Here are the Stanley Cup Playoffs clinching scenarios for April 12.
On Tap
There are 11 games on the NHL schedule for Saturday, each with playoff implications.
New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers (12:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NBCSP)
The Islanders (34-33-11) are still breathing in the race for the second wild in the East, but they will be eliminated with any kind of loss against the Flyers (32-37-9) or if the Montreal Canadiens get one point against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Philadelphia has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets (12:30 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS)
The Blue Jackets (37-33-9), who defeated the Capitals 7-0 on Saturday, would be eliminated if Montreal defeats Toronto in regulation. The Capitals (50-20-9) have clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage through the conference final.
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS)
The Rangers (37-35-7) also stayed alive on Friday with the Canadiens loss but would be eliminated with any kind of loss to the Hurricanes or if the Canadiens get one point. Carolina (46-27-5) will finish second in the Metropolitan Division and face the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings (4 p.m. ET; FDSNW, ALT)
The Kings (45-24-9) are trying to hold off the Edmonton Oilers in the race for second place in the Pacific Division. They lead the Oilers by two points with a game in hand. The Avalanche (48-28-4) will finish third in the Central Division and will play either the Winnipeg Jets or Dallas Stars in the first round.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers (6 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B)
The Panthers (46-29-4) are still battling for position in the Atlantic Division; they are two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place and four behind the first-place Maple Leafs. The Sabres (35-37-6) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNP)
The Canadiens (39-31-9) will try for the second straight night to clinch a playoff spot. They will get into the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season with a win in regulation. If Montreal gets a point, the Detroit Red Wings would be eliminated from playoff contention. Toronto (48-26-4) leads Tampa Bay by two points for the Atlantic Division lead.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. ET; CHSN, NHLN, SNW, CITY)
The Jets (54-21-4) will lock up the Central Division and the top seed in the Western Conference with one point; they lead the Stars by six points with three games remaining. The Blackhawks (23-46-10) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET: Utah 16, Victory+)
Dallas will either finish first or second in the Central Division. The Stars (50-23-6) need to win out and have the Jets lose all three of their games in regulation to have a chance to win the division. If Dallas finishes second, it will face Colorado in the Western Conference First Round. Utah (36-30-13) has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, FDSNNO, FDSNWI)
The Wild (43-30-7) play the second of a back-to-back following a 4-2 loss at the Calgary Flames on Friday. The Wild remained in a points tie with the St. Louis Blues for the two wild-card spots in the West. They own the first tiebreaker over the Blues, which is regulation wins (33-31). Minnesota and St. Louis each is three points ahead of Calgary, which has a game in hand on each. The Canucks (37-29-13) have been elimnated from playoff contention.
Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SCRIPPS)
The Golden Knights (48-22-9) can clinch the Pacific title with a win and a Kings loss of any kind. That would lock them into playing the first wild card in the West, which is currently the Wild. The Predators (29-42-8) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, KHN, KONG)
The Blues (43-30-7) also lead the Flames by three points for one of the wild card spots in the West, having played an extra game. They own the regulation-wins tiebreaker over the Flames (31-29). The Kraken (34-40-6) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
