EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWhether the Philadelphia Flyers make the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, there will be a number of positive takeaways from this season, particularly the play of new additions Dan Vladar and Trevor Zegras.But Flyers fans would certainly be a lot more happy if they do earn a spot in the postseason bracket.Can they still get there?Philly enters play Friday two points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card position in the East, three points behind the New York Islanders for the No. 3 seed in the Metro, and six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for No. 2. The good news is they skate against the Isles on Friday (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network); the bad news is this is the Flyers' final game against any of those teams.After Friday's matchup, Philly plays six more games, three of which are against current playoff teams (Boston, Carolina, Montreal), and one of which is against another wild-card contender, Detroit.It will be a tough road, and Stathletes gives the Flyers a 27.7% chance to pull it off, projecting them to finish with 94.8 points, 1.3 points behind the projected total of the wild-card winning Senators.Every team has eight or fewer 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 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. WC1 Boston BruinsA2 Buffalo Sabres vs. A3 Montreal CanadiensM1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Ottawa SenatorsM2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York IslandersWestern ConferenceC1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 San Jose SharksC2 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).Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. (NHLN)St. Louis Blues at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.Last night's scoreboardOttawa Senators 4, Buffalo Sabres 1Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3Florida Panthers 2, Boston Bruins 1Montreal Canadiens 3, New York Rangers 2Detroit Red Wings 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2Carolina Hurricanes 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 1New Jersey Devils 7, Washington Capitals 3Dallas Stars 3, Winnipeg Jets 0Minnesota Wild 5, Vancouver Canucks 2Edmonton Oilers 3, Chicago Blackhawks 1Vegas Golden Knights 6, Calgary Flames 3San Jose Sharks 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 1Utah Mammoth 6, Seattle Kraken 2Nashville Predators 5, Los Angeles Kings 4 (SO)Expanded standingsNote: 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. Teams clinch a playoff spot when their magic number reaches zero, and are mathematically eliminated when their tragic number reaches zero.Atlantic DivisionMetro DivisionCentral DivisionPacific DivisionRace 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.*Note: The Maple Leafs' pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
