NHL Playoff Hockey Eliminator Weekend

Yes, the NHL regular season is almost over. There is a mere week left. By the way, the NHL Playoffs start next Saturday. What does that mean? Quite a few teams clinched which means the dreaded M word is here too. Maintenance will drive people mad. So many players will be rested and it may be a challenge of finding out who is or is not injured.

The most important thing for some teams is bluntly, get in anyway you can! First, we are going to list the teams who have clinched a spot in the 2025-2026 NHL Playoffs.

From the Eastern Conference:

Carolina Hurricanes
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens

From the Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Utah Mammoth

With a total of nine teams clinched, that creates an interesting dilemma. Most teams still have three games left and a few have four. Only one has two and that is the Buffalo Sabres. Also, the top three teams in the Atlantic and Central divisions have sealed their spots. The only pathway for other teams still in the hunt is a wildcard spot.

One of the bigger surprises is the Western Conference. The point totals are coming up. It appears it will take 90 points to get into the playoffs from the West. Los Angeles has 85 points with four games left. Expecting the Kings to go at least 2-1-1 is not unreasonable. Nashville losing on Thursday was a potential fatal blow. The Predators do play their final three games at home.

Okay, okay, let us start with the Western Conference and the wrinkles too.

Western Conference Eliminator

Currently, the Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of clinching. Utah just happened to have a tiebreaker when it comes to a wildcard spot. The maximum for any non-playoff team from the West is now 90 points. Here are the projected records needed for teams to get to 90 points.

Edmonton Oilers: Just a matter of time
Vegas Golden Knights: 0-2-1
Anaheim Ducks: 0-2-1
Los Angeles Kings: 2-1-1
Nashville Predators: 3-0
Winnipeg Jets: 4-0

Right now, San Jose’s maximum is 89 points. Asking a Sharks team to win four straight games feels like a tall order now. San Jose plays one more home game then closes out the season with three on the road against Nashville, Chicago, and Winnipeg. Talk about zero margin for error! After that, the reality is Seattle and St. Louis are only mathematically alive. From a reality standpoint, they are eliminated!

Los Angeles is still alive to win the Pacific Division. According to Moneypuck, that rolls in at a meager 0.7%. They also list point pace at 89.7 so basically, 90. As we mentioned above, seeding is different being in or out of the playoffs. For the sake of playoff hockey sanity, let us slide over to the East.

Eastern Conference Eliminator

We hope you stocked up on the Pepto Bismol! Only three spots are up for grabs but more teams are entrenched into the mix. Thankfully, every team in question has three games remaining. Boston is the one team on the verge of securing a spot in the second season. However, the Bruins have lost four straight games.

The cold streaks from Detroit, Columbus, and the New York Islanders allowed Philadelphia to sneak into a spot currently. Ottawa looked like they were going to fall apart and now are only two points behind Boston. Trying to make heads or tails of this final week will be something.

Boston has two more chances to secure a playoff spot over the weekend. The Bruins will play three games during a four day stretch. One contest is against another team battling for their playoff lives (Columbus). Columbus has hit a wall after a coach bump/surge (2-7-1 in their last 10). Boston and Ottawa have two ways to get into the playoffs — the WC 1 and WC2 spots. That is Detroit’s way in though pace suggests WC2 is their only path.

The New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Columbus, and the Philadelphia Flyers could slip into that WC2 spot OR simply finish third in the Metropolitan Division. Right now, Philadelphia leads the chase for that M3 slot with 92 points. New York and Columbus have been a bigger help. The Flyers’ schedule is odd only that they play Winnipeg (who is still in the West chase) then Tampa Bay and Montreal who may be resting players. Philadelphia is another team that plays three times in four days to end the regular season.

The Islanders fired their coach, Washington traded their best defenseman to Anaheim, and Detroit literally cannot stay healthy. Yes, the Senators have their own drama. With that, there are enough playoff hockey subplots to make most Mexican novellas blush. Some argue Columbus has the toughest road with games against Montreal, Boston, and Washington. All three teams have something to play for. After Boston and Ottawa, Philadelphia has the best chance of making the playoffs at only 44.5%.

Eastern Conference Math Time

With the number at 96 points to get in, here is what we have.

Boston: Just a matter of time
Ottawa: 1-2
Detroit: 2-0-1

For the Metro…

Philadelphia: 2-1
NY Islanders: 2-0-1
Columbus: 3-0

Anything can happen in the quest for playoff hockey. We highlighted the Metro teams because they are the toughest to figure out. Washington has to likely win out to sneak into the postseason. The M3 feels like their way in. The Capitals do play a home-and-home against the Pittsburgh Penguins (who may rest players) then Columbus on the 14th. Washington has around a 5-7% chance of getting in depending on who you ask.

Meanwhile, the Islanders are at home for the final three games. Carolina will be resting players as they already are. Ottawa wants to secure a spot making Saturday’s game essential. New York felt like a lock to make the playoffs after the Olympic Break and yet here we are. Win Saturday and the doors open but lose and the door almost shuts.

Philadelphia has been one of the better teams since the Olympic Break but that loss to Detroit was a red flag. Can the Vladar/Ersson combo get the job done? They have the inside track for now. Philadelphia has the best opportunity to nab that M3 slot.

Simply, playoff hockey is the greatest rush as the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the best postseason of the four major sports. However, getting there carries as much intrigue this year especially. Enjoy the final week!