With 16 days remaining in the regular season, the fight for the 2026 NHL postseason is intensifying. Playoff spots and seeding are up for grabs, as teams jostle for position.
The top three teams in each of the four divisions, along with the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, will advance to the playoffs.
Avalanche Chase Presidents’ Trophy
The Colorado Avalanche, boasting a record of 49-14-10, lead the NHL with 108 points. A win against the Vancouver Canucks would bring them closer to securing first place in the Central Division and clinching the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Avalanche have won five of their last six games, including a dominant 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. During that game, they scored five goals in the first period and capitalised on three of their four power play opportunities. Colorado currently holds an eight-point lead over the Dallas Stars in the race for the top spot in both the division and the overall NHL standings. Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon is also in contention for the Art Ross Trophy, trailing Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov in the scoring race.
Kings Pursue Wild Card Berth
The Los Angeles Kings (29-26-18) have an opportunity to move into the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. This is before their game against the Nashville Predators. They are currently trailing the Predators by a single point. The Kings, however, have struggled recently, with only two wins in their last eight games (2-3-3).
Blues Fight to Stay in Playoff Contention
The St. Louis Blues (31-31-11) are aiming to stay competitive in the crowded Western Conference wild-card race. They need a win to keep their hopes alive. The Blues are currently four points behind the Predators, with the Kings, Seattle Kraken, Sharks, and Winnipeg Jets all ahead of them. After going 10-2-2 in March to get back into the playoff picture, a loss in Los Angeles would further diminish their chances.
Sharks Eye Playoff Position
The San Jose Sharks (34-31-7) have a chance to gain ground in the playoff race with a game in hand. A win against the Anaheim Ducks could potentially move them into a playoff position. San Jose is currently two points behind Nashville for the second wild card and one point behind the Kings. A win against Anaheim coupled with a loss of any kind for Los Angeles would move San Jose into the second.
Wild Aim to Clinch Playoff Berth
The Minnesota Wild can clinch a playoff berth if either of these scenarios occur:
- The St. Louis Blues defeat the Los Angeles Kings in any fashion.
- The Anaheim Ducks defeat the San Jose Sharks in regulation.
With the regular season winding down, every game carries significant weight as teams battle for playoff positioning.