{"id":551173,"date":"2026-04-12T14:30:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551173\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:30:31","slug":"will-ducks-fly-into-first-playoff-berth-since-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551173\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Ducks fly into first playoff berth since 2018?"},"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 crucial six-game slate for Sunday, April 12?<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Washington Capitals<\/a> (41-30-9) will be eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoff race if they lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in regulation Sunday. The only spot the Caps are mathematically eligible to win is the No. 3 Metropolitan Division seed, currently held by the Philadelphia Flyers. <\/p>\n

\u2013 The New York Islanders<\/a> (43-32-5) are on the brink today. They will miss out on that hotly contested No. 3 playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division if they lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation or the Capitals beat the Penguins AND the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Boston Bruins in regulation. There are several other scenarios that can eliminate the Isles Sunday, all of which depend on the results of the Capitals\u2019 and Blue Jackets\u2019 games. You can find them all here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Anaheim Ducks<\/a> (42-32-5) will clinch a playoff berth, their first since 2017-18, if they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion Sunday night.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Islanders<\/a>\u00a0defenseman Matthew Schaefer tied Brian Leetch for the most goals by a rookie defensemen in NHL history three days ago. Schaefer\u2019s next goal this season will be his 24th\u00a0and give him the standalone record.<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0Montreal Canadiens<\/a>\u00a0center Nick Suzuki needs one point to become the franchise\u2019s first 100-point scorer since Mats Naslund in 1985-86, 40 years ago.<\/p>\n

\u2013 With an assist Sunday, Blue Jackets <\/a>blueliner Zach Werenski will set a franchise single-season record for assists in a season with 60.<\/p>\n

_____<\/p>\n

PRESENTED BY STAKE<\/p>\n

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