2026 NHL Playoffs Picture With the Latest on Tight Races, Standings, and Contenders

The 2026 NHL playoff race is coming down to the wire, with teams in a Wild Card spot changing by the day in the last few weeks of the regular season. If you've taken a post-Olympic break from hockey,

Avalanche vs. Stars: The NHL's best teams could meet early in the playoffs

Altitude Sports Radio's DMac said two of the NHL's best teams — the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars — could meet in the second round of the playoffs.

Ilya Sorokin shines against Stars to give the playoff-chasing Islanders a much-needed 2-1 win

NEW YORK (AP) — Ilya Sorokin gave the New York Islanders the type of elite goaltending they needed facing one of the NHL's top teams while in the thick of a playoff chase, making 26 saves to beat the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Thursday night.

NHL Power Rankings: Senators, Predators making last-minute Stanley Cup Playoff surges

Ottawa and Nashville are disrupting the playoff party at the last second

Updated NHL Playoff Picture 2026, Standings and Bracket Outlook

The final push of the NHL regular season carries all sorts of playoff intrigue in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

NHL playoff watch: Who's winning the Presidents' Trophy?

Here's how the race for the top overall seed looks. Plus, updated playoff projections, draft lottery standings.

Wild’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs

The Wild have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2015, and need to avoid this nightmare to advance this year.

Avalanche’s dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL playoffs

The Avalanche will likely win the President's Trophy, which should set them up well heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL playoff standings: How will the Pacific Division finish?

All eight clubs are in action Thursday, with postseason spots still up for grabs.