Who's in 2026 NHL playoffs? Latest standings, bracket, tiebreaker scenarios
The 2025-26 NHL regular season ends on April 16, and the first playoff berth can be clinched tonight. Playoff standings, bracket and tiebreakers.
The Colorado Avalanche aren't as dominant as they were at the beginning of the season, but they have a chance on Friday, March 20, to become the first team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs berth. The Avalanche had only two regulation losses on Jan. 1.
That's up to 13 now and the Dallas Stars are just two points back in the race for the Central Division title. But the early goodwill puts Colorado in position to clinch less than four weeks before the end of the regular season. The Columbus Blue Jackets, surging after a coaching change, moved into a playoff position on Thursday night by improving to 17-2-4 under Rick Bowness.
The New York Islanders dropped below the playoff line. Here's what to know about the NHL standings, tiebreaker procedures and playoff field for the 2025-26 season: Who can clinch today? The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
NHL games today (Friday, March 20) All times p. m. ET Carolina at Toronto, 7 New Jersey at Washington, 7 Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 Florida at Calgary, 9 Anaheim at Utah, 10 NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26 Metropolitan Division Carolina Hurricanes (92) Pittsburgh Penguis (84) Columbus Blue Jackets (83) Atlantic Division Buffalo Sabres (92) Tampa Bay Lightning (88) Montreal Canadiens (84) Wild card Boston Bruins (84) Detroit Red Wings (84) Sitting out of playoff position : New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (79), Philadelphia Flyers (78), Washington Capitals (76), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (70), New York Rangers (64) NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26 Central Division Colorado Avalanche (98) Dallas Stars (96) Minnesota Wild (90) Pacific Division Anaheim Ducks (78) Edmonton Oilers (77) Vegas Golden Knights (76) Wild card Utah Mammoth (78) Los Angeles Kings (72) Sitting out of playoff position: Seattle Kraken (71), Nashville Predators (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (67), St.