Eastern Conference:: All first-round series are set with Carolina facing Ottawa, Pittsburgh against Philadelphia, Buffalo playing Boston, and Tampa Bay battling Montreal.
Western Conference:: Vegas secured the Pacific Division title and will face Utah. The final seedings for Edmonton, Anaheim, and Los Angeles were determined on the last night of the regular season.
Tiebreaker Rules:: Regulation wins are the primary tiebreaker, followed by regulation and overtime wins (ROW), total wins, and head-to-head record.
The 2026 NHL playoff picture is shaping up with intense matchups across both conferences. Here's a closer look:
The Eastern Conference bracket is finalized, promising compelling first-round series:
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators:: The Hurricanes, led by consistent goaltending, face a hot Senators team.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers:: A classic rivalry renewed in the playoffs.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins:: The Sabres, returning to the playoffs after a long drought, take on a Bruins team looking to regain its early-season form.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens:: A rematch of recent playoff battles, with Tampa Bay holding home-ice advantage.
The Western Conference sees the Vegas Golden Knights clinching their division and several other teams solidifying their positions:
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings:: The Avalanche, boasting the league's best record, face a Kings team surging at the right time.
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild:: A Central Division showdown with both teams looking to make a deep run.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth:: Vegas, under new coaching, faces a Mammoth team making its playoff debut.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks:: A battle between two high-scoring teams.
Vegas Golden Knights:: Clinched the Pacific Division title.
Colorado Avalanche:: Secured the Presidents' Trophy with the league's best record.
Buffalo Sabres:: Won the Atlantic Division, marking their first division title since 2010.
For full standings, see:
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18.
What are the tiebreaker rules in the NHL standings?
The primary tiebreakers are regulation wins, followed by regulation and overtime wins (ROW), total wins, and head-to-head record.
The Eastern Conference playoff matchups are set, promising exciting first-round series.
The Western Conference saw the Vegas Golden Knights clinch their division, with other seedings finalized on the last day of the regular season.
Key tiebreaker rules emphasize the importance of regulation wins in determining final standings.
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