EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIn Tuesday's edition of the NHL playoff watch, we looked at the race for the two Western wild-card spots in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.With just two games on the docket on Wednesday -- but all four teams mathematically in the mix for a wild card -- let's shift our focus back East.After Tuesday's monstrous, 13-game slate, the two Eastern wild-card tickets belong to the Detroit Red Wings (79 points through 65 games) and Boston Bruins (78 through 64).The Montreal Canadiens (just a point ahead of the Red Wings) are in action on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+); the Sens have 73 points through 63 games. While that game is proceeding, the Washington Capitals (71 points through 65 games) and Philadelphia Flyers (69 through 63) will be facing off in Philly (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). In between the Sens and the two current wild cards are the Columbus Blue Jackets, with 74 points through 63 games.Which teams have the edge in terms of best remaining schedule beyond Wednesday?The Red Wings have 17 additional games, eight of which are against current playoff teamsThe Bruins also have 18 games left, with eight against playoff clubsThe Blue Jackets are another team with 18 games left, including 11 games against teams currently in a postseason spotThe Senators have 18 games beyond Wednesday, 10 of which are against teams in playoff position The Capitals will have just 16 games left, with eight against playoff teamsThe Flyers will also have 18 games remaining, with 10 of them against playoff clubsAccording to Stathletes, the Canadiens have the best overall playoff chances of the bunch (84.2%), followed by the Bruins (71.8%), Senators (68%), Blue Jackets (65.9%), Capitals (18%) and Flyers (5.7%). Notably, those first four have better projected chances than three teams currently holding down playoff spots: the Pittsburgh Penguins (65.7%), New York Islanders (61.3%) and Detroit Red Wings (51.7%). It would appear that we're going to get an exciting final stretch to the season!Every team has fewer than 20 games left before the season concludes April 16, and we'll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide detail on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.Jump ahead:Current playoff matchupsWednesday's scheduleTuesday's scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 pickCurrent playoff matchupsEastern ConferenceA1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Detroit Red WingsA2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal CanadiensM1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Boston BruinsM2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York IslandersWestern ConferenceC1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Seattle KrakenC2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota WildP1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah MammothP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden KnightsWednesday's gamesNote: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m.Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)Tuesday's scoreboardBoston Bruins 2, Los Angeles Kings 1 (OT)Buffalo Sabres 6, San Jose Sharks 3Montreal Canadiens 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 2Florida Panthers 4, Detroit Red Wings 3New York Rangers 4, Calgary Flames 0Carolina Hurricanes 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (SO)New York Islanders 4, St. Louis Blues 3 (OT)Dallas Stars 2, Vegas Golden Knights 1Minnesota Wild 5, Utah Mammoth 0Anaheim Ducks 4, Winnipeg Jets 1Edmonton Oilers 4, Colorado Avalanche 3Nashville Predators 4, Seattle Kraken 2Expanded standingsAtlantic DivisionBuffalo SabresPoints: 86Regulation wins: 34Playoff position: A1Games left: 17Points pace: 108.5Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.5%Tragic number: N/ATampa Bay LightningPoints: 82Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: A2Games left: 19Points pace: 106.7Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AMontreal CanadiensPoints: 80Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: A3Games left: 19Points pace: 104.1Next game: @ OTT (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 84.2%Tragic number: N/ADetroit Red WingsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: WC1Games left: 17Points pace: 99.7Next game: @ TB (Thursday)Playoff chances: 51.7%Tragic number: N/ABoston BruinsPoints: 78Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: WC2Games left: 18Points pace: 99.9Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 71.8%Tragic number: N/AOttawa SenatorsPoints: 73Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: N/AGames left: 19Points pace: 95.0Next game: vs. MTL (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 68%Tragic number: 33Florida PanthersPoints: 67Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 85.8Next game: vs. CBJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 4.1%Tragic number: 25Toronto Maple LeafsPoints: 65Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 17Points pace: 82Next game: vs. ANA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 21Metro DivisionCarolina HurricanesPoints: 88Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: M1Games left: 18Points pace: 112.8Next game: vs. STL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/APittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: M2Games left: 18Points pace: 101.2Next game: @ VGK (Thursday)Playoff chances: 65.7%Tragic number: N/ANew York IslandersPoints: 79Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: M3Games left: 17Points pace: 99.7Next game: vs. LA (Friday)Playoff chances: 61.3%Tragic number: N/AColumbus Blue JacketsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 97.4Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 65.9%Tragic number: 34Washington CapitalsPoints: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 17Points pace: 89.6Next game: @ PHI (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 18%Tragic number: 27Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 69Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 19Points pace: 89.8Next game: vs. WSH (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 5.7%Tragic number: 29New Jersey DevilsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 84.6Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday)Playoff chances: 4.2%Tragic number: 24New York RangersPoints: 60Regulation wins: 17Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 76.9Next game: @ WPG (Thursday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 18Central DivisionColorado AvalanchePoints: 95Regulation wins: 38Playoff position: C1Games left: 19Points pace: 123.7Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/ADallas StarsPoints: 90Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: C2Games left: 18Points pace: 115.3Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AMinnesota WildPoints: 87Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: C3Games left: 17Points pace: 109.8Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AUtah MammothPoints: 73Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: WC1Games left: 17Points pace: 92.1Next game: vs. CHI (Thursday)Playoff chances: 98%Tragic number: N/ANashville PredatorsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 22Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 84.6Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)Playoff chances: 6.8%Tragic number: 35Winnipeg JetsPoints: 62Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 19Points pace: 80.7Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 10.4%Tragic number: 33St. Louis BluesPoints: 60Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 76.9Next game: @ CAR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 1.4%Tragic number: 29Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 59Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 75.6Next game: @ UTA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 28Pacific DivisionAnaheim DucksPoints: 75Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: P1Games left: 18Points pace: 96.1Next game: @ TOR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 96.5%Tragic number: N/AEdmonton OilersPoints: 72Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: P2Games left: 17Points pace: 90.8Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 84.3%Tragic number: N/AVegas Golden KnightsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: P3Games left: 17Points pace: 90.8Next game: vs. PIT (Thursday)Playoff chances: 96.1%Tragic number: N/ASeattle KrakenPoints: 67Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: WC2Games left: 19Points pace: 87.2Next game: vs. COL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 22.4%Tragic number: N/ALos Angeles KingsPoints: 67Regulation wins: 16Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 85.8Next game: @ NYI (Friday)Playoff chances: 12.9%Tragic number: 36San Jose SharksPoints: 66Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 20Points pace: 87.3Next game: @ BOS (Thursday)Playoff chances: 71.2%Tragic number: 39Calgary FlamesPoints: 57Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 73.0Next game: @ NJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 26Vancouver CanucksPoints: 46Regulation wins: 13Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 58.9Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 15Race for the No. 1 pickThe NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.1. Vancouver CanucksPoints: 46Regulation wins: 132. Calgary FlamesPoints: 57Regulation wins: 213. Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 59Regulation wins: 184. New York RangersPoints: 60Regulation wins: 175. St. Louis BluesPoints: 60Regulation wins: 236. Winnipeg JetsPoints: 62Regulation wins: 217. Toronto Maple Leafs*Points: 65Regulation wins: 198. Nashville PredatorsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 229. New Jersey DevilsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 2110. San Jose SharksPoints: 66Regulation wins: 1811. Florida PanthersPoints: 67Regulation wins: 2612. Los Angeles KingsPoints: 67Regulation wins: 1613. Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 69Regulation wins: 1914. Washington CapitalsPoints: 71Regulation wins: 2715. Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 73Regulation wins: 2616. Columbus Blue JacketsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 23*Note: The Maple Leafs' pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
