EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Buffalo Sabres have the NHL's longest postseason drought, with the club last appearing in a postseason game in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.It appears that Buffalo will not only make the playoffs this season -- the Sabres might go in as one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference.The NHL's second-longest postseason drought belongs to the Detroit Red Wings, whose last appearance was in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. Will their playoff-less streak also end in 2026?Coincidentally, the two teams meet Friday (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network) for the final time this season. Given the current standings, one of the two teams needs a win a bit more than the other.The Red Wings enter the game with 84 points and 27 regulation wins through 71 games. That puts them one point and five RW behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card, as well as four points and two RW behind the Boston Bruins for the first.Detroit does not have any games remaining against Ottawa or Boston, so the Red Wings can't directly beat the teams they are chasing.Of the Red Wings' final 10 games, just four are against teams currently in the playoffs; oddly, three of the remaining 10 are against the Philadelphia Flyers, who are also on the playoff bubble.How does that compare with the teams Detroit is chasing? Ottawa has 10 games remaining, including five against current playoff teams, while Boston's final 10 games include seven games against teams in playoff position.Stathletes gives the Red Wings a 34.7% chance of qualifying for a playoff spot, which trails the Senators (79.7%) and Bruins (66.9%).Every team has around 10 games remaining before the regular 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 matchupsToday's scheduleLast night's scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 pickCurrent playoff matchupsEastern ConferenceA1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston BruinsA2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal CanadiensM1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 New York IslandersM2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue JacketsWestern ConferenceC1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville PredatorsC2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota WildP1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah MammothP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden KnightsToday's gamesNote: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHLN)Chicago Blackhawks at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.Last night's scoreboardMontreal Canadiens 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (SO)Seattle Kraken 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)Minnesota Wild 3, Florida Panthers 2New York Islanders 2, Dallas Stars 1Philadelphia Flyers 5, Chicago Blackhawks 1St. Louis Blues 2, San Jose Sharks 1 (OT)New Jersey Devils 4, Nashville Predators 2Colorado Avalanche 3, Winnipeg Jets 2Washington Capitals 7, Utah Mammoth 4Anaheim Ducks 3, Calgary Flames 2 (OT)Edmonton Oilers 5, Vegas Golden Knights 3 (OT)Los Angeles Kings 4, Vancouver Canucks 0Expanded standingsAtlantic DivisionBuffalo SabresPoints: 96Regulation wins: 37Playoff position: A1Games left: 10Points pace: 109.3Next game: vs. DET (Friday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Magic number: 10Tragic number: N/ATampa Bay LightningPoints: 94Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: A2Games left: 11Points pace: 108.6Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Magic number: 12Tragic number: N/AMontreal CanadiensPoints: 90Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: A3Games left: 11Points pace: 103.9Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)Playoff chances: 93%Magic number: 16Tragic number: N/ABoston BruinsPoints: 88Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: WC1Games left: 10Points pace: 100.2Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)Playoff chances: 66.9%Magic number: 18Tragic number: N/AOttawa SenatorsPoints: 86Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 97.9Next game: @ TB (Saturday)Playoff chances: 79.7%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 19Detroit Red WingsPoints: 84Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 97.0Next game: @ BUF (Friday)Playoff chances: 34.7%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 19Toronto Maple LeafsPoints: 75Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 84.3Next game: @ STL (Saturday)Playoff chances: ~0%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 6Florida PanthersPoints: 73Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 84.3Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 8Metro DivisionCarolina HurricanesPoints: 96Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: M1Games left: 11Points pace: 110.9Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Magic number: 10Tragic number: N/APittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 88Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: M2Games left: 10Points pace: 100.2Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 80%Magic number: 18Tragic number: N/AColumbus Blue JacketsPoints: 87Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: M3Games left: 10Points pace: 99.1Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 91.7%Magic number: 19Tragic number: N/ANew York IslandersPoints: 87Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: WC2Games left: 9Points pace: 97.7Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 43.7%Magic number: 19Tragic number: N/APhiladelphia FlyersPoints: 82Regulation wins: 22Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 94.7Next game: @ DET (Saturday)Playoff chances: 7.1%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 17Washington CapitalsPoints: 81Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 91.0Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)Playoff chances: 3%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 12New Jersey DevilsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 87.8Next game: @ CAR (SaturdayPlayoff chances: 0.3%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 11e - New York RangersPoints: 65Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 74.0Next game: vs. CHI (Friday)Playoff chances: 0%Magic number: N/ATragic number: OUTCentral Divisionx - Colorado AvalanchePoints: 106Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: C1Games left: 11Points pace: 122.4Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Magic number: INTragic number: N/Ax - Dallas StarsPoints: 97Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: C2Games left: 10Points pace: 110.5Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Magic number: INTragic number: N/AMinnesota WildPoints: 94Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: C3Games left: 9Points pace: 105.6Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Magic number: 2Tragic number: N/AUtah MammothPoints: 80Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: WC1Games left: 9Points pace: 89.9Next game: @ LA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 98%Magic number: 16Tragic number: N/ANashville PredatorsPoints: 77Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: WC2Games left: 10Points pace: 88.0Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 46.9%Magic number: 19Tragic number: N/AWinnipeg JetsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 82.0Next game: @ COL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 5.1%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 15St. Louis BluesPoints: 71Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 82.0Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)Playoff chances: 7.8%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 16Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 67Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 76.3Next game: @ NYR (Friday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 10Pacific DivisionAnaheim DucksPoints: 86Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: P1Games left: 10Points pace: 97.9Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Magic number: 10Tragic number: N/AEdmonton OilersPoints: 81Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: P2Games left: 9Points pace: 91.0Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 88.4%Magic number: 15Tragic number: N/AVegas Golden KnightsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: P3Games left: 9Points pace: 88.7Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)Playoff chances: 97.9%Magic number: 17Tragic number: N/ALos Angeles KingsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 86.6Next game: vs. UTA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 36.7%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 19Seattle KrakenPoints: 74Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 85.5Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)Playoff chances: 2.3%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 19San Jose SharksPoints: 71Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 83.2Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 16.9%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 18Calgary FlamesPoints: 68Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 77.4Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Magic number: N/ATragic number: 11e - Vancouver CanucksPoints: 50Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 57.8Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Magic number: N/ATragic number: OUTNote: An "x" with a team's name means the club has clinched a playoff spot. An "e" means that the club has been mathematically eliminated.Race 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: 50Regulation wins: 142. New York RangersPoints: 65Regulation wins: 193. Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 67Regulation wins: 204. Calgary FlamesPoints: 68Regulation wins: 235. St. Louis BluesPoints: 71Regulation wins: 266. San Jose SharksPoints: 71Regulation wins: 207. Winnipeg JetsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 248. Florida PanthersPoints: 73Regulation wins: 279. Seattle KrakenPoints: 74Regulation wins: 2510. Toronto Maple Leafs*Points: 75Regulation wins: 2311. Los Angeles KingsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 1912. New Jersey DevilsPoints: 76Regulation wins: 2513. Washington CapitalsPoints: 81Regulation wins: 3114. Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 82Regulation wins: 2215. Detroit Red WingsPoints: 84Regulation wins: 2716. Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 86Regulation wins: 32*Note: The Maple Leafs' pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
