NHL playoff watch: Who is this year's bracket buster?

Will any of the projected wild cards make a run? Plus, full playoff projections, draft lottery standings, more.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NHL playoffs are one month away, and the race for the final wild-card spots in each conference is heating up. The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings currently hold the wild-card positions in the East, while the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks lead the way in the West. The Bruins, Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets all have a chance to make a Cinderella run, with the Blue Jackets having the best odds according to Stathletes. In the West, the team that earns the first wild-card spot could have an easier path as they would likely face the Pacific Division winner instead of the powerhouse Central Division teams.

Why it matters

The NHL playoffs are known for producing Cinderella stories, and this season is no different. The race for the final wild-card spots in each conference is wide open, with several teams having a chance to make an unexpected deep run. This could lead to some exciting first-round matchups and potentially shake up the Stanley Cup picture.

The details

The Boston Bruins currently hold the first wild-card spot in the East, and they have had mixed results against their potential first-round opponents. They are 2-1-0 against the Buffalo Sabres, 0-1-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and 1-1-0 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Detroit Red Wings hold the second wild-card spot, and they have losing records against Carolina (1-2-0), Buffalo (0-1-1), and Tampa Bay (1-2-0). The Columbus Blue Jackets, who are right behind the Red Wings, have a winning record against Buffalo (2-0-0) and Tampa Bay (3-0-0), but lost their only game against Carolina so far. In the West, the team that earns the first wild-card position would likely face the Pacific Division winner, which appears to be a significantly easier path than facing the Central Division powerhouses.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.