NHL Playoff Picture Today: Updated Standings & Stanley Cup Bracket
The race to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is reaching its finalchaotic stretch. Entering the final Sunday of the regular seasonthe playoff picture is taking shapewhile teams fight out for the last spot in the Metro Division and Wild Card in the Western Conference.
Here’s a look at the latest projected Stanley Cup Playoff bracketplus updated division standings and Wild Card races across the NHL.
Updated April 12 – Standings and bracket reflect games played on April 11.
Projected 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket
Projected 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff bracket after the NHL games on SaturdayApril 11.
Eastern Conference
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Boston Bruins
(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
NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
X = clinched playoff spot
Atlantic Division
1. Sabres (X) — 106 pts
2. Lightning (X) — 104 pts
3. Canadiens (X) — 104 pts
Metro Division
1. Hurricanes (X) — 110 pts
2. Penguins (X) — 98 pts
3. Flyers — 94 pts
4. Blue Jackets — 92 pts
5. Capitals — 91 pts
6. Islanders — 91 pts
NHL Wild Card (East) – Top 2 Qualify
PLAYOFF SPOTS
Senators (X) — 96 pts
Bruins (X) — 96 pts
NHL Western Conference Playoff Picture
X = clinched playoff spot
Central Division
1. Avalanche (X) — 115 pts
2. Stars (X) — 108 pts
3. Wild (X) — 102 pts
Pacific Division
1. Golden Knights (X) — 91 pts
2. Oilers (X) — 90 pts
3. Ducks — 89 pts
NHL Wild Card (West) – Top 2 Qualify
PLAYOFF SPOTS
Mammoth (X) — 90 pts
Kings — 87 pts
WILD CARD BUBBLE
Predators — 86 pts
Jets — 82 pts
Sharks — 82 pts
When do the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs start?
Start date: SaturdayApril 18
The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will start on SaturdayApril 18two days after the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
Read More: First 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Series Announced – Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
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