During Tuesday’s installment of the NHL postseason tracker, we examined the contention for the pair of Western wild-card berths in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Related: The Superintelligence Nic…
Considering only two matchups are scheduled for Wednesday — yet all four teams remain mathematically contending for a wild card — our attention now turns eastward. Related: Europa League Face-Off: Y…
Following Tuesday’s extensive 13-game schedule, the two Eastern wild-card positions are currently held by the Detroit Red Wings (79 points from 65 games) and the Boston Bruins (78 from 64).
On Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens, a mere point ahead of the Red Wings, will be playing against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+); the Senators have accumulated 73 points in 63 games. Concurrently, the Washington Capitals (71 points from 65 games) and the Philadelphia Flyers (69 from 63) will compete in Philadelphia (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Positioned between the Senators and the two current wild-card holders are the Columbus Blue Jackets, with 74 points from 63 games.
Which teams possess an advantage regarding their future matchups after Wednesday?
The Red Wings are scheduled for 17 more contests, with eight of them against clubs presently in the postseason
The Bruins, too, have 18 fixtures remaining, eight of these versus postseason-bound teams
A further squad, the Blue Jackets, also has 18 matches remaining, 11 of which are against teams currently holding a playoff berth
The Senators will play 18 contests following Wednesday, with 10 of those being against teams occupying a playoff slot
The Capitals will have merely 16 matches remaining, eight of them against postseason squads
The Flyers will likewise have 18 fixtures left, with 10 facing playoff-contending teams
Stathletes indicates that the Canadiens possess the highest postseason probabilities among the group (84.2%), succeeded by the Bruins (71.8%), Senators (68%), Blue Jackets (65.9%), Capitals (18%), and Flyers (5.7%). Significantly, these initial four teams exhibit superior projected chances compared to three clubs presently occupying playoff spots: the Pittsburgh Penguins (65.7%), New York Islanders (61.3%), and Detroit Red Wings (51.7%). A thrilling concluding phase to the season thus seems imminent!
With under 20 contests remaining for every team before the season ends on April 16, we will assist you in monitoring every development daily right here on the NHL postseason tracker. As we navigate the concluding period, insights will be offered on all the playoff races, in addition to the teams vying for placement in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Remark: Postseason probabilities are courtesy of Stathletes.
Proceed to:
Present Postseason Pairings
Wednesday’s Agenda
Tuesday’s Results
Detailed League Tables
Contention for Top Selection
Present Postseason Pairings
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres versus WC1 Detroit Red Wings
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning versus A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes versus WC2 Boston Bruins
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins versus M3 New York Islanders
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche versus WC2 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars versus C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks versus WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers versus P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Wednesday’s Fixtures
Observe: All times are ET. Any contests not aired on TNT or NHL Network are accessible for streaming via ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions are applicable).
Montreal Canadiens in Ottawa Senators’ arena, 7:30 p.m.
Washington Capitals in Philadelphia Flyers’ arena, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Tuesday’s Results Table
Boston Bruins 2, Los Angeles Kings 1 (OT)
Buffalo Sabres 6, San Jose Sharks 3
Montreal Canadiens 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Florida Panthers 4, Detroit Red Wings 3
New York Rangers 4, Calgary Flames 0
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (SO)
New York Islanders 4, St. Louis Blues 3 (OT)
Dallas Stars 2, Vegas Golden Knights 1
Minnesota Wild 5, Utah Mammoth 0
Anaheim Ducks 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Colorado Avalanche 3
Nashville Predators 4, Seattle Kraken 2
Detailed League Tables
Atlantic Division
Points: 86
Victories in Regulation: 34
Postseason Seeding: A1
Contests Remaining: 17
Points Projection: 108.5
Upcoming Match: versus WSH (Thursday)
Postseason Probability: 99.5%
Elimination Number: N/A
Points: 82
Victories in Regulation: 30
Postseason Seeding: A2
Contests Remaining: 19
Points Projection: 106.7
Upcoming Match: versus DET (Thursday)
Postseason Probability: 99.9%
Elimination Number: N/A
Points: 80
Victories in Regulation: 24
Postseason Seeding: A3
Contests Remaining: 19
Points Projection: 104.1
Upcoming Match: in OTT (Wednesday)
Postseason Probability: 84.2%
Elimination Number: N/A
Points: 79
Victories in Regulation: 25
Postseason Seeding: WC1
Contests Remaining: 17
Points Projection: 99.7
Upcoming Match: in TB (Thursday)
Postseason Probability: 51.7%
Elimination Number: N/A
Points: 78
Victories in Regulation: 27
Postseason Seeding: WC2
Contests Remaining: 18
Points Projection: 99.9
Upcoming Match: versus SJ (Thursday)
Postseason Probability: 71.8%
Elimination Number: N/A
Points: 73
Victories in Regulation: 26
Postseason Seeding: N/A
Contests Remaining: 19
Points Projection: 95.0
Upcoming Match: versus MTL (Wednesday)
Postseason Probability: 68%
Elimination Number: 33
Score Total: 67
Victories in Regular Play: 26
Postseason Qualification: N/A
Remaining Matches: 18
Projected Point Rate: 85.8
Upcoming Contest: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff Entry Probability: 4.1%
Elimination Figure: 25
Accumulated Points: 65
Wins in Standard Time: 19
Championship Tournament Spot: N/A
Unplayed Fixtures: 17
Anticipated Scoring Velocity: 82
Subsequent Game: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Likelihood for Elimination Rounds: 0.1%
Critical Number for Elimination: 21
Metropolitan Group
Total Score: 88
Regular Time Victories: 30
Postseason Standing: M1
Contests Remaining: 18
Estimated Point Progression: 112.8
Next Scheduled Match: vs. STL (Thursday)
Playoff Qualification Chances: 99.9%
Elimination Threshold: N/A
Aggregate Points: 79
Standard Play Triumphs: 27
Championship Round Placement: M2
Matches Still to Be Played: 18
Projected Point Velocity: 101.2
Forthcoming Game: @ VGK (Thursday)
Odds of Making Playoffs: 65.7%
Disqualification Figure: N/A
Score Count: 79
Victories Within Regulation: 23
Playoff Seeding: M3
Remaining Fixtures: 17
Anticipated Point Trajectory: 99.7
Immediate Rivalry: vs. LA (Friday)
Likelihood of Playoff Entry: 61.3%
Critical Elimination Number: N/A
Points Accumulated: 76
Regular Wins: 23
Postseason Position: N/A
Games Yet to Play: 18
Predicted Point Rate: 97.4
Next Opponent: @ FLA (Thursday)
Chances of Playoff Berth: 65.9%
Tragic Count: 34
Point Tally: 71
Wins in Regulation: 27
Postseason Slot: N/A
Unplayed Contests: 17
Estimated Points Pace: 89.6
Next Matchup: @ PHI (Wednesday)
Playoff Prospect: 18%
Elimination Mark: 27
Score Total: 69
Regular Game Victories: 19
Championship Seeding: N/A
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Score Velocity: 89.8
Forthcoming Rivalry: vs. WSH (Wednesday)
Likelihood to Qualify: 5.7%
Disqualification Figure: 29
Accumulated Score: 66
Victories in Standard Play: 21
Playoff Standing: N/A
Matches Outstanding: 18
Anticipated Point Pace: 84.6
Next Scheduled Fixture: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Postseason Chances: 4.2%
Tragic Figure: 24
Point Aggregate: 60
Wins in Normal Play: 17
Playoff Slot: N/A
Unplayed Matches: 18
Estimated Point Trajectory: 76.9
Upcoming Contest: @ WPG (Thursday)
Likelihood of Reaching Playoffs: ~0%
Elimination Number: 18
Central Section
Total Points: 95
Regulation Triumphs: 38
Postseason Qualification Rank: C1
Remaining Games: 19
Projected Points Pace: 123.7
Next Scheduled Game: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff Entry Odds: 99.9%
Critical Point for Disqualification: N/A
Accumulated Score: 90
Victories in Standard Time: 32
Championship Tournament Spot: C2
Unplayed Contests: 18
Anticipated Scoring Rate: 115.3
Forthcoming Match: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Likelihood of Playoff Berth: 99.9%
Elimination Threshold: N/A
Point Count: 87
Regular Play Wins: 25
Playoff Placement: C3
Fixtures Still to Play: 17
Estimated Point Velocity: 109.8
Next Rivalry: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Postseason Chances: 99.9%
Tragic Number: N/A
Score Total: 73
Standard Game Triumphs: 26
Championship Tournament Standing: WC1
Remaining Matches: 17
Projected Point Progression: 92.1
Upcoming Opponent: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff Qualification Probability: 98%
Disqualification Figure: N/A
Accumulated Points: 66
Victories in Regular Time: 22
Postseason Position: N/A
Contests Still to Be Played: 18
Anticipated Point Trajectory: 84.6
Subsequent Fixture: @ VAN (Thursday)
Likelihood of Playoff Entry: 6.8%
Critical Number for Elimination: 35
Total Score: 62
Wins Within Regulation: 21
Playoff Slot: N/A
Games Still to Play: 19
Estimated Point Velocity: 80.7
Next Scheduled Contest: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff Entry Prospects: 10.4%
Elimination Figure: 33
Point Tally: 60
Regular Game Victories: 23
Postseason Standing: N/A
Unplayed Fixtures: 18
Projected Score Rate: 76.9
Upcoming Matchup: @ CAR (Thursday)
Odds of Advancing: 1.4%
Disqualification Count: 29
Total Score: 59
Victories in regular play: 18
Postseason standing: N/A
Remaining contests: 18
Projected points: 75.6
Next match: @ UTA (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 0.1%
Elimination threshold: 28
Pacific Region
Total Score: 75
Victories in regular play: 21
Postseason standing: P1
Remaining contests: 18
Projected points: 96.1
Next match: @ TOR (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 96.5%
Elimination threshold: N/A
Total Score: 72
Victories in regular play: 24
Postseason standing: P2
Remaining contests: 17
Projected points: 90.8
Next match: @ DAL (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 84.3%
Elimination threshold: N/A
Total Score: 72
Victories in regular play: 21
Postseason standing: P3
Remaining contests: 17
Projected points: 90.8
Next match: vs. PIT (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 96.1%
Elimination threshold: N/A
Total Score: 67
Victories in regular play: 23
Postseason standing: WC2
Remaining contests: 19
Projected points: 87.2
Next match: vs. COL (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 22.4%
Elimination threshold: N/A
Total Score: 67
Victories in regular play: 16
Postseason standing: N/A
Remaining contests: 18
Projected points: 85.8
Next match: @ NYI (Friday)
Odds of making playoffs: 12.9%
Elimination threshold: 36
Total Score: 66
Victories in regular play: 18
Postseason standing: N/A
Remaining contests: 20
Projected points: 87.3
Next match: @ BOS (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 71.2%
Elimination threshold: 39
Total Score: 57
Victories in regular play: 21
Postseason standing: N/A
Remaining contests: 18
Projected points: 73.0
Next match: @ NJ (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: 0.1%
Elimination threshold: 26
Total Score: 46
Victories in regular play: 13
Postseason standing: N/A
Remaining contests: 18
Projected points: 58.9
Next match: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Odds of making playoffs: ~0%
Elimination threshold: 15
Contest for the Top Draft Selection
A draft draw is utilized by the NHL to set the first-round order; thus, the team ending last isn’t guaranteed the top selection. From 2021 onward, a team winning the lottery can advance by up to 10 positions, restricting eligibility for the top pick’s draw to just 11 teams. More extensive particulars about this procedure are available here. For the upcoming summer, Gavin McKenna, a forward from Penn State, currently leads the draft projections.
Total Score: 46
Victories in regular play: 13
Total Score: 57
Victories in regular play: 21
Total Score: 59
Victories in regular play: 18
Total Score: 60
Victories in regular play: 17
Total Score: 60
Victories in regular play: 23
Total Score: 62
Victories in regular play: 21
Total Score: 65
Victories in regular play: 19
Total Score: 66
Victories in regular play: 22
Total Score: 66
Victories in regular play: 21
Total Score: 66
Victories in regular play: 18
Total Score: 67
Victories in regular play: 26
Total Score: 67
Victories in regular play: 16
Total Score: 69
Victories in regular play: 19
Total Score: 71
Victories in regular play: 27
Total Score: 73
Victories in regular play: 26
Total Score: 76
Victories in regular play: 23
*Important: The Bruins possess the Maple Leafs’ draft selection, unless it falls within the top five spots.