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

The 2025-26 NHL regular season wraps up on Thursday, April 16, and the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 18. This year’s playoffs will feature plenty of fresh storylines, as the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers have been eliminated and will not defend their title.Here’s everything you need to know:

2026 NHL Playoff Bracket (as of April 12)

Eastern Conference

(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins

(A2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning

(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators

(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings

(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild

(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth

(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Anaheim Ducks

Current NHL Standings (through April 12)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Buffalo Sabres – 49-23-8 (106 pts) X

Montreal Canadiens – 48-23-10 (106 pts) X

Tampa Bay Lightning – 49-25-6 (104 pts) X

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes – 52-22-6 (110 pts) Y

Pittsburgh Penguins – 41-24-16 (98 pts) X

Philadelphia Flyers – 41-27-12 (94 pts)

Wild CardBoston Bruins – 44-27-10 (98 pts) X

Ottawa Senators – 43-27-11 (97 pts) X

Western Conference

Central Division

Colorado Avalanche – 52-16-11 (115 pts) X

Dallas Stars – 48-20-12 (108 pts) X

Minnesota Wild – 45-23-12 (102 pts) X

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights – 37-26-17 (91 pts) X

Edmonton Oilers – 40-30-10 (90 pts) X

Anaheim Ducks – 42-32-6 (90 pts)

Wild Card

Utah Mammoth – 42-32-6 (90 pts) X

Los Angeles Kings – 34-26-19 (87 pts)

Key Playoff Dates

Last day of regular season: Thursday, April 16

First round starts: Saturday, April 18

Stanley Cup Finals: June 2026

How the 2026 NHL Playoffs Work

16 teams total (8 Eastern, 8 Western)

Top 3 teams from each division get the top 6 seeds in their conference

The final 2 spots per conference are wild cards (best remaining teams, regardless of division)

All series are best-of-7

First round: Division winners face wild cards; division 2nd vs 3rd place

The Florida Panthers’ bid for a three-peat is over, opening the door for a new Stanley Cup champion in 2026. Favorites include the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars.

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