NHL Playoff Picture 2026-27

NHL playoff picture for 2026-27, updated September 17. The Eastern Conference season has not started; seeds below are the pre-season order. The Western Conference season has not started; seeds below are the pre-season order.

Eastern ConferenceWestern ConferenceBoth

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

Atlantic (top 3)
–Boston BruinsAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs NYR Tue
–Buffalo SabresAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 pts@ CBJ Thu
–Detroit Red WingsAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs NYR Fri
Metropolitan (top 3)
–Carolina HurricanesMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs FLA Tue
–Columbus Blue JacketsMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs BUF Thu
–New Jersey DevilsMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs PHI Thu
Wild cards
–Florida PanthersAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 pts@ CAR Tue
–Montréal CanadiensAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 pts@ TOR Tue
In the hunt
–New York IslandersMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 pts@ TOR Wed
–New York RangersMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 pts@ BOS Tue
–Ottawa SenatorsAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 pts@ TOR Sat
–Philadelphia FlyersMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs PIT Wed
–Pittsburgh PenguinsMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 pts@ PHI Wed
–Tampa Bay LightningAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 pts@ NYR Thu
–Toronto Maple LeafsAtlantic0-0-0 · 0 ptsvs MTL Tue
–Washington CapitalsMetropolitan0-0-0 · 0 pts@ CAR Fri

Top 3 in each division qualify, plus the 2 best remaining teams in the conference as wild cards. Teams are ranked by points. Tags: x clinched playoff, y clinched wild card, z clinched division, * clinched conference and home-ice, e eliminated (points-only maths). Arrows = movement since the last games.

If the Playoffs Started Today

Eastern Conference first round

Atlantic
WC2Canadiens0 pts@D1Bruins0 pts
D3Red Wings0 pts@D2Sabres0 pts
Metropolitan
WC1Panthers0 pts@D1Hurricanes0 pts
D3Devils0 pts@D2Blue Jackets0 pts

Western Conference first round

Central
WC2Wild0 pts@D1Blackhawks0 pts
D3Stars0 pts@D2Avalanche0 pts
Pacific
WC1Kings0 pts@D1Ducks0 pts
D3Oilers0 pts@D2Flames0 pts

Division winner with more points faces the second wild card. Higher seed has home-ice advantage. Matchups update automatically after every game.

Games That Matter This Week

No bubble games in the next week.

Biggest Movers

No seed changes since the last games.

⚖️ How NHL tiebreakers work →

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Playoff picture FAQ

How many teams make the NHL playoffs?

16, eight per conference: the top three in each division plus the two best remaining teams in the conference as wild cards.

How are NHL playoff teams ranked?

By points: two for a win, one for an overtime or shootout loss. Ties on points go to points percentage, then regulation wins, then regulation plus overtime wins.

How does the NHL playoff bracket work?

The first two rounds are played inside the division. The division winner with more points faces the second wild card; the other division winner faces the first wild card; second plays third in each division.

What does "in the hunt" mean?

Teams outside the current playoff eight but within about five points of the last wild card spot.

What do the x, y, z and * tags mean?

x clinched a playoff berth, y clinched a wild card, z clinched the division, * clinched the conference and home-ice advantage. An e means the team is eliminated.

When is the playoff picture final?

After the last regular-season game in April. Until then every result can move teams, especially where teams are tied on points.

Updated · last result change Sep 11