2026 NCAA men's hockey tournament bubble watch

With selection day right around the corner, we look at the top contenders for the 16-team bracket.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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With selection day for the NCAA men's hockey tournament about a month away, it's time to look at the contenders for the field of 16, from teams on the bubble to those playing for No. 1 seeds. Six automatic bids to the NCAA tournament will be awarded to the winners of the six conference tournaments, with championship games scheduled for March 20 and 21. Ten more teams will earn at-large spots determined by the NPI formula, which replaces the PairWise rankings this season.

Why it matters

Every game can impact the NPI rankings, which factor in strength of schedule, home/road splits and overtime results. Once the NCAA field is set, the four regional brackets will be announced March 22. Regional games will be played March 26-29; the sites are Albany, New York; Loveland, Colorado; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Worcester, Massachusetts. The Frozen Four will be held April 9 and 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The details

Six automatic bids to the NCAA tournament will be awarded to the winners of the six conference tournaments, with championship games scheduled for March 20 and 21. Ten more teams will earn at-large spots determined by the NPI formula, which replaces the PairWise rankings this season. Every game can impact the NPI rankings, which factor in strength of schedule, home/road splits and overtime results.

  • Selection day for the NCAA men's hockey tournament is about a month away.
  • Conference tournament championship games are scheduled for March 20 and 21.
  • The NCAA field will be announced on March 22.
  • Regional games will be played March 26-29.
  • The Frozen Four will be held April 9 and 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The players

Michigan State

The Spartans have been at or near the top of the rankings all season as the top team in the best conference in the country.

Michigan

The Wolverines are not far behind Michigan State as their counterpart in the always-rugged NCHC.

North Dakota

North Dakota is not far behind Michigan State and Michigan as their counterpart in the always-rugged NCHC.

Western Michigan

The defending national champions are 12-2 since Christmas, including wins over Boston College and Wisconsin.

Bentley

The 16th spot in the NCAA field most likely will be filled by the Atlantic Hockey champion, with Bentley closing in on the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament.

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The takeaway

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