The NHL playoffs are upon us, and with the regular season drawing to a close, the excitement is palpable. As of April 13, 2026, the playoff picture is starting to take shape, with teams jostling for position and the remaining spots up for grabs. But who's in, who's out, and what does it all mean for the upcoming postseason? Let's dive in and explore the current state of the league, the clinching scenarios, and the potential matchups that could shape the NHL's future.
The Race to the Playoffs
The NHL playoffs are a thrilling spectacle, and the race to secure a spot is always intense. As of this writing, 13 of the 16 playoff spots have already been filled, with the remaining three up for grabs. The Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings are all within striking distance of clinching the final spots, but it won't be easy.
The Flyers, led by their star players, are in a strong position to secure the last spot in the Eastern Conference. A win against the Carolina Hurricanes would clinch their spot and set up a first-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Ducks and Kings will need some help to secure their spots. The Ducks, who have been out of the playoffs for 12 seasons, will need the Nashville Predators to lose to the San Jose Sharks, while the Kings will need to beat the Seattle Kraken and the Predators to lose.
The Eastern Conference: A Battle of the North
The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be a battle of the north, with the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins all vying for playoff spots. The Hurricanes, in particular, are on the cusp of clinching the Eastern Conference title, and the Sabres are set to claim the Atlantic Division title.
The Hurricanes, led by their dynamic offense, will need just one point against the Flyers to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres, meanwhile, will need to beat the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation and hope the Tampa Bay Lightning don't beat the Detroit Red Wings in regulation to clinch the Atlantic Division title. The Penguins and Bruins are also in the mix, with the Bruins needing just one point to secure the second wild card spot.
The Western Conference: A Battle of the West
The Western Conference is a different story, with the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Anaheim Ducks all vying for playoff spots. The Avalanche, led by their star-studded lineup, are the clear favorites to win the Presidents' Trophy, but the Stars and Wild are also in the mix.
The Golden Knights, Oilers, and Ducks are all within striking distance of the final playoff spots, with the Utah Mammoth and Los Angeles Kings also in the running. The Stars and Wild, meanwhile, are set to face off in the Central Division, with the winner advancing to the second round. The Oilers and Ducks will need to beat their respective opponents and hope for help from other teams to secure their spots.
Tiebreakers and Seeding
As the regular season winds down, the NHL's tiebreaker procedures will come into play to determine the final seeding. If two teams are tied in points, the first tiebreaker is regulation wins, followed by regulation and overtime wins (ROW), total wins, and goal differential. If all else fails, the teams will be ranked based on their head-to-head competition, with the first game played in the city that has the extra game excluded.
The Road to the Stanley Cup
The NHL playoffs are a thrilling spectacle, and the road to the Stanley Cup is always filled with surprises and upsets. As the playoff picture starts to take shape, the excitement is palpable, and the anticipation is building. Who will emerge as the champions? Who will make the unexpected run? Only time will tell.
In my opinion, the NHL playoffs are a testament to the league's competitiveness and the passion of its fans. As an analyst, I find the clinching scenarios and tiebreaker procedures fascinating, and the potential matchups are always intriguing. The Flyers, Ducks, and Kings are all within striking distance of the final spots, and the Eastern and Western Conferences are shaping up to be exciting battles. The road to the Stanley Cup is never easy, and the playoffs are always a thrilling spectacle. So, let the games begin, and may the best team win!
