NHL.com provides a daily portrait of the Stanley Cup playoff race for the 2025-26 season.
There are 17 days left in the regular season, and the various races in the four sections are very close. The first three teams in each section will take part in the spring tournament, as will the holders of the two fourth ace places in each association.
So take the time to consult the rankings and take note of all the elements that could have an impact on the race for the series.
Clashes to watch
There are ten games on Tuesday, and they all have a direct impact on the playoff race.
Canadiens de Montréal vs Lightning de Tampa Bay (19 h HE; The Spot, TSN2, RDS)
The Lightning (42-21-10) have collected at least one point in their last eight games (6-0-2) to regain first place in the section, with the same number of points as the Buffalo Sabres, but a game in hand. Jake Guentzel has scored in each of his last four games (four goals, four assists), including a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
The Canadiens (42-21-10) have won their last five games and could move within two points of the Lightning and Sabers with a victory. The Habs are also trying to get away from the Boston Bruins, who are two points behind in the Atlantic section, and who occupy the first fourth place in the Eastern Association having played one more game than the Canadiens.
Montreal will, however, have to make do without the services of defender Alexandre Carrier, who will be out for two to four weeks due to an upper body injury. Adam Engstrom was recalled from Laval to the AHL and could be in uniform against Tampa Bay.
For the Lightning, defenseman Victor Hedman left the team’s entourage for personal reasons and missed his team’s last six games, while Nikita Kucherov missed Tampa Bay’s last two games due to illness, but should be back in action against Montreal.
Stars de Dallas vs Bruins de Boston (19 h HE; FOX4, Victory+, NESN, SN360)
The Bruins (42-24-8) have won three in a row and five in their last six games (5-1-0), including a 4-3 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. This victory allowed Boston to move away to four points from Columbus in first place of fourth ace in the East. The Stars (44-18-12) have already secured their place in the playoffs. They have lost five of their last six games (1-3-2), but can move closer to the Colorado Avalanche and the top of the Central Division by winning in this fourth and final stop of a four-game road trip. Dallas ranks second in the Central Division and the overall NHL standings, eight points behind Colorado.
Islanders de New York vs Sabres de Buffalo (19 h HE; MSGSN2, MSG-B)
The Islanders (42-28-5) fell to third place in the Metropolitan Division following an 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. New York is now one point behind Pittsburgh for second place in the section, and Pittsburgh has a game in hand. The Sabers (45-21-8) are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes and share first place in the Atlantic Division with the Lightning, four points ahead of the Canadiens.
Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, TSN5, RDS2)
The Senators (38-25-10) have at least one point in five of their last six games (4-1-1), but have lost their last two games (0-1-1) and find themselves two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card spot in the East, but with a game in hand. The Panthers have lost their last three games and six of their last eight (2-6-0) after losing 3-1 to the New York Rangers on Sunday. They are 15 points out of a playoff spot.
Devils du New Jersey vs Rangers de New York (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, MSG 2)
New Jersey (38-33-2) is coming off a 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and is 10 points behind the Blue Jackets and the second fourth place in the East. The Rangers (30-35-9) are already eliminated from the race for a playoff spot.
Red Wings de Detroit vs Penguins de Pittsburgh (19 h HE; FDSNDET, SN-PIT)
The Penguins (37-21-16) will look to increase their priority to second place in the Metropolitan Division. After their 8-3 win over the Islanders on Monday, their second victory in three games, they have a one-point lead over New York with a game in hand. The Red Wings (39-26-8) have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0), and their last three games at home. They have the same number of points (86) as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Senators, two points behind the Blue Jackets and the second place of fourth ace in the East.
Flyers de Philadelphie vs Capitals de Washington (19 h HE; MNMT, NBCSP)
The Flyers (37-24-12) are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, which has allowed them to move within two points of the Blue Jackets and the second wild card spot in the East. They are also trying to maintain their lead over the Capitals (37-28-9), who are three points behind Philadelphia and five points behind Columbus. Washington has collected at least one point in seven of its last eight duels (5-1-2), and has won its last two games. Alex Ovechkin needs a goal to become the fourth player in NHL history to score 30 times in a season at age 40 or older, joining Gordie Howe (44 in 1968-69, 31 in 1969-70), Johnny Bucyk (36 in 1975-76) and Teemu Selanne (31 in 2010-11). Porter Martone, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft, will play his first career NHL game for the Flyers. The 19-year-old forward signed his three-year rookie contract Sunday following his collegiate season with Michigan State, which ended with a 4-3 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament regional final. He led Michigan State with 25 goals and 50 points in 35 games in his first season in the league.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+)
The Blue Jackets (38-24-12) have suffered three losses in a row (0-2-1) and are looking to hang on to the second fourth place in the East. They have a two-point lead over the Senators, Red Wings and Flyers, who all have a game in hand. Columbus is four points behind the Bruins and has first place in the fourth ace. The Hurricanes (46-21-6) lead the Metropolitan Division and are tied with the Lightning and Sabers for first place in the Eastern Conference (98). The Hurricanes can reach the 100-point plateau for the fifth time in franchise history with a win. Carolina lost its second game in three outings, losing 3-1 to the Canadiens on Sunday.
Winnipeg Jets vs Chicago Blackhawks (8.30pm HE; CHSN, TSN3)
The Jets (31-30-12) have won three of their last four games to move within three points of the Nashville Predators and the second wild card spot in the Western Conference with a game in hand. The Blackhawks have suffered three losses in a row, and five in their last six games (1-4-1) to find themselves 10 points behind the Predators.
Seattle Kraken vs Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. HE; SNW, KONG, KHN/Prime)
The Oilers (37-28-9) are four points behind the Anaheim Ducks and first place in the Pacific Division. Edmonton has won its last three games, led by Connor McDavid, who has scored in his last four games (five goals, four assists). He is the NHL leader with 124 points (42 goals, 82 assists) in 74 games. Bobby McMann has scored in his last three games for the Kraken (32-29-11), who have lost five of their last six games to fall two points behind the Predators and the second wild card spot in the West, but with two games in hand.
If the series started today
Here’s a look at the first-round matchups if the playoffs begin before Tuesday’s games.
Western Association
(1P) Anaheim Ducks vs (QA1) Utah Mammoth
(2P) Oilers d’Edmonton vs (3P) Golden Knights de Vegas
(1C) Avalanche du Colorado vs (QA2) Predators de Nashville
(2C) Stars de Dallas vs (3C) Wild du Minnesota
Eastern Association
(1A) Lightning de Tampa Bay vs (QA2) Blue Jackets de Columbus
(2A) Buffalo Sabers vs (3A) Montreal Canadiens
(1M) Carolina Hurricanes vs (QA1) Boston Bruins
(2M) Penguins de Pittsburgh vs (3M) Islanders de New York
About last night
There were five meetings scheduled for Monday. Check out our roundup of the March 30 matches to find out the different implications related to the series.
