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

All four first round series in the NHL 's Eastern Conference playoff bracket were settled on Tuesday, April 14 . One more Western Conference series can be set on Wednesday, April 15, with the Vegas Golden Knights having a chance to wrap up the Pacific Division title during their season finale. If they do, they will face the Utah Mammoth in the first round.

That would leave the second and third Pacific Division seeds, plus the second wild card in the West, up for grabs on the final night when the Edmonton Oilers , Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings play. If Vegas doesn't clinch on Wednesday, all four playoff seeds will be in play on Thursday. Here's what to know about the NHL standings , including the latest playoff bracket, Wednesday's clinching scenario and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season before the postseason begins on April 18: Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, Edmonton, Anaheim, Utah, Los Angeles Who can clinch an NHL playoff seed today? The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if they get at least one point against the Seattle Kraken. NHL games today (Wednesday, April 15) Dallas at Buffalo, 7, TNT, tru N.

Y. Rangers at Tampa Bay, 7 Detroit at Florida, 7 Toronto at Ottawa, 7:30 San Jose at Chicago, 8:30 Seattle at Vegas, 10 NHL playoff standings NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26 After April 14 games . x-clinched playoff spot.