Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Races stay tight on 6-game Sunday – NHL.com

Geese can clinch berth; Capitals, Islanders attempt to keep away from elimination
Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz, a each day take a look at the races for the 2026 NHL postseason.
There are 5 days left within the common season and the races for playoff spots and seeding are heating up. The highest three groups in every of the 4 divisions and the following two highest-place finishers in every convention attain the playoffs.
Here’s a take a look at the NHL standings and the whole lot else that would affect the playoff image.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The Anaheim Geese will clinch a playoff berth:
In the event that they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any vogue (8 p.m. ET; KTTV, Victory+, SNP).
There are six video games on the NHL schedule Sunday, all with playoff implications:
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (3 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, MNMT, truTV, TNT, SN360, TVAS)
The Metropolitan Division rivals play the second of a home-and-home set after the Capitals gained 6-3 on Saturday. Pittsburgh performed with out forwards Sidney Crosby (decrease physique), Evgeni Malkin (higher physique), Bryan Rust (decrease physique) and Ben Kindel (higher physique), and defensemen Erik Karlsson (decrease physique), Kris Letang (higher physique) and Parker Wotherspoon (higher physique). Every is taken into account day after day. If Crosby performs, it’s going to mark the a hundredth all-time assembly between the Penguins captain and Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. The latter hasn’t determined whether or not he’ll play past this season, so this may very well be the final probability to see the rivals go head-to-head. The Capitals (41-30-9) are 6-2-0 of their previous eight video games however can be eradicated from playoff competition with a regulation loss to the Penguins. They’re 5 factors behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card from the Jap Convention. The Penguins (41-23-16) are 5-2-0 of their previous seven and locked into second of their division.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders (6 p.m. ET; MSGSN, TSN2, RDS)
Nick Suzuki wants one level to grow to be the primary Canadiens participant to succeed in 100 in a season since Mats Naslund (110) in 1985-86. The Montreal captain (28 targets, 71 assists) would additionally prefer to see his workforce maintain tempo with the Tampa Bay Lightning for second within the Atlantic Division. Montreal (47-23-10) is third since Tampa Bay holds the regulation-wins tiebreaker (40-33). Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer wants one objective to cross Brian Leetch (23 in 1988-89) and set a brand new NHL document for probably the most in a season by a rookie on the place. The Islanders (43-32-5) can be eradicated from competition with both a regulation loss, or an time beyond regulation or shootout loss and if the Columbus Blue Jackets get at the very least one level towards the Boston Bruins and the Capitals get at the very least one level towards the Penguins, or if the Blue Jackets defeat the Bruins in any vogue and the Capitals defeat the Penguins in any vogue. New York has misplaced 5 of six and is sixth within the Metropolitan Division, three factors behind the third-place Philadelphia Flyers.
Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets (6 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, NHLN, NESN, SNW, SNO, SNE)
Defenseman Zach Werenski is one help from turning into the primary participant to succeed in 60 in a season for the Blue Jackets (40-28-12), who’re 3-6-1 of their previous 10 video games and stay two factors behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place within the Metropolitan. The Bruins (43-27-10) have clinched a playoff berth and look to finish a five-game slide (0-2-3). They maintain the second wild card from the East for the reason that Ottawa Senators maintain the regulation-wins tiebreaker (37-31).
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN2, TSN5, RDSI)
Tim Stutzle (83 factors; 34 targets, 49 assists) wants one help to grow to be the primary participant with 4 consecutive seasons of at the very least 50 for the Senators (43-27-10), who’ve certified for the playoffs and need to preserve the primary wild card within the East. They’re additionally 4 factors forward of the Blue Jackets. Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk is questionable after coach Travis Inexperienced stated the ahead wasn’t feeling nicely and never enjoying the ultimate 18:03 of the third interval in a 3-0 win on the Islanders on Saturday. The Devils (41-36-3) are eradicated from playoff competition.
Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Geese (8 p.m. ET; KTTV, Victory+, SNP)
The Geese (42-32-5) will clinch a playoff berth with a win in any vogue after a 6-1 win towards the San Jose Sharks on Saturday ended a six-game slide (0-5-1). Lukas Dostal wants one win to tie John Gibson (2017-18) and Man Hebert (1998-99) for the fifth-most wins (31) in a season by a Geese goalie, ahead Beckett Sennecke (60 factors; 23 targets, 37 assists) is 2 assists from tying the workforce document by a rookie in a single season and might set the franchise factors document in a season every held by Trevor Zegras (38 assists, 61 factors) in 2021-22. Anaheim is one level behind the second-place Edmonton Oilers and two behind the Vegas Golden Knights in first. The Canucks (23-48-8) have been eradicated from playoff competition and are 2-8-0 of their previous 10 video games.
Utah Mammoth at Calgary Flames (9 p.m. ET; SN, Utah16)
The Mammoth (42-31-6) have clinched a playoff berth and maintain the primary wild card from the Western Convention, three factors forward of the Los Angeles Kings. The Flames (32-38-9) are eradicated from postseason competition.
Dive in with all-new options: A reimagined Stats expertise, incorporating EDGE Superior Stats; “How To Watch” helps navigate your tune-in selections; Apple Dwell Activites to set-and-forget for as many groups as you need, plus a complete lot extra.
Western Convention
(1P) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth
(2P) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3P) Anaheim Geese
(1C) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings
(2C) Dallas Stars vs. (3C) Minnesota Wild
Jap Convention
(1A) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
(2A) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3A) Montreal Canadiens
(1M) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Boston Bruins
(2M) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3M) Philadelphia Flyers
There have been 15 video games on the NHL schedule Saturday, 14 with playoff implications:
Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Boston Bruins 1
The Lightning (49-25-6) ended a three-game dropping streak and earned an necessary two factors when Emil Lilleberg scored with 1:35 remaining within the third interval. Brandon Hagel scored in his return to the lineup after lacking 5 video games with a lower-body harm for the Lightning, who’re two factors behind the Buffalo Sabres for first place within the Atlantic Division. The Bruins (43-27-10) nonetheless clinched a berth with the Detroit Pink Wings and Islanders every dropping in regulation Saturday. Boston has misplaced 5 in a row (0-3-2) and holds the second wild card from the Jap Convention.
Ottawa Senators 3, New York Islanders 0
Linus Ullmark made 23 saves for the Senators (43-27-10), who’ve gained 4 in a row. New York is sixth within the Metropolitan Division and misplaced its first sport (1-1-0) since coach Peter DeBoer changed Patrick Roy on April 5.
OTT@NYI: Ullmark earns his third shutout of the season
Washington Capitals 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Ilya Protas had a objective and two assists to grow to be the primary teenager (19 years previous) in 40 years to have a three-point sport for the Capitals after defenseman Scott Stevens (March 1, 1984). Ovechkin scored his 929th NHL objective and rookie ahead Ryan Leonard scored twice for Washington, which is three factors behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place within the Metropolitan. Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes and Anthony Mantha scored for the Penguins.
Los Angeles Kings 1, Edmonton Oilers 0
Artemi Panarin scored and Anton Forsberg made 27 saves for the Kings (34-26-19), who gained their fourth straight to tie their longest successful streak of the season (Nov. 9-15). Los Angeles holds the second wild card from the Western Convention. The Oilers (40-30-10) clinched a playoff berth regardless of the loss when the Winnipeg Jets misplaced 7-1 to the Flyers on Saturday. 
New Jersey Devils 5, Detroit Pink Wings 3
Jesper Bratt had two targets and an help for the Devils (41-36-3), who eradicated the Pink Wings from playoff competition. Detroit (41-30-9) wanted a win to have an opportunity on the second wild card from the East however misplaced for the fourth time in 5 video games and can miss the playoffs for a tenth straight season. New Jersey was eradicated from playoff competition April 7.
St. Louis Blues 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
The Blues (34-33-12) gained for the third time in 5 video games however have been eradicated from playoff competition after the Kings defeated the Oilers earlier within the day. Tyler Tucker and Jonatan Berggren every had two assists for the Blues. The Blackhawks (28-38-14) are 1-7-1 of their previous eight and have been eradicated from playoff competition.
Nashville Predators 2, Minnesota Wild 1
Steven Stamkos had a objective and an help for Predators (38-32-10), who’re 4-1-1 of their previous six video games and remained one level behind the Kings for the second wild card from the West with two video games remaining. Forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello, and defenseman Jared Spurgeon, have been scratched due to rest-related causes for the Wild (45-23-12), who will end third within the Central Division and play the second-place Dallas Stars within the Western Convention First Spherical.
MIN@NSH: Stamkos jams one in on the wraparound for his fortieth of the season
Dallas Stars 2, New York Rangers 0
Jason Robertson scored twice and Jake Oettinger made 22 saves for his fourth shutout of the season for the Stars (48-20-12). The Rangers (33-38-9) are 5-3-0 of their previous eight and have been eradicated from playoff competition.
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Utah Mammoth 1
Jordan Staal had a objective and an help for the Hurricanes (52-22-6), who clinched first place within the Metropolitan Division and elevated their lead within the Jap Convention to 4 factors forward of the idle Buffalo Sabres with two video games left. Dylan Guenther scored his fortieth objective of the season for Utah.
Florida Panthers 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
The Panthers (38-38-4) ended a four-game skid (1-3-1) after Tomas Nosek scored a pair of targets. William Nylander scored two targets for the Maple Leafs (32-34-14). Every workforce has been eradicated from playoff competition.
Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
Charlie Coyle scored twice and Jet Greaves made 20 saves for the Blue Jackets. Cole Caufield scored his 51st objective of the season for Montreal (47-23-10), which is third within the Atlantic Division.
Philadelphia Flyers 7, Winnipeg Jets 1
Sean Couturier had two targets and an help for Philadelphia (41-27-12), which has gained 4 of 5. Connor Hellebuyck allowed 5 targets on 20 photographs earlier than he was changed by Eric Comrie (one save) to start the third interval for the Jets (35-32-12), who’re 5 factors behind the Kings for the second wild card from the West.
PHI@WPG: Cates picks the nook for SHG on Dvorak’s three hundredth NHL level
Seattle Kraken 4, Calgary Flames 1
Ryker Evans had two assists for the Kraken (34-34-11), who have been eradicated from playoff competition after the Kings defeated the Oilers on Saturday.
Vegas Golden Knights 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (OT)
Jack Eichel scored at 1:19 of time beyond regulation and the Golden Knights (37-26-17) prolonged their level streak to eight video games (5-0-3) and clinched a playoff berth. The Avalanche (52-16-11) have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy because the NHL’s prime regular-season workforce and are 6-3-1 of their previous 10 video games.
Vancouver Canucks 4, San Jose Sharks 3 (SO)
Linus Karlsson scored within the sixth spherical of the shootout for the Canucks. Igor Chernyshov scored twice and Macklin Celebrini had two assists to succeed in 110 factors (42 targets, 68 assists) for the Sharks (37-34-8), who’re 0-2-1 of their previous three video games and 5 factors behind the Kings for the second wild card from the West with three video games to play.

source