Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference First-Round Matchup Scenarios

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 16, 2026 9:55 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference First-Round Matchup Scenarios

The NHL regular season reaches its final day on Thursday. All 16 playoff berths are now decided, but some Western Conference seedings remain unsettled.

Final-day stakes

Eastern Conference matchups are locked. The Pacific Division outcome will decide several Western first-round pairings.

Edmonton, Los Angeles and Anaheim each play on Thursday. The Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference First-Round Matchup Scenarios will be resolved before the weekend.

Possible Western first-round matchups

P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Anaheim Ducks; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings

This matchup happens if any of the listed results occur.

Oilers earn at least one point against the Canucks, and Ducks beat the Predators.
Predators beat the Ducks in overtime or a shootout, and Flames beat the Kings.
Predators beat the Ducks in regulation, and Flames beat the Kings in regulation.

P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Anaheim Ducks

Several outcome combinations produce this pairing.

Oilers record at least one point vs. Canucks, Kings beat the Flames, and Predators beat the Ducks.
Oilers get a point vs. Canucks, Kings earn at least one point vs. Flames, and Predators beat the Ducks in regulation.
Flames beat the Kings in overtime or a shootout, and Predators beat the Ducks in regulation.

P2 Anaheim Ducks vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings

This scenario requires three specific results on the final day.

Ducks defeat the Predators.
Canucks beat the Oilers in regulation.
Flames beat the Kings.

P2 Anaheim Ducks vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Edmonton Oilers

Another combination can send Edmonton into the wild-card spot.

Ducks beat the Predators.
Canucks beat the Oilers in regulation.
Kings beat the Flames.

P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Anaheim Ducks

One final set of outcomes creates a Kings-Ducks wild-card split.

Kings beat the Flames.
Canucks beat the Oilers in regulation.
Predators beat the Ducks.

All seedings will be finalized after Thursday’s games. The first-round pairs are set ahead of the playoff openers on Saturday.

For continued coverage and final confirmations, follow Filmogaz.com.