The NHL has officially announced the 16 teams for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the playoff field is now set, seeding remains undecided heading into the final days of the regular season. In fact, almost all of the first-round matchups have not yet been determined. Only one playoff series has been completely determined before the final game.
Here's a look at the confirmed NHL playoff teams and what's still at stake before the brackets are finalized.
Eastern Conference playoff teams
Atlantic Division
- buffalo saber
- tampa bay lightning
- montreal canadiens
Metropolitan Division
- carolina storm
- pittsburgh penguins
- philadelphia flyers
wild card teams
- boston bruins
- ottawa senators
Western Conference playoff teams
Central Division
- colorado avalanche
- dallas stars
- minnesota wild
Pacific Division
- vegas golden knights
- edmonton oilers
- anaheim ducks
wild card teams
- utah mammoth
- Los Angeles Kings
What still remains to be decided
- Vegas, Edmonton and Anaheim still fighting to win Pacific Division
- Boston and Ottawa have one more game to earn the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference
- Utah and Los Angeles have two games to decide the wild card spot in the Western Conference
- Several NHL teams fighting for home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup playoffs
What's next in the NHL?
The 16 NHL playoff teams may have been determined, but there is still plenty of intrigue to wrap up the 2025-26 regular season. The Pacific Division is still in contention while playoff position will be the most important factor over the next few days. After all, the Stanley Cup Playoffs reward teams that can earn home ice advantage.
While wild card drama won't be present in the final days of the NHL regular season, there is a lot that needs to be determined before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
READ MORE: Full NHL playoff pictures today – updated standings and Stanley Cup bracket
