Austin Konenski
The NHL has officially locked in the 16 teams for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the playoff field is now set, seeding remains undecided over the final days of the regular season. In fact, almost all of the first round matchups haven’t been determined yet. Only one playoff series has been fully set heading into the final games.
Here’s a look at the confirmed NHL playoff teams and what’s still at stake before the bracket is finalized.
Eastern Conference Playoff Teams
Atlantic Division
- Buffalo Sabres
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Montreal Canadiens
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Philadelphia Flyers
Wild Card Teams
- Boston Bruins
- Ottawa Senators
Western Conference Playoff Teams
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
Pacific Division
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks
Wild Card Teams
- Utah Mammoth
- Los Angeles Kings
What’s Still To Be Decided
- Vegas, Edmonton, and Anaheim are still fighting to win the Pacific Division
- Boston and Ottawa have one more game apiece to earn the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference
- Utah and Los Angeles have two games to decide the order of the Wild Card spots in the Western Conference
- Several NHL teams are fighting for home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
What’s Next in the NHL
The 16 NHL playoff teams might be set, but there is still plenty of intrigue to close out the 2025-26 regular season. The Pacific Division is still up for grabs while playoff positioning will be the most important factor over the next few days. After all, the Stanley Cup Playoffs rewards teams that can earn home ice advantage.
While the Wild Card drama won’t exist in the final days of the NHL regular season, there is so much that must be determined before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Read More: Full NHL Playoff Picture Today – Updated Standings & Stanley Cup Bracket
