Bruins, Golden Knights, Oilers Near Stanley Cup Playoff Berths

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 11, 2026 2:44 PM ET

Bruins, Golden Knights, Oilers Near Stanley Cup Playoff Berths

Six days remain in the NHL regular season. The playoff races are intense across both conferences.

The postseason field will include the top three teams in each division. Two additional wild-card teams per conference also qualify. Bruins and Golden Knights have multiple clinching lines, with the Oilers near Stanley Cup playoff berths.

Eastern Conference clinch scenarios

Boston sits on the brink of securing a berth. Several outcomes will lock their spot.

If Boston defeats the Tampa Bay Lightning in any fashion, they clinch immediately.
If Boston earns at least one point against Tampa Bay, they can still clinch. That requires New Jersey beating Detroit. It also requires either Ottawa beating New York Islanders or Winnipeg beating Philadelphia.
Alternatively, if New Jersey beats Detroit in regulation, Boston can clinch. That outcome must be paired with either Ottawa beating the Islanders in regulation or Winnipeg beating Philadelphia in regulation.
Ottawa can clinch as well. Ottawa will clinch if they defeat the Islanders and New Jersey beats Detroit.

Western Conference clinch scenarios

Several Western teams can secure postseason berths this week. Conditions vary by result in other games.

Edmonton will clinch with at least one point against the Los Angeles Kings.
Edmonton also clinches if the Jets do not beat the Flyers in regulation.
Vegas can clinch by beating Colorado in any fashion.
If Vegas earns at least one point against Colorado, they can clinch. That requires Philadelphia beating Winnipeg and Minnesota beating Nashville.
Vegas can also clinch if Vancouver beats San Jose, Philadelphia beats Winnipeg in regulation, and Minnesota beats Nashville in regulation.
Anaheim can clinch while idle. That requires Vancouver beating San Jose, Philadelphia beating Winnipeg in regulation, and Minnesota beating Nashville in regulation.
Dallas can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Central with a win over the New York Rangers.
Dallas can also lock that seed by earning a point against the Rangers while Nashville defeats Minnesota. A Nashville regulation win over Minnesota also secures Dallas’ seed.