When do NHL playoffs start? 2026 bracket, standings, clinching scenarios

The Buffalo Sabres have ended their 14-season playoff drought and the Tampa Bay Lightning clinched a postseason berth for the ninth consecutive season. The Montreal Canadiens can join those teams in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket on Sunday, April 5. Also Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division title, and the Colorado Avalanche can clinch the Central Division and Western Conference titles.

The Eastern Conference bracket could also see some big changes. The Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers (88 points each) and the Washington Capitals (87) are in action. The Senators currently hold the second wild-card spot in the East on a tiebreaker and could be passed by the other three teams.

The Flyers could move past the idle New York Islanders (89) into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders would drop out of a playoff spot if both the Flyers and Capitals win. Here's what to know about the NHL standings , including the latest playoff bracket, who can clinch today and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season: Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Buffalo Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth today? The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point vs. the Devils or if the Red Wings or Senators lose.