Stanley Cup Playoffs Clinching Scenarios for April 14

Key matchups and outcomes that could lock in playoff spots in the Eastern and Western Conferences

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice broken down into abstract shapes and angles, the puck as the central focus.The final day of the NHL regular season sees teams battling for the last playoff spots, with first-round matchups hanging in the balance.Boston Today

The NHL has released the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 14, with several teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences having the opportunity to secure playoff spots and first-round matchups on the final day of the regular season.

Why it matters

The final day of the NHL regular season is always filled with high drama as teams fight for the last remaining playoff spots and positioning. These clinching scenarios will determine the first-round playoff matchups in both conferences, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins can clinch a Wild Card spot and a first-round matchup with the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres with a win over the New Jersey Devils. That would also lock in the Ottawa Senators as the other Wild Card team, setting up a first-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning can secure home-ice advantage in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens if the Canadiens lose to the Philadelphia Flyers in regulation. In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights can clinch home-ice in the first round if the Anaheim Ducks lose to the Minnesota Wild, while the Utah Mammoth can secure a Wild Card spot if they beat the Winnipeg Jets and either the Ducks lose in regulation or the Los Angeles Kings lose to the Vancouver Canucks.

  • The Boston Bruins play the New Jersey Devils at 7 p.m. ET.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning play the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET.
  • The Anaheim Ducks play the Minnesota Wild at 8 p.m. ET.
  • The Utah Mammoth play the Winnipeg Jets at 9 p.m. ET.
  • The Los Angeles Kings play the Vancouver Canucks at 10 p.m. ET.

The players

Boston Bruins

An NHL team based in Boston, Massachusetts that competes in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL team based in Buffalo, New York that competes in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Ottawa Senators

An NHL team based in Ottawa, Ontario that competes in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Carolina Hurricanes

An NHL team based in Raleigh, North Carolina that competes in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay Lightning

An NHL team based in Tampa, Florida that competes in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Canadiens

An NHL team based in Montreal, Quebec that competes in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Vegas Golden Knights

An NHL team based in Paradise, Nevada that competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

Anaheim Ducks

An NHL team based in Anaheim, California that competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

Minnesota Wild

An NHL team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota that competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

Utah Mammoth

An NHL team based in Salt Lake City, Utah that competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

Winnipeg Jets

An NHL team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Kings

An NHL team based in Los Angeles, California that competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

Vancouver Canucks

An NHL team based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The final day of the NHL regular season will see several teams clinch playoff spots and first-round matchups, setting the stage for an exciting Stanley Cup Playoffs. The scenarios highlight the high stakes and drama of the season's final games as teams fight for the last remaining postseason berths.