Latest 2026 NHL Playoff Picture 2026, Conference Standings, Seeds and Bracket Predictions

The next few weeks of NHL play are set up to deliver some potentially epic playoff races.

The Eastern Conference wild-card race could go in a variety of directions after the results over the weekend.

A handful of games in the next week will decide how competitive the Western Conference wild-card race will be.

A few division titles are still up for grabs as well, but if you want the maximum amount of drama, the wild-card races are what you need to pay attention to.

Eastern Conference

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Atlantic Division

1 Tampa Bay - 98 points

2. Buffalo - 98

3. Montreal - 94

Metropolitan Division

1 Carolina - 98

2. New York Islanders - 89

3. Pittsburgh - 88

Wild-Card Race

1 Boston - 92

2. Columbus - 88

3. Ottawa - 86

4. Detroit - 86

5. Philadelphia - 86

6. Washington - 83

Two results on Sunday tightened the Eastern Conference wild-card race even further.

Boston's shootout win over Columbus gave the Bruins four points of separation over the Blue Jackets.

While Columbus did pick up a point, its margin of error dropped because of Philadelphia's win over Dallas

The Flyers, who also beat Detroit on Saturday, are now within two points of the final wild-card position.

Ottawa, Detroit and Philadelphia all have 86 points through 73 games.

The wild-card race could shift again on Tuesday. Columbus hosts Carolina in a game that won't be easy to win.

Ottawa is on the road in Florida, while Detroit visits Pittsburgh and Philadelphia heads to Washington.

The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh can still be dragged back into the wild-card race as well if the Blue Jackets or Flyers catch up to them

Tuesday is also a huge day in the Atlantic Division, where Tampa Bay holds the top spot over Buffalo.

The Lightning are at home against Montreal, while the Sabres get the Islanders at home.

There will be no drama at the top of the Metropolitan, where Carolina has a comfortable advantage.

Predictions

Columbus (WC2) vs. Tampa Bay (Atlantic 1)

Boston (WC1) vs. Carolina (Metropolitan 1)

Montreal vs. Buffalo

Pittsburgh vs. New York Islanders

Western Conference

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Central Division

1 Colorado - 106

2. Dallas - 100

3. Minnesota - 94

Pacific Division

1 Anaheim - 86

2. Edmonton - 83

3. Vegas - 80

Wild-Card Race

1 Utah - 82

2. Nashville - 77

3. Los Angeles - 76

4. Seattle - 75

5. Winnipeg - 74

6. San Jose - 73

7. St. Louis - 73

Thursday is the most important day yet in the Western Conference wild-card race.

Nashville visits Los Angeles in the first of two games left between the two teams.

The Kings might enter that game in a playoff position because they play Wednesday against St. Louis.

All of the other teams chasing the Predators and Kings have to keep winning and hope for a split between those two teams to not fall too far back in the hunt.

Seattle, St. Louis and San Jose all have games in hand on the Predators and Kings as well.

The Blues and Sharks play Monday in what could serve as an elimination game in the wild-card race.

The Kraken's Tuesday trip to Edmonton is a tough game for them, especially with the Oilers still in the mix in the Pacific Division.

Anaheim can pad its advantage over the Oilers with wins over Toronto and San Jose on Monday and Wednesday.

Playoff Predictions

Nashville (WC2) vs. Colorado (Central 1)

Utah (WC1) vs. Edmonton (Pacific 1)

Vegas vs. Anaheim

Minnesota vs. Dallas