{"id":545552,"date":"2026-04-07T13:31:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/545552\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T13:31:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:31:15","slug":"will-flames-playoff-hopes-be-smothered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/545552\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Flames\u2019 playoff hopes be smothered?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the home stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season. This deep into the schedule, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it\u2019s a playoff spot, division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we\u2019re breaking down what you need to know every day between now and the end of the season April 16.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s at stake across the 11-game slate for Tuesday, April 7?<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Carolina Hurricanes <\/a>(49-22-6)\u2019 magic number to clinch the Metropolitan Division title is one. All they need is a single point Tuesday night in their home tilt vs. the Boston Bruins.<\/p>\n

\u2013 If the Bruins<\/a> lose in regulation AND the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> beat the Florida Panthers in any fashion, the Habs lock in one of the top three spots in the Atlantic Division, setting up a first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning or Buffalo Sabres. The Lightning<\/a> (48-23-6) will clinch a top-three spot with a single point against the Ottawa Senators, while the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> (47-23-8) do so if the Bruins lose in any fashion.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Is the New Jersey Devils\u2018<\/a> (40-34-3) number up? The officially miss the playoffs if they lose to the Philadelphia Flyers in regulation AND the Senators get a single point against the Lightning.<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Colorado Avalanche<\/a> (50-16-10) clinch the Central Division crown and the top overall seed in the Western Conference if (a) they beat the St. Louis Blues in any fashion, (c) the Dallas Stars lose to the Calgary Flames in regulation or (c) if they get a point or more and the Stars get a point or fewer.<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Calgary Flames<\/a> (32-36-8) will be officially eliminated from playoff contention if (a) they lose to Dallas in regulation or (b) if they get one point or fewer and the Nashville Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Milestone reminders: Cole Caufield\u2019s next goal makes him the Habs\u2019 first 50-goal scorer since 1989-90. Also, Evan Bouchard needs just two points to become the second Edmonton Oilers<\/a> defenseman with 90 in a season, joining Paul Coffey.<\/p>\n

_____<\/p>\n

PRESENTED BY STAKE<\/p>\n

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