With fewer than 15 games left for every team before the regular season wraps on April 16, Tuesday’s packed 15-game slate carries massive implications across the NHL. From wild-card scrambles in both conferences to positioning for division crowns and even the Presidents’ Trophy, these matchups could reshape the playoff bracket and draft lottery order. Clinched teams like the Colorado Avalanche look to extend leads, while bubble squads fight for survival.
ESPN NHL Playoffs Bracket ESPN NHL Playoffs Standings
The Eastern Conference wild-card race remains chaotic, with the Boston Bruins even in points with the Montreal Canadiens but trailing on tiebreakers. Out West, the Pacific Division’s “pillow fight” keeps more teams alive than expected, including the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks chasing spots. Lottery hopefuls like the Vancouver Canucks eye the top pick.
Current playoff matchups
The bracket is taking shape, with top seeds holding firm amid the late-season push.
Eastern conference
- A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
- A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
- M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 New York Islanders
- M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue Jackets
Western conference
- C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
- P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
- P2 Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Buffalo leads the Atlantic with 95 points and near-certain playoffs at 99.9% odds. Carolina tops the Metro at 96 points, one ahead of Buffalo overall. Colorado paces the league with 102 points, holding a six-point edge on the Presidents’ Trophy race despite Dallas and Anaheim lurking.
Bubble teams like the Islanders (85 points, 50.9% odds) cling to WC2, while Detroit (84 points, 38.2%) and Ottawa (83 points, 68%) battle just outside. In the West, Utah’s 80 points secure WC1 for now, but Nashville at 75 could slip with Winnipeg pressing.
Key eastern conference games
Toronto at Boston kicks off the night at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. The Bruins, holding WC1, face extra incentive against the Leafs—their traded 2026 first-rounder rolls over if top-five. Toronto’s faint hopes end with a Bruins win, dropping their tragic number to zero effectively.
Carolina at Montreal follows, pitting the East’s No. 1 seed against A3. Montreal could face the Hurricanes in round one with help elsewhere; Carolina eyes Buffalo and Colorado for top seed. Ottawa at Detroit pits two outsiders—Sens at 81 points after 69 games, Wings at 84 through 70—desperate for points in new-arena debuts.
Chicago at Islanders sees lottery leaders (Blackhawks top-three) test WC2 holders. Columbus at Philadelphia has CBJ hot, one back of Pitt for M2, while Philly trails by five. Colorado at Pittsburgh matches potential Cup finalists, Avs atop NHL, Pens leading Metro mix.
These games highlight tiebreakers and motivation. Boston’s coach noted Toronto’s pick as “added fire,” per recent reports. Philly’s chase pack status demands upsets.
Western conference fireworks
Minnesota at Tampa Bay on TNT at 7:30 p.m. evokes USA-Canada Olympic vibes with Wild’s Hughes, Boldy, Faber vs. Lightning’s Hagel, Point. Tampa chips at Buffalo’s Atlantic lead; Minnesota eyes Dallas for Central No. 2.
San Jose at Nashville could mark Celebrini’s playoff debut push—Sharks five back with games in hand. Vegas at Winnipeg has Knights second in Pacific despite down year; Jets sixth in lottery. LA at Calgary tests Kings’ wild-card bid in Kopitar’s finale; Flames eye prospects post-trades.
Edmonton at Utah sees Oilers hold P3, Mammoth WC1 debutants. Anaheim at Vancouver caps it—Ducks lead Pacific, Canucks lottery No. 1 at 50 points.
Seattle at Florida and Washington at St. Louis, New Jersey at Dallas round out stakes. Kraken alive in Pacific pillow fight; Caps fringe East WC; Stars chase Avs. Ovechkin and Binnington face uncertain futures.
For deeper dives on teams like the Senators, check our recent analysis on their wild-card push, highlighting their favorable schedule and 68% odds.
Wild-card and division races
East wild cards: Bruins/Montreal tied at 86; Isles WC2 at 85. Detroit/Ottawa trail closely—tragic numbers at 23/22. Metro: Pitt leads CBJ/Isles by one.
West WC: Utah 80, Nashville 75; Winnipeg 70 fading fast. Pacific parity keeps Sharks (70), Kings (73), Kraken (71) in hunt five back of Edmonton. Central locked top-three.
Playoff chances per Stathletes: Utah 99.3%, Nashville 37.8%, Sharks 27.3%, Kings 45.4%. Momentum matters—CBJ hottest lately.
As outlined in our ranking of top first-round matchups, games like Avs-Pens or Wild-Lightning could preview fireworks.
Draft lottery shakeup
Vancouver leads at 50 points, 15 ahead for No. 1 odds—Gavin McKenna atop boards. Rangers/Chicago/Calgary tied at 65; St. Louis 67. Toronto/Seattle/Florida at 71 fight top-10.
Leafs’ pick to Bruins adds intrigue. Flames post-Kadri/Andersson sales eye pipeline. Blackhawks build dynasty with picks.
Tuesday accelerates sorting—wins boost playoffs, losses climb lottery.
These results will clarify locks like Avs/Dallas (clinched) from pretenders. Wild-card winners gain easier paths; top seeds avoid crossovers. Bubble bursts loom, but parity promises drama through April 16. Follow NHL.com schedule for live updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.