders<\/a><\/p>\n Western Conference<\/p>\n C1 Colorado Avalanche<\/a> vs. WC2Los Angeles Kings<\/a><\/p>\n C2 Dallas Stars<\/a> vs. C3 Minnesota Wild<\/a><\/p>\n P1 Anaheim Ducks<\/a>vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth<\/a><\/p>\n P2 Edmonton Oilers<\/a> vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights<\/a><\/p>\n Thursday’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 Buffalo Sabres<\/a> at Ottawa Senators<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> at Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Boston Bruins<\/a> at Florida Panthers<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Montreal Canadiens<\/a> at New York Rangers<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Detroit Red Wings<\/a> at Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> at Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Washington Capitals<\/a> at New Jersey Devils<\/a>, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+\/Hulu)<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets<\/a> at Dallas Stars<\/a>, 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks<\/a> at Minnesota Wild<\/a>, 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> at Edmonton Oilers<\/a>, 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Calgary Flames<\/a> at Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>, 10 p.m.<\/p>\n Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> at San Jose Sharks<\/a>, 10 p.m.<\/p>\n Utah Mammoth<\/a> at Seattle Kraken<\/a>, 10 p.m. (ESPN+\/Hulu)<\/p>\n Nashville Predators<\/a> at Los Angeles Kings<\/a>, 10:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Wednesday night’s scoreboard<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks<\/a> 8, Colorado Avalanche<\/a> 6<\/p>\n Los Angeles Kings<\/a> 2, St. Louis Blues<\/a> 1 (OT)<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks<\/a> 4, Anaheim Ducks<\/a> 3<\/p>\n Expanded standings<\/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. Teams clinch a playoff spot when their magic number reaches zero, and are mathematically eliminated when their tragic number reaches zero.<\/p>\n Atlantic DivisionMetro DivisionCentral DivisionPacific DivisionRace for the No. 1 pick<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/greyline.png\"\/)
Current playoff matchups<\/p>\n