As the regular season winds down, the NHL playoff picture is heating up. With just days left in the 2026 regular season, several division titles and wild card spots remain undecided, setting up a chaotic finish that could reshape the Stanley Cup playoff bracket.
Here are eight predictions for how the final stretch of the NHL regular season will unfold.
Edmonton Oilers win Pacific Division in a tight race
The Edmonton Oilers will win the Pacific Division to conclude the 2025–26 NHL regular season. The Oilers are in a tight race with the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks, but their schedule over the next three games isn't terrible. Edmonton already has a one-point advantage and will play the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks. It'll be a tough task, but Connor McDavid and company will get the job done.
New York Islanders miss playoffs due to tough schedule
The New York Islanders have impressed with budding sensation Matthew Schaefer, but it won't be enough to clinch a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. New York faces the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, April 11, three points out of the final wild card spot. The Islanders also have the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes to close out the season. It's been a great campaign, but New York will miss the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings miss playoffs despite most points since 2015
The Detroit Red Wings will finish the 2025-26 NHL regular season with 95 points, but that will not be enough to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Red Wings have lost a lot of points in the past few weeks, putting the team in a difficult situation. This would be the most points scored by Detroit since the 2014–15 NHL season, marking a vast improvement. However, the Red Wings are technically four points behind and will be very difficult to overcome.
Ottawa Senators reach 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs
The Senators are on fire and it will take them to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ottawa currently holds the final wild card spot with 94 points, and will look to win against New York, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils. Brady Tkachuk and the Senators would reach 100 points and clinch a playoff berth before the conclusion of the regular season. Watch out for Ottawa in the first round as the team is on serious momentum.
Boston Bruins avoid complete collapse in final NHL regular season game
The Boston Bruins are five points good in the wild card standings, but they will avoid a major collapse. Boston would eventually go on a six-game losing streak before reaching the NHL regular season final against New Jersey. The Bruins would barely make the playoffs by holding off the hard-charging Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston hasn't made the playoffs yet, but a win in New Jersey would seal the deal.
San Jose Sharks perform strongly, but fall short of playoffs
The San Jose Sharks would make a strong showing but fall short of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Sharks would run up the table and finish on 89 points, but the Los Angeles Kings would win three of their last four, taking them to 91 points. San Jose will make every effort to make the playoffs in the next four games, but Los Angeles has the current advantage. It would still be a very successful season for the Sharks.
Los Angeles Kings advance to Stanley Cup playoffs
The Kings will advance to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sharks are leading the table with an easy NHL schedule, with Los Angeles needing to win at least three of their next four games. The Oilers would defeat the Kings, but the team would finish the season with a three-game winning streak against the Canucks, Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. Los Angeles will have to take advantage of the easy matches to take the organization to the playoffs.
Buffalo Sabers win Atlantic Division for first time since 2010
The Buffalo Sabers would win the Atlantic Division for the first time since the 2009–10 season. Buffalo has a two-point advantage and tiebreaker, meaning it can clinch the division with two wins to end the season. The Sabers would take care of the Chicago Blackhawks but would lose to the Dallas Stars. However, Montreal lost one of its last three games in regulation, clinching the division to Buffalo for the first time in 16 years.
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