NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026 Bracket, Format and Updated Predictions

Two division titles and a pair of wild-card spots are the focus of the NHL postseason races this weekend.

The Atlantic and Pacific Divisions could go any one of three ways, while the wild-card races still have some congestion to them.

The third-place spot in the Metropolitan Division can come into focus as well this weekend if Philadelphia loses in Winnipeg on Saturday.

The top team in each conference plays the second wild-card team, while the other division champion takes on the No. 1 wild-card qualifier. The second-and-third-place teams in each division play each other in the opening round.

Eastern Conference

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Atlantic Division

1 Buffalo - 106 points

2. Montreal - 104

3. Tampa Bay - 102

Metropolitan Division

1 Carolina - 108

2. Pittsburgh - 98

3. Philadelphia - 92

Wild-Card Race

1 Boston - 96

2. Ottawa - 94

3. Detroit - 91

4. New York Islanders - 91

5. Columbus - 90

6. Washington - 89

Carolina, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Montreal and Tampa Bay have all clinched playoff berths.

The Hurricanes are the only team of that quintet to be locked into a position as the Metropolitan Division winner.

The Canadiens and Lightning each have a game-in-hand on the Sabres that will be played on Saturday. The Canadiens host Columbus, while the Lightning visit Boston.

Buffalo closes with Chicago and Dallas on Monday and Wednesday. It has a path to 110 points and the division title. The Stars likely won't need Wednesday's game for their playoff seeding.

Montreal is on the road against the New York Islanders and Philadelphia after Saturday, while Tampa Bay finishes at home with Detroit and the New York Rangers.

The wild-card race is less chaotic than it was a week ago. Boston and Ottawa are in clear control of the final two East playoff spots.

A Saturday road win over the Islanders would put the Senators in even better shape. Even if they lose that game, the Sens should finish with 98 points since they finish with New Jersey and Toronto.

The Islanders absolutely need to beat the Senators to claw themselves back into the wild-card race. They play the Canadiens and Hurricanes at home on Sunday and Tuesday, so it might be hard to take over Ottawa, even with a Saturday head-to-head victory.

Detroit closes with New Jersey, Tampa Bay and Florida. It needs to sweep those games and have Ottawa stumble down the stretch to get into the postseason.

The Islanders, Columbus and Washington are better suited to chase the No. 3 spot in the Metropolitan Division than the second wild-card spot.

Philadelphia leads the Islanders by one point, but that lead could evaporate on Saturday with a tough road game in Winnipeg.

The Flyers get Carolina and Montreal at home on Monday and Tuesday. That's not exactly the easiest closing stretch and it is why there's so much hope within the three teams beneath them.

If the Flyers win out, they'll qualify for the postseason. If they win two of three, they need the Isles and Blue Jackets to each lose once.

Bracket Predictions

Ottawa vs. Carolina (Metropolitan 1)

Boston vs. Buffalo (Atlantic 1)

Tampa Bay vs. Montreal

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

Western Conference

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Central Division

1 Colorado - 114

2. Dallas - 106

3. Minnesota - 102

Pacific Division

1 Edmonton - 90

2. Vegas - 89

3. Anaheim - 89

Wild-Card Race

1 Utah - 90

2. Los Angeles - 85

3. Nashville - 84

4. Winnipeg - 82

5. San Jose - 81

6. St. Louis - 78

7. Seattle - 77

The Pacific Division order and the second wild-card spot still have to be determined in the West.

Edmonton's afternoon clash with Los Angeles on Saturday is a crucial game for both races.

The Oilers wrap up the regular season with Colorado, who already clinched the Presidents' Trophy, and Vancouver, so if they can beat the Kings, they should cruise to the Pacific title.

Vegas faces a Colorado team likely resting a few players on Saturday before it comes home to face Winnipeg and Seattle. The Golden Knights should get at least five, if not six, points from those games.

Anaheim has one win in its last seven games, but it does get some relief with Vancouver on the schedule on Sunday. The Ducks finish on the road in Minnesota and Nashville.

Nashville needs every point left on its schedule to push the Kings to the final day of the regular season in the wild-card race.

The Predators conclude the regular season with a three-game home stand against Minnesota, San Jose and Anaheim. They are 20-15-3 on home ice.

The Kings have four remaining games, but if they lose to the Oilers on Saturday, they lose that game-in-hand advantage.

Winnipeg and San Jose need to win out and get some help, while St. Louis and Seattle are on the verge of being eliminated.

Bracket Prediction

Nashville vs. Colorado (Central 1)

Utah vs. Edmonton (Pacific 1)

Minnesota vs. Dallas

Anaheim vs. Vegas