Intense Stanley Cup Playoff Races as NHL Season Nears End

With just four weeks left in the 2025-26 NHL regular season, the race to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs is heating up, and it couldn’t be closer!

In the Eastern Conference, the battle for first place in each of the divisions is intense. Nine teams in the East are within seven points of each other for five playoff spots, while in the West, eight teams are fighting within eight points for four spots and six are within eight points for the second wild card.

Let’s take a closer look at each division and see how things are shaping up as we head into the final stretch:

### ATLANTIC DIVISION

**Buffalo Sabres** — Leading the Atlantic Division, the Sabres have a chance to clinch their first division title since 2010-11. They have seven home games left, including a big matchup against the Lightning on April 6.

**Tampa Bay Lightning** — After a bit of a rough patch, the Lightning are looking to bounce back in a seven-game homestand, including matchups against key rivals like the Canadiens and Bruins.

**Montreal Canadiens** — The Canadiens are in a tight race with the Bruins for a playoff spot, with crucial games against the Hurricanes and Lightning coming up.

**Boston Bruins** — The Bruins are fighting hard for a playoff spot, with games against division rivals like the Sabres and Lightning on the horizon.

### METROPOLITAN DIVISION

**Carolina Hurricanes** — Leading the Metropolitan Division by a wide margin, the Hurricanes are on the path to secure the division title and the top seed in the East.

**Pittsburgh Penguins** — The Penguins are clinging to a playoff spot, with tough games against top teams like the Avalanche and Lightning in their future.

**Columbus Blue Jackets** — The Blue Jackets are in the mix for a playoff spot, with key matchups against the Canadiens and Bruins ahead.

**New York Islanders** — The Islanders are battling for a playoff spot, with important games against teams like the Penguins and Sabres approaching.

### EAST WILD CARD

**Boston Bruins** — Along with competing for the Atlantic Division, the Bruins are also in the mix for a wild card spot, with games against tough opponents like the Islanders on the horizon.

**New York Islanders** — The Islanders are in the hunt for a playoff berth, with crucial games against teams like the Red Wings and Senators coming up.

**Detroit Red Wings** — The Red Wings are looking to secure a playoff spot, with key matchups against the Senators and Sabres in their future.

**Ottawa Senators** — The Senators are making a late push for the playoffs, with a solid record in their recent games and a critical matchup against the Red Wings looming.

**Philadelphia Flyers** — The Flyers are fighting for a wild card spot, with crucial games against teams like the Blue Jackets and Capitals ahead.

**Washington Capitals** — The Capitals are looking to make a late-season push for the playoffs, with only a handful of games left to secure their spot in the postseason.

With so much at stake and the playoff picture constantly shifting, every game counts as we head towards the exciting conclusion of the NHL regular season!