NHL Playoff Races Heat Up as Season Winds Down

Bruins, Senators, Oilers, and Golden Knights on the verge of clinching postseason berths

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:53am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking an NHL playoff game or match down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color and shape, capturing the intensity and unpredictability of the final stretch of the regular season.The complex and nuanced NHL playoff race is captured in a cubist, geometric deconstruction of the action on the ice.Boston Today

With just six days left in the NHL regular season, the race for playoff spots and seeding is intensifying. The Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights are all on the cusp of securing their places in the postseason, while the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars are also in the mix. The Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, are fighting for home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round.

Why it matters

The final stretch of the NHL regular season is a crucial time, as playoff spots and seeding are often decided by a handful of games and points. This makes every game important, with teams fighting to secure their place in the postseason and jockey for favorable matchups.

The details

The Bruins and Golden Knights are two teams to watch closely. The Bruins have been inconsistent lately but have the talent to turn things around, while the Golden Knights have been on a roll under coach John Tortorella and could be a force in the playoffs. The Oilers and Golden Knights are also vying for first place in the Pacific Division, with Connor McDavid looking to win his sixth scoring title. The Ducks and Stars are also in the mix, while the Lightning and Canadiens are battling for home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round.

  • With just six days left in the regular season, the playoff race is intensifying.
  • The Oilers hold the regulation-wins tiebreaker over the Golden Knights and Ducks.

The players

Boston Bruins

An NHL team that is on the cusp of securing a playoff spot.

Ottawa Senators

An NHL team that is on the cusp of securing a playoff spot.

Edmonton Oilers

An NHL team that is on the cusp of securing a playoff spot, led by Connor McDavid who is looking to win his sixth scoring title.

Vegas Golden Knights

An NHL team that is on the cusp of securing a playoff spot, coached by John Tortorella and with a dynamic offense.

Anaheim Ducks

An NHL team that is also in the mix for a playoff spot.

Dallas Stars

An NHL team that is also in the mix for a playoff spot and home-ice advantage in the first round.

Tampa Bay Lightning

An NHL team that is fighting for home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round.

Montreal Canadiens

An NHL team that is fighting for home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round.

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What’s next

The final games of the regular season will determine the playoff seeding, with the top teams in each division and the next two highest-place finishers in each conference reaching the playoffs.

The takeaway

The NHL's playoff format is incredibly complex and nuanced, with the top teams in the league separated by just a few points. This makes the final stretch of the regular season a thrilling time for fans, as every game can have a significant impact on the playoff picture and teams' chances of making a run at the Stanley Cup.