The 2025-26 NHL regular season heads into its final stretch on April 13, 2026, with Monday’s 10 games carrying massive implications for playoff seeding and the draft lottery. While some teams have locked in postseason berths or lottery positions, several races remain wide open, including wild-card spots in the West and top seeds in key divisions. The Stanley Cup playoffs begin this Saturday on ESPN, making these results pivotal.[1]
Fans can expect high drama, especially with traded picks hanging in the balance for teams like Toronto and Detroit. The draft lottery on May 5 will shuffle the order further, but Monday’s outcomes could solidify positions.[2]
Eastern conference showdowns
The Atlantic Division remains a tight battle among Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and others, all hovering around 104-106 points. Tampa Bay hosts Detroit looking to secure the top seed and a first-round date with Boston or Ottawa. A strong performance here could edge out Buffalo, who hold a regulation-wins advantage.
Buffalo travels to Chicago, controlling their destiny for the division crown. A regulation win keeps them atop, setting up a series against the wild-card Bruins. The Sabres’ recent form has them as favorites, but any slip could open the door.
In the Metro, Carolina visits Philadelphia with the division title locked but the East’s No. 1 seed in sight. A win or OT loss clinches it, pairing them against Ottawa. Philly, on the playoff bubble, needs any win to lock in against Pittsburgh; a regulation loss complicates their final games.
New York Rangers face Florida, focusing solely on draft position. Sitting third in lottery order after Calgary’s win, they can’t climb higher than the Blackhawks’ lead. Florida lurks nearby in seventh.[3]
These games underscore the East’s parity. Detroit, eliminated, plays spoiler while their pick—now Blues property—hovers at 14th.
Philly’s surge into contention adds intrigue, potentially knocking out Columbus if they falter.
Western conference wild-card chaos
The West’s second wild-card race boils over with Los Angeles at Seattle, Nashville hosting San Jose, and Winnipeg at Vegas. LA’s recent 6-1-3 run positions them favorably; a win eliminates Winnipeg and San Jose, clinching if Nashville loses.
San Jose needs miracles—five points from three games with no help from LA or Nashville, or three wins plus losses elsewhere. Nashville, with 86 points, has a clearer path but faces tough foes.
Vegas hosts Winnipeg aiming to clinch the Pacific top spot. Undefeated in regulation since hiring John Tortorella, a win plus Edmonton’s loss reclaims first via tiebreaker.
Colorado at Edmonton features Presidents’ Trophy winner Avs resting for the wild card, while Oilers chase Vegas. Edmonton dropped from first but holds regulation-wins edge.
Dallas at Toronto pits locked No. 2 Central Stars against lottery-focused Leafs. Toronto’s pick goes to Boston unless top-5; they’re fifth now, risking loss with points.
Minnesota at St. Louis offers no playoff stakes for Wild but lottery movement for Blues, who could swing from fifth to 11th.
This cluster promises volatility. LA’s pedal-to-metal form could seal fates early.
Winnipeg mirrors San Jose’s long-shot needs.
Draft lottery jockeying
Several non-playoff teams tune draft odds on Monday. Rangers third, Panthers seventh, Maple Leafs fifth—all per tiebreakers.[2]
Chicago locked at No. 2, picking no worse than fourth. Blues eighth with room to move. Blackhawks’ 70 points cement security.
Traded picks amplify stakes: Toronto keeps if top-5, else to Boston. Detroit’s unconditionally to St. Louis, potentially 14th.
San Jose, out of playoffs likely, eyes high pick alongside lottery hopefuls.
Gavin McKenna tops boards, drawing scouts.
Lottery caps jumps at 10 spots, keeping 11 eligible.
Monday shifts rankings before May 5 draw.
Today’s full schedule and projected matchups
Monday’s slate packs action across time zones:
- Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Dallas Stars at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
- Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Current Eastern matchups project Buffalo vs. Boston, Montreal vs. Tampa, Carolina vs. Ottawa, Pittsburgh vs. Philly. West: Colorado vs. LA, Dallas vs. Minnesota, Vegas vs. Utah, Edmonton vs. Anaheim.[4]
For deeper dives, check ESPN’s full playoff bracket or draft lottery simulator.
With three or fewer games left for every team, Thursday’s finale looms. Monday sets the table for intense finishes and lottery drama—don’t miss it. Playoff chances via Stathletes highlight the razor-thin margins.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.