Sabres, Hurricanes, and Wild Eye Playoff Clinching

NHL teams look to secure postseason berths in busy Thursday slate

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:25pm

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The Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Minnesota Wild all have a chance to clinch playoff spots on Thursday as part of a packed 14-game NHL schedule. The three teams have been among the top performers in their respective divisions this season and are on the verge of securing their place in the upcoming postseason.

Why it matters

Clinching a playoff berth is a major milestone for any NHL team, as it guarantees them a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. For the Sabres, Hurricanes, and Wild, securing their spots early would allow them to focus on positioning themselves for deep playoff runs in the coming weeks.

The details

The Sabres can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The Hurricanes can do the same with a victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Wild need a win over the Colorado Avalanche to punch their ticket to the postseason.

  • The NHL regular season schedule features 14 games on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • The Sabres, Hurricanes, and Wild all have the opportunity to clinch playoff berths on this date.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

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

Carolina Hurricanes

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

Minnesota Wild

An NHL team based in St. Paul, Minnesota that competes in the Central Division.

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What’s next

If the Sabres, Hurricanes, and Wild all clinch playoff spots on Thursday, their focus will shift to securing the best possible seeding in their respective divisions and conferences ahead of the postseason.

The takeaway

The race for the NHL playoffs is heating up, and Thursday's action could see three more teams punch their tickets to the coveted postseason. The Sabres, Hurricanes, and Wild have all had strong seasons and are on the verge of achieving their goal of reaching the playoffs.