NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 14, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Eastern Conference Seeding & Playoff Clinches

The Eastern Conference playoff picture solidified Monday night as the Buffalo Sabres clinched their first division title since the 2009-10 season by topping the Atlantic Division, while the Philadelphia Flyers secured their first berth since 2020. The Flyers managed a dramatic 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes, who had already locked up the East's top seed, signaling a dramatic turnaround under first-year coach Rick Tocchet. As the regular season winds down, Tuesday's slate of games offers critical matchups to finalize seeding and determine the exact lottery order for non-qualifying clubs as the bracket takes shape.

Western Conference Berths & Statistical Anomalies

In the West, the Anaheim Ducks punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2007, despite a modest 3-5-2 record over their last ten contests, following the San Jose Sharks' 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. This late surge into the playoffs contrasts sharply with league-wide goaltending woes, as the average NHL save percentage has dipped below .900 league-wide for the first time in three decades, suggesting scoring is on the rise across the board. For the teams missing the cut, attention immediately shifts to the summer, with deep dives already underway analyzing the necessary free agency and draft strategies required for teams aiming for a 2026-27 resurgence.