The 2025-26 NHL regular season wraps up tonight with six intriguing games that will finalize key elements of the Stanley Cup playoffs and the draft lottery. While all 16 playoff teams are locked in, seeding battles rage in the Pacific Division, and several non-playoff clubs jockey for better lottery odds ahead of the May 5 draw.[1]
Fans have plenty to cheer about as the “second season” kicks off Saturday. The Colorado Avalanche already hold the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record, ensuring home-ice throughout the playoffs. Tonight’s action could reshape first-round matchups and lottery positions dramatically.[1]
Pacific division seeding frenzy
Edmonton Oilers hold a one-point edge over Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings entering the finale. The Oilers boast an insurmountable regulation wins lead, meaning just one point tonight against Vancouver secures second place in the Pacific.[1]
A regulation loss for Edmonton opens the door wide. Anaheim can climb to second with any win at Nashville and an Oilers regulation defeat. The Ducks impressed all season after missing last year’s wild card by 16 points.
Los Angeles faces the steepest climb. Currently tied with Anaheim and one back of Edmonton, the Kings need a win, an Oilers regulation loss, and a Ducks loss to snag second. Even third place requires outpointing Anaheim tonight in Calgary.
Tiebreakers loom large for LA, with only 22 regulation wins putting them behind in potential three-way ties. Aiming to avoid a first-round clash with Colorado, the Kings might prefer facing Pacific rivals like Edmonton—despite four straight playoff losses to the Oilers.
Vancouver, locked with the league’s worst record, plays spoiler against Edmonton without standings pressure. Their No. 1 draft lottery spot is secure weeks ago.
Draft lottery drama heats up
Non-playoff teams fight fiercely for lottery positioning, where the top pick isn’t guaranteed to the last-place finisher. Only the bottom 11 clubs vie for the No. 1 selection, like Penn State’s Gavin McKenna.[1]
St. Louis Blues sit 10th currently. A loss to Utah jumps them ahead of Florida Panthers via tiebreaker and possibly San Jose if the Sharks win.
Nashville Predators, 11th, improve to 12th with any win against Anaheim. An OT loss holds them at 11th; a regulation loss plus Blues win vaults them to 10th.
San Jose Sharks ninth, Winnipeg Jets seventh. A Jets regulation win flips them, pushing Sharks to seventh, Jets to eighth.
Calgary Flames third after Rangers’ win. Any loss keeps them there; a win drops to fourth against LA.
Seattle Kraken locked sixth, eyeing past No. 6 picks like Moritz Seider or busts like Filip Zadina.
Key games and broadcast details
Tonight’s slate features high stakes across time zones. Here’s the rundown:
- St. Louis Blues at Utah Mammoth, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN): Utah faces Vegas in Round 1; Blues chase lottery jump.[1]
- Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+): Ducks hunt seeding; Preds seek lottery slide.
- San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+): Macklin Celebrini’s Sharks battle Jets for lottery spots.
- Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+): Kings’ big push; Flames hold lottery ground.
- Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+): Oilers clinch bid; Canucks locked worst.
- Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN): Presidents’ Trophy winners host locked-in Kraken.
Most games stream on ESPN+ barring blackouts. Check NHL.com for full schedule.[2]
These matchups blend motivation disparities perfectly for drama.
Locked playoff matchups entering finale
Eastern Conference seeds are set:
- A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
- A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
- M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
- M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers[1]
Western locks include C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 (likely Kings), C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild, P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth. P2 Edmonton/P3 Anaheim hangs in balance.
Vegas clinched Pacific atop on a hot streak; Utah earned wild card vs. them. Colorado’s Trophy guarantees home ice deep into playoffs.
For more on the full bracket and scenarios, see ESPN’s breakdown.[1]
Last night’s results shaped this: Dallas edged Buffalo in SO, Rangers beat Tampa, Panthers routed Detroit.
As pucks drop tonight, the focus shifts from regular-season survival to playoff glory. These final outcomes could define early postseason paths and future draft fortunes. With playoffs looming Saturday, expect full effort from those with something to gain—hockey’s best drama awaits.
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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.