2026 NHL Playoffs: Current Standings, Bracket, and Tiebreakers Explained

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 26, 2026 5:51 AM ET

2026 NHL Playoffs: Current Standings, Bracket, and Tiebreakers Explained

Tuesday’s busy schedule reshuffled the playoff picture across the NHL. Three teams moved up in the race during the 15-game slate on March 24. The Buffalo Sabres had a chance to overtake the Carolina Hurricanes for the Eastern Conference top seed on Wednesday night.

Buffalo entered the stretch with a 33-6-5 record since Dec. 9. The team replaced general manager Kevyn Adams with Jarmo Kekalainen two games into that run. The Sabres aim to end a 14-season playoff drought.

Key Monday–Wednesday developments

On Tuesday, Ottawa climbed into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Edmonton rose into second place in the Pacific Division. Columbus moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division. If those teams finish the season in those slots, they would enjoy first-round home-ice advantage.

By March 25 two games involving Buffalo produced these results: Boston 4, Buffalo 3 (OT) and Toronto 4, Buffalo 3. No team could clinch a playoff spot that day.

Standings snapshot (as of March 25)

Eastern Conference leaders and key positions are listed below.

Metropolitan Division: Carolina Hurricanes (96), Columbus Blue Jackets (87), Pittsburgh Penguins (86).
Atlantic Division: Buffalo Sabres (96), Tampa Bay Lightning (93), Montreal Canadiens (88).
Wild cards: Boston Bruins (88), Ottawa Senators (85).
Notable teams outside playoff spots include New York Islanders (85) and Detroit Red Wings (84).
New York Rangers were eliminated with 65 points.

Western Conference snapshot follows.

Central Division: Colorado Avalanche (104), Dallas Stars (97), Minnesota Wild (92).
Pacific Division: Anaheim Ducks (84), Edmonton Oilers (79), Vegas Golden Knights (78).
Wild cards: Utah Mammoth (80), Nashville Predators (77).
Notable teams outside playoff spots include Los Angeles Kings (74) and Seattle Kraken (72).
Vancouver Canucks were listed as eliminated with 50 points.

Projected playoff brackets

Here is how the bracket would shape up if the season had ended on March 25. This snapshot is useful for fans tracking the 2026 NHL Playoffs and current standings.

Eastern Conference

Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
Columbus (M2) vs. Pittsburgh (M3)
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)

Western Conference

Colorado (C1) vs. Nashville (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)

Tiebreakers explained

The NHL applies a specific order of tiebreakers when teams finish tied in points. These rules decide seeding and playoff qualification.

Regulation wins.
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW).
Total wins.
Most points earned in head-to-head competition. If teams played an uneven number of times, the first game in the city with the extra meeting is excluded.
Goal differential.
Total goals scored.

Schedule and elimination scenarios

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end Thursday, April 16, with six games. The Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin Saturday, April 18. No team could clinch on March 25.

The New York Rangers faced elimination if they lost to Toronto on that date. That result would confirm their removal from playoff contention.

Notes on Marc-Andre Fleury

Veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury addressed retirement plans. He also spoke about goalie fights and a partnership with Kraft. Fleury’s comments added a human element to the playoff conversation.

Filmogaz.com compiled this update to keep readers informed on the 2026 NHL Playoffs, current standings, bracket and tiebreakers explained. Check back as the race tightens in the final weeks.