NHL · 2026–27 season
NHL Playoff Picture
The matchups if the playoffs started today, plus wild-card standings and projected qualifying positions.
Data checked Oct 11, 2026, 7:05 PM MDT · based on completed games in this snapshot.
Eastern Conference
If the playoffs started today
Based on current standings only — not a prediction of the final field. Winners within each group meet in Round 2.
Metropolitan path
Washington CapitalsWC2 · 3-2-0 · 6 pts
Pittsburgh PenguinsMetropolitan 3 · 3-2-1 · 7 pts
Round 2: Winner of NYR–WSH vs winner of CAR–PIT
Atlantic path
Toronto Maple LeafsWC1 · 3-2-1 · 7 pts
Boston BruinsAtlantic 3 · 4-2-0 · 8 pts
Round 2: Winner of TBL–TOR vs winner of OTT–BOS
Conference Final: winners of the two Eastern paths.
Wild-card race
Division top three
Tampa Bay LightningAtlantic 1 · 8 pts
Ottawa SenatorsAtlantic 2 · 8 pts- Boston BruinsAtlantic 3 · 8 pts
New York RangersMetropolitan 1 · 10 pts
Carolina HurricanesMetropolitan 2 · 9 pts- Pittsburgh PenguinsMetropolitan 3 · 7 pts
Gap is measured against WC2. Playoff % includes qualification through either the division or a wild card.
| Team | GP | PTS | GapGap to WC2 | Playoff %Make playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TORToronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 7 | WC1 | 51% |
| WSHWashington Capitals | 5 | 6 | WC2 | 53% |
| Playoff line | ||||
 FLAFlorida Panthers | 5 | 6 | Level, behind on tiebreak | 52% |
 MTLMontreal Canadiens | 5 | 5 | 1 pt back | 46% |
 NJDNew Jersey Devils | 4 | 4 | 2 pts back | 48% |
 CBJColumbus Blue Jackets | 4 | 4 | 2 pts back | 47% |
 NYINew York Islanders | 5 | 4 | 2 pts back | 43% |
 BUFBuffalo Sabres | 5 | 4 | 2 pts back | 42% |
 DETDetroit Red Wings | 5 | 3 | 3 pts back | 37% |
 PHIPhiladelphia Flyers | 6 | 2 | 4 pts back | 29% |
Points gaps are today's distance to WC2, not a magic number or a guaranteed target. "Make playoffs" includes qualifying through the division.
Projected qualifying positions
End-of-season Coin Flip estimates from simulated seasons — separate from the bracket above. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are division finishes.
Atlantic Division
Metropolitan Division
The six outcomes are exclusive and add to 100% before rounding. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Western Conference
If the playoffs started today
Based on current standings only — not a prediction of the final field. Winners within each group meet in Round 2.
Pacific path
Colorado AvalancheWC2 · 3-2-0 · 6 pts
Anaheim DucksPacific 3 · 4-1-0 · 8 pts
Round 2: Winner of VGK–COL vs winner of EDM–ANA
Central path
Utah MammothCentral 1 · 4-2-0 · 8 pts
Winnipeg JetsCentral 3 · 3-1-1 · 7 pts
Round 2: Winner of SEA–UTA vs winner of MIN–WPG
Conference Final: winners of the two Western paths.
Wild-card race
Division top three
- Utah MammothCentral 1 · 8 pts
Minnesota WildCentral 2 · 7 pts- Winnipeg JetsCentral 3 · 7 pts
Vegas Golden KnightsPacific 1 · 10 pts
Edmonton OilersPacific 2 · 9 pts- Anaheim DucksPacific 3 · 8 pts
Gap is measured against WC2. Playoff % includes qualification through either the division or a wild card.
| Team | GP | PTS | GapGap to WC2 | Playoff %Make playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 SEASeattle Kraken | 6 | 8 | WC1 | 57% |
| COLColorado Avalanche | 5 | 6 | WC2 | 53% |
| Playoff line | ||||
 NSHNashville Predators | 5 | 6 | Level, behind on tiebreak | 53% |
 SJSSan Jose Sharks | 5 | 6 | Level, behind on tiebreak | 51% |
 DALDallas Stars | 5 | 5 | 1 pt back | 47% |
 STLSt. Louis Blues | 5 | 5 | 1 pt back | 48% |
 VANVancouver Canucks | 7 | 4 | 2 pts back | 32% |
 LAKLos Angeles Kings | 4 | 2 | 4 pts back | 39% |
 CHIChicago Blackhawks | 6 | 2 | 4 pts back | 29% |
 CGYCalgary Flames | 5 | 0 | 6 pts back | 25% |
Points gaps are today's distance to WC2, not a magic number or a guaranteed target. "Make playoffs" includes qualifying through the division.
Projected qualifying positions
End-of-season Coin Flip estimates from simulated seasons — separate from the bracket above. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are division finishes.
Central Division
Pacific Division
The six outcomes are exclusive and add to 100% before rounding. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
How the format works
The top three teams in each division qualify, plus two wild cards per conference: the next two teams by points, from either division. The higher-ranked division winner plays WC2 and the other division winner plays WC1; second and third in each division play each other. The bracket is fixed, so winners within each division path meet in Round 2.
The bracket reflects today's standings. The projected positions come from 20,000 simulated seasons where every remaining game is a 50/50 toss-up, with overtime and shootout points included. How the odds work.
Currently holding a qualifying position does not mean a team has clinched.
FAQ
Who is in the NHL playoffs right now?
If the playoffs started with the standings checked Oct 11, 2026, 7:05 PM MDT, these teams would qualify. Eastern: New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins. Western: Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, Utah Mammoth, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets. Being in a qualifying position today does not mean a team has clinched a spot.
How do NHL wild cards work?
The top three teams in each division qualify. In each conference, the next two teams by points, regardless of division, take the two wild-card spots (WC1 and WC2). Ties are broken with the NHL's official tiebreakers.
Are these the predicted final playoff matchups?
No. The bracket shows who would play whom if the season ended today. The projected qualifying positions further down are separate end-of-season estimates from simulated seasons.
Who gets home-ice advantage?
In each series, the team with the better regular-season record has home ice. Here that is the team ranked higher in the official conference standings.