Who's in 2026 NHL playoffs? Updated standings, bracket, tiebreaker scenarios

The story below has been updated with Friday night's completed games.Overview

The Colorado Avalanche aren't as dominant as they were at the beginning of the season, but their early goodwill paid off on Friday, March 20, as they became the first NHL team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs berth. The Avalanche also became the first team to reach 100 points this season. The Avalanche had only two regulation losses on Jan. 1. That's up to 13 now and the Dallas Stars had pulled within two points of the Central Division leaders by beating Colorado this week.

That lead is now up to four points after the Avalanche's 4-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. Colorado holds the tiebreaker edge on Dallas.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, surging after a coaching change, moved into a playoff position on Thursday night by improving to 17-2-4 under Rick Bowness. The New York Islanders dropped below the playoff line.

Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: None

Western Conference: Colorado

When does the NHL regular season end?

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.

When do the NHL playoffs start?

The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin on Saturday, April 18.

Who can clinch today?

The Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff berth with at least one point against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

The Avalanche won 4-1.NHL games today (Friday, March 20)

Carolina 4, Toronto 3 (OT)

Washington 2, New Jersey 1

Colorado 4, Chicago 1

Calgary 4, Florida 1

Anaheim 4, Utah 1

NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26

Metropolitan Division Carolina Hurricanes (94)

Pittsburgh Penguins (84)

Columbus Blue Jackets (83)

Atlantic Division Buffalo Sabres (92)

Tampa Bay Lightning (88)

Montreal Canadiens (84)

Wild card Boston Bruins (84)

Detroit Red Wings (84)

Sitting out of playoff position

New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (79), Philadelphia Flyers (78), Washington Capitals (78), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (71), New York Rangers (64)NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26

Central Division Colorado Avalanche (100)

Dallas Stars (96)

Minnesota Wild (90)

Pacific Division Anaheim Ducks (80)

Edmonton Oilers (77)

Vegas Golden Knights (76)

Wild card Utah Mammoth (78)

Los Angeles Kings (72)

Sitting out of playoff position

Seattle Kraken (71), Nashville Predators (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (67), St. Louis Blues (65), Chicago Blackhawks (64), Calgary Flames (63), Vancouver Canucks (50)NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended today:

Carolina (M1) vs Detroit (WC2)

Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Columbus (M3)

Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)

Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.

Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild cardNHL Western Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended today: Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)

Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)

Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)

Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.

Key: C - Central Division. P - Pacific Division. WC - wild cardNHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?

If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers: Regulation wins

Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)

Total wins

Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.

Goal differential

Total goals

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