{"id":548641,"date":"2026-04-09T10:18:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T10:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/548641\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T10:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T10:18:29","slug":"nhl-playoff-watch-clinching-scenarios-on-14-game-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/548641\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL playoff watch: Clinching scenarios on 14-game Thursday"},"content":{"rendered":"

One week from tonight, the 2025-26 NHL regular season will conclude, with the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning on Saturday, April 18.<\/p>\n

Before the playoffs begin, the entire bracket must be determined — and much remains to be sorted between now and then.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n

2 Related<\/p>\n

Thursday’s slate of 14 games will do a great deal in helping that process along. Here are the teams whose postseason fates can be solidified by the end of the evening:<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the evening in the No. 2 seed in the Metro Division, with a magic number of two. They need a win of any kind over the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>), or a regulation loss by the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>) and a loss of any kind by the New York Islanders against the Toronto Maple Leafs (6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+\/Hulu\/Disney+<\/a>) to clinch a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the Boston Bruins enter the evening with a magic number of two and a chance to clinch their own spot. The B’s don’t play Thursday, but they’ll earn the “X” in the standings if the Blue Jackets lose in regulation and the Isles lose in regulation or overtime\/shootout.<\/p>\n

The Presidents’ Trophy can also be won on Thursday. If the Colorado Avalanche get a win of any variety over the Calgary Flames (9 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>), or the Carolina Hurricanes lose in regulation to the Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>), the No. 1 overall seed will belong to Colorado.<\/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

On the other side of the ledger, the Seattle Kraken are teetering on the edge of mathematical elimination. They need to win against the Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>) and need the Nashville Predators to lose to the Utah Mammoth in regulation (9 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>); if either of those things doesn’t happen, the Kraken are officially out.<\/p>\n

Every team has five 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. 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 Buffalo Sabres<\/a> vs. WC1 Boston Bruins<\/a>
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens<\/a><\/p>\n

M1 Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators<\/a>
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers<\/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 Edmonton Oilers<\/a> vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth<\/a>
P2 Anaheim Ducks<\/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

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> at New York Islanders<\/a>, 6:45 p.m. (ESPN+\/Hulu\/Disney+)
Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> at Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> at Montreal Canadiens<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers<\/a> at Ottawa Senators<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> at Detroit Red Wings<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> at New Jersey Devils<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets<\/a> at St. Louis Blues<\/a>, 8 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> at Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>, 8:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild<\/a> at Dallas Stars<\/a>, 9 p.m. (ESPN+\/Hulu)
Calgary Flames<\/a> at Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, 9 p.m.
Nashville Predators<\/a> at Utah Mammoth<\/a>, 9 p.m.
San Jose Sharks<\/a> at Anaheim Ducks<\/a>, 10 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> at Seattle Kraken<\/a>, 10 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks<\/a> at Los Angeles Kings<\/a>, 10:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Last night’s scoreboard<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres<\/a> 5, New York Rangers<\/a> 3
Washington Capitals<\/a> 4, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> 0
Edmonton Oilers<\/a> 5, San Jose Sharks<\/a> 2<\/p>\n

Expanded standings<\/p>\n

Note: An “x” with a team’s name means the club has clinched a playoff spot; a “y” means that they have clinched the division; a “z” indicates that they have clinched the best record in the conference. 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 DivisionEnhanced standings: Atlantic DivisionTeamGPPTSRWSeedGRNext GameChancesPaceMaxTragic
NumberMagic
Numberx – Sabres<\/a>7910440A13vs. CBJ (Thurs)100.0108110N\/AINx – Lightning<\/a>7810239A24@ MTL (Thurs)100.0107110N\/AINx – Canadiens<\/a>7810232A34vs. TB (Thurs)100.0107110N\/AINBruins<\/a>799631WC13vs. TB (Sat)98.5100102N\/A2Senators<\/a>789235WC24vs. FLA (Thurs)86.797100N\/A6Red Wings<\/a>788929N\/A4vs. PHI (Thurs)6.294975N\/Ae – Panthers<\/a>787829N\/A4@ OTT (Thurs)0.08286OUTN\/Ae – Maple Leafs<\/a>787823N\/A4@ NYI (Thurs)0.08286OUTN\/Aplay<\/p>\n

0:47<\/p>\n

Jason Zucker nets a fancy goal for Sabres<\/p>\n

Jason Zucker tallies goal vs. Rangers<\/p>\n

Metro DivisionEnhanced standings: Metropolitan DivisionTeamGPPTSRWSeedGRNext GameChancesPaceMaxTragic
NumberMagic
Numbery – Hurricanes<\/a>7810636M14@ CHI (Thurs)100.0111114N\/AINPenguins<\/a>789633M24@ NJ (Thurs)99.9101104N\/A2Flyers<\/a>789225M34@ DET (Thurs)55.497100N\/A6Blue Jackets<\/a>789027N\/A4@ BUF (Thurs)29.295986N\/AIslanders<\/a>788928N\/A4vs. TOR (Thurs)19.994975N\/ACapitals<\/a>798934N\/A3@ PIT (Sat)4.092953N\/Ae – Devils<\/a>788328N\/A4vs. PIT (Thurs)0.08791OUTN\/Ae – Rangers<\/a>797524N\/A3@ DAL (Sat)0.07881OUTN\/Aplay<\/p>\n

0:38<\/p>\n

Cole Hutson lights the lamp<\/p>\n

Cole Hutson nets goal for Capitals<\/p>\n

Central DivisionEnhanced standings: Central DivisionTeamGPPTSRWSeedGRNext GameChancesPaceMaxTragic
NumberMagic
Numberz – Avalanche<\/a>7711245C15vs. CGY (Thurs)100.0119122N\/AINx – Stars<\/a>7810435C24vs. MIN (Thurs)100.0109112N\/AINx – Wild<\/a>7810230C34@ DAL (Thurs)100.0107110N\/AINMammoth<\/a>778831WC15vs. NSH (Thurs)99.39498N\/A5Predators<\/a>788427WC24@ UTA (Thurs)11.68892N\/A9Jets<\/a>778027N\/A5@ STL (Thurs)1.385906N\/ABlues<\/a>777829N\/A5vs. WPG (Thurs)2.983884N\/Ae – Blackhawks<\/a>787021N\/A4vs. CAR (Thurs)0.07478OUTN\/APacific DivisionEnhanced standings: Pacific DivisionTeamGPPTSRWSeedGRNext GameChancesPaceMaxTragic
NumberMagic
NumberOilers<\/a>799031P13@ LA (Sat)95.59396N\/A3Golden Knights<\/a>788828P24@ SEA (Thurs)99.59396N\/A5Ducks<\/a>788724P34vs. SJ (Thurs)99.19195N\/A6Kings<\/a>778319N\/A5vs. VAN (Thurs)49.988939N\/ASharks<\/a>778125N\/A5@ ANA (Thurs)41.086917N\/AKraken<\/a>777525N\/A5vs. VGK (Thurs)0.180851N\/Ae – Flames<\/a>777325N\/A5@ COL (Thurs)0.07883OUTN\/Ae – Canucks<\/a>775215N\/A5@ LA (Thurs)0.05562OUTN\/ARace 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

Draft lottery standings<\/p>\n

*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One week from tonight, the 2025-26 NHL regular season will conclude, with the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":548642,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5125],"tags":[198,146,5300,5,4,24],"class_list":{"0":"post-548641","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edmonton-oilers","8":"tag-edmonton","9":"tag-edmonton-oilers","10":"tag-edmontonoilers","11":"tag-hockey","12":"tag-nhl","13":"tag-oilers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116374243081584211","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548641","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=548641"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/548641\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/548642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=548641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=548641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=548641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}