Within Tuesday’s update on the NHL postseason race, attention was given to the competition for the two Western Conference wild-card berths in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Considering only two contests are scheduled for Wednesday — yet four teams still possess a mathematical opportunity for a wild-card spot — our focus is now directed back to the Eastern Conference.
Following Tuesday’s extensive 13-game program, the two Eastern wild-card positions are currently held by the Detroit Red Wings (with 79 standings points across 65 matches) and the Boston Bruins (with 78 points in 64 games).
The Montreal Canadiens (trailing the Red Wings by a single point) are set to play on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+); the Senators currently possess 73 points after 63 games. Concurrently with that match, the Washington Capitals (71 points from 65 games) and the Philadelphia Flyers (69 points from 63 games) will face each other in Philadelphia (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Positioned between the Senators and the two current wild-card teams are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have accumulated 74 points through 63 contests.
Which clubs appear to have a more favorable schedule for their remaining games after Wednesday?
-
The Red Wings have 17 contests left to play, with eight of these against teams currently occupying a playoff spot
-
The Bruins similarly have 18 matches remaining, including eight versus playoff-contending organizations
-
The Blue Jackets represent another squad with 18 games left, among which 11 are against teams presently in a postseason berth
-
The Senators have 18 matchups beyond Wednesday, with 10 of these scheduled against teams holding a playoff position
-
The Capitals will have a mere 16 games remaining, with eight scheduled against playoff-bound teams
-
The Flyers also have 18 matches left on their calendar, with 10 of those against clubs currently in playoff contention
Based on analysis from Stathletes, the Montreal Canadiens exhibit the highest overall likelihood of reaching the playoffs among this group (84.2%), followed by the Boston Bruins (71.8%), Ottawa Senators (68%), Columbus Blue Jackets (65.9%), Washington Capitals (18%), and Philadelphia Flyers (5.7%). Significantly, these initial four teams demonstrate better projected probabilities than three teams presently occupying playoff positions: the Pittsburgh Penguins (65.7%), New York Islanders (61.3%), and Detroit Red Wings (51.7%). It seems we are poised for a thrilling conclusion to the current season!
Every club has fewer than 20 regular-season games remaining before the campaign concludes on April 16, and we will assist you in monitoring all developments daily right here on the NHL playoff tracker. As we move through this final phase, comprehensive details will be provided on all the playoff races — as well as information on teams vying for advantageous positions in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Remark: Playoff probabilities are provided by Stathletes.
Advance to section:
Current postseason pairings
Wednesday’s game schedule
Tuesday’s final scores
Detailed league standings
Competition for the top draft selection
Current Postseason Pairings
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Boston Bruins
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York Islanders
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Wednesday’s Scheduled Matches
Notice: All times are Eastern Time. Any games not airing on TNT or NHL Network are accessible for streaming via ESPN+ (subject to regional blackout restrictions).
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Tuesday’s Match Results
Boston Bruins 2, Los Angeles Kings 1 (OT)
Buffalo Sabres 6, San Jose Sharks 3
Montreal Canadiens 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Florida Panthers 4, Detroit Red Wings 3
New York Rangers 4, Calgary Flames 0
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (SO)
New York Islanders 4, St. Louis Blues 3 (OT)
Dallas Stars 2, Vegas Golden Knights 1
Minnesota Wild 5, Utah Mammoth 0
Anaheim Ducks 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Colorado Avalanche 3
Nashville Predators 4, Seattle Kraken 2
Comprehensive Standings
Atlantic Division
Total Points: 86
Victories in Regulation: 34
Current Playoff Seeding: A1
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 108.5
Upcoming Matchup: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.5%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 82
Victories in Regulation: 30
Current Playoff Seeding: A2
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 106.7
Upcoming Matchup: vs. DET (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 80
Victories in Regulation: 24
Current Playoff Seeding: A3
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 104.1
Upcoming Matchup: @ OTT (Wednesday)
Probability of Playoffs: 84.2%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 79
Victories in Regulation: 25
Current Playoff Seeding: WC1
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 99.7
Upcoming Matchup: @ TB (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 51.7%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 78
Victories in Regulation: 27
Current Playoff Seeding: WC2
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 99.9
Upcoming Matchup: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 71.8%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 73
Victories in Regulation: 26
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 95.0
Upcoming Matchup: vs. MTL (Wednesday)
Probability of Playoffs: 68%
Elimination Number: 33
Total Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 26
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 85.8
Upcoming Matchup: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 4.1%
Elimination Number: 25
Total Points: 65
Victories in Regulation: 19
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 82
Upcoming Matchup: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 0.1%
Elimination Number: 21
Metro Division
Total Points: 88
Victories in Regulation: 30
Current Playoff Seeding: M1
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 112.8
Upcoming Matchup: vs. STL (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 79
Victories in Regulation: 27
Current Playoff Seeding: M2
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 101.2
Upcoming Matchup: @ VGK (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 65.7%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 79
Victories in Regulation: 23
Current Playoff Seeding: M3
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 99.7
Upcoming Matchup: vs. LA (Friday)
Probability of Playoffs: 61.3%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 76
Victories in Regulation: 23
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 97.4
Upcoming Matchup: @ FLA (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 65.9%
Elimination Number: 34
Total Points: 71
Victories in Regulation: 27
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 89.6
Upcoming Matchup: @ PHI (Wednesday)
Probability of Playoffs: 18%
Elimination Number: 27
Total Points: 69
Victories in Regulation: 19
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 89.8
Upcoming Matchup: vs. WSH (Wednesday)
Probability of Playoffs: 5.7%
Elimination Number: 29
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 21
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 84.6
Upcoming Matchup: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 4.2%
Elimination Number: 24
Total Points: 60
Victories in Regulation: 17
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 76.9
Upcoming Matchup: @ WPG (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: ~0%
Elimination Number: 18
Central Division
Total Points: 95
Victories in Regulation: 38
Current Playoff Seeding: C1
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 123.7
Upcoming Matchup: @ SEA (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 90
Victories in Regulation: 32
Current Playoff Seeding: C2
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 115.3
Upcoming Matchup: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 87
Victories in Regulation: 25
Current Playoff Seeding: C3
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 109.8
Upcoming Matchup: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 73
Victories in Regulation: 26
Current Playoff Seeding: WC1
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 92.1
Upcoming Matchup: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 98%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 22
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 84.6
Upcoming Matchup: @ VAN (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 6.8%
Elimination Number: 35
Total Points: 62
Victories in Regulation: 21
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 80.7
Upcoming Matchup: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 10.4%
Elimination Number: 33
Total Points: 60
Victories in Regulation: 23
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 76.9
Upcoming Matchup: @ CAR (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 1.4%
Elimination Number: 29
Total Points: 59
Victories in Regulation: 18
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 75.6
Upcoming Matchup: @ UTA (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 0.1%
Elimination Number: 28
Pacific Division
Total Points: 75
Victories in Regulation: 21
Current Playoff Seeding: P1
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 96.1
Upcoming Matchup: @ TOR (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 96.5%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 72
Victories in Regulation: 24
Current Playoff Seeding: P2
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 90.8
Upcoming Matchup: @ DAL (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 84.3%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 72
Victories in Regulation: 21
Current Playoff Seeding: P3
Remaining Games: 17
Projected Point Pace: 90.8
Upcoming Matchup: vs. PIT (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 96.1%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 23
Current Playoff Seeding: WC2
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Point Pace: 87.2
Upcoming Matchup: vs. COL (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 22.4%
Elimination Number: N/A
Total Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 16
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 85.8
Upcoming Matchup: @ NYI (Friday)
Probability of Playoffs: 12.9%
Elimination Number: 36
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 18
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 20
Projected Point Pace: 87.3
Upcoming Matchup: @ BOS (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 71.2%
Elimination Number: 39
Total Points: 57
Victories in Regulation: 21
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 73.0
Upcoming Matchup: @ NJ (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: 0.1%
Elimination Number: 26
Total Points: 46
Victories in Regulation: 13
Current Playoff Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 18
Projected Point Pace: 58.9
Upcoming Matchup: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Probability of Playoffs: ~0%
Elimination Number: 15
Contention for the Premier Draft Selection
The National Hockey League employs a draft lottery mechanism to determine the sequence of selections in the initial round, thus the franchise concluding the season in last place is not assured the first overall pick. Commencing in 2021, a team has the potential to advance by a maximum of 10 positions should it secure a lottery victory, meaning only 11 teams are eligible for the drawing for the top pick. Comprehensive information regarding this procedure is available here. Leading the prospects ranked for this upcoming summer’s draft is Gavin McKenna, a forward from Penn State.
Total Points: 46
Victories in Regulation: 13
Total Points: 57
Victories in Regulation: 21
Total Points: 59
Victories in Regulation: 18
Total Points: 60
Victories in Regulation: 17
Total Points: 60
Victories in Regulation: 23
Total Points: 62
Victories in Regulation: 21
Total Points: 65
Victories in Regulation: 19
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 22
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 21
Total Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 18
Total Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 26
Total Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 16
Total Points: 69
Victories in Regulation: 19
Total Points: 71
Victories in Regulation: 27
Total Points: 73
Victories in Regulation: 26
Total Points: 76
Victories in Regulation: 23
*Notice: The Maple Leafs’ draft selection is conveyed to the Bruins, unless it falls within the top five picks.
