EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFor two straight seasons, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have met in the Western Conference finals, with the Oilers winning both matchups.Are these teams headed on yet another collision course at the penultimate stage of the postseason? And will the third time be the charm for the Stars?Before we get too far down the road, the Stars are hosting the Oilers for a Thursday night clash (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu) -- one of 14 games on the schedule! (Get multiple devices with multiview ready to roll, apparently!)So far, the Stars have been the dominant team in this matchup, winning both games in 2025-26: a 4-3 shootout win in Dallas on Nov. 4 and an 8-3 demolition in Edmonton on Nov. 25.The teams are obviously different now, and this will be quite the test for both as the postseason approaches.Dallas is the No. 2 team in the Central Division, matched up as of now with the Minnesota Wild in the first round. If Dallas wins that series, it will take on the winner of the Colorado Avalanche vs. (likely) the second wild card.Edmonton and the Vegas Golden Knights are currently matched up in the Pacific Division bracket, and a win in that series gets the Oilers a showdown against the winner of the Anaheim Ducks vs. the other wild card team.If all that comes up victoriously for both clubs, it's Stars-Oilers III for the title of best in the West. As of now, Stathletes projects the Avalanche as having the highest chances of reaching the Western Conference finals (43.0%), trailed by the Oilers (37.6%), Wild (31.3%), Golden Knights (23.0%), Utah Mammoth (22.9%), then the Stars (15.9%).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 details 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 matchupsThursday's scheduleWednesday'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 KnightsThursday's gamesNote: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).San Jose Sharks at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.Columbus Blue Jackets at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.Calgary Flames at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.St. Louis Blues at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)Philadelphia Flyers at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.Chicago Blackhawks at Utah Mammoth, 9 p.m.Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.Colorado Avalanche at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.Wednesday's scoreboardMontreal Canadiens 3, Ottawa Senators 2Philadelphia Flyers 4, Washington Capitals 1Expanded standingsAtlantic DivisionBuffalo SabresPoints: 86Regulation wins: 34Playoff position: A1Games left: 17Points pace: 108.5Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.7%Tragic number: N/ATampa Bay LightningPoints: 82Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: A2Games left: 19Points pace: 106.7Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.8%Tragic number: N/AMontreal CanadiensPoints: 82Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: A3Games left: 18Points pace: 105.1Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 89.1%Tragic number: N/ADetroit Red WingsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: WC1Games left: 17Points pace: 99.7Next game: @ TB (Thursday)Playoff chances: 43.6%Tragic number: N/ABoston BruinsPoints: 78Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: WC2Games left: 18Points pace: 99.9Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 73.9%Tragic number: N/AOttawa SenatorsPoints: 73Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 93.5Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 66%Tragic number: 31Florida PanthersPoints: 67Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 85.8Next game: vs. CBJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 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: 57.2%Tragic number: N/ANew York IslandersPoints: 79Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: M3Games left: 17Points pace: 99.7Next game: vs. LA (Friday)Playoff chances: 71.8%Tragic number: N/AColumbus Blue JacketsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 97.4Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 78.3%Tragic number: 34Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 71Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 91.0Next game: @ MIN (Thursday)Playoff chances: 3.4%Tragic number: 29Washington CapitalsPoints: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 16Points pace: 88.2Next game: @ BUF (Thursday)Playoff chances: 13.7%Tragic number: 25New Jersey DevilsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 84.6Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday)Playoff chances: 2.5%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: 96.3%Tragic number: N/ANashville PredatorsPoints: 66Regulation wins: 22Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 84.6Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)Playoff chances: 12.8%Tragic number: 35Winnipeg JetsPoints: 62Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 19Points pace: 80.7Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 5.9%Tragic number: 33St. Louis BluesPoints: 60Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 76.9Next game: @ CAR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0.9%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: 99%Tragic number: N/AEdmonton OilersPoints: 72Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: P2Games left: 17Points pace: 90.8Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 93.8%Tragic number: N/AVegas Golden KnightsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: P3Games left: 17Points pace: 90.8Next game: vs. PIT (Thursday)Playoff chances: 96%Tragic number: N/ASeattle KrakenPoints: 67Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: WC2Games left: 19Points pace: 87.2Next game: vs. COL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 15%Tragic number: N/ALos Angeles KingsPoints: 67Regulation wins: 16Playoff position: N/AGames left: 18Points pace: 85.8Next game: @ NYI (Friday)Playoff chances: 19%Tragic number: 36San Jose SharksPoints: 66Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 20Points pace: 87.3Next game: @ BOS (Thursday)Playoff chances: 61.1%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. 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. Washington CapitalsPoints: 71Regulation wins: 2714. Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 71Regulation wins: 2015. 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.
