NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 17, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Seeding & Final Regular Season Outcomes

The final slate of games determined several key postseason alignments, with the Anaheim Ducks securing the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division after defeating the Nashville Predators 5-4. This outcome finalized a chaotic Western Conference bracket, even as other teams were still jockeying for position, with six total games remaining on the season's final day to determine exact seeding and draft lottery outcomes as tracked by analysts. In an unexpected surge, the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title, marking their first division banner since the 2009-10 season after ending their lengthy playoff drought on Monday. Meanwhile, league-wide statistical concerns surfaced, as the average goalie save percentage dipped below the .900 mark for the first time in three decades, potentially impacting the effectiveness of playoff goaltending efforts.

Contender Status & Previews

As the postseason looms, experts are intensely scrutinizing the potential champions, with comprehensive previews detailing the cases for all 16 contenders and identifying key flaws among the top seeds that opponents will likely exploit during the first round. The uncertainty surrounding team health remains a major factor; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz will miss the start of the playoffs following a setback in his lower-body recovery, despite other areas of the Stars roster improving. On a brighter note for international play, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov confirmed he is healthy enough to represent Finland in the upcoming World Championship in May, even after missing the entirety of the NHL season while recovering from an undisclosed injury.

Offseason Management & Coaching Stability

Organizational stability dominated headlines in non-playoff markets, as the Chicago Blackhawks extended General Manager Kyle Davidson’s contract on Wednesday, signaling long-term commitment to their rebuilding efforts. A major priority for the newly retained GM is securing the future of star forward Connor Bedard, whose contract situation is deemed an "important" focus despite his restricted free agency eligibility approaching. In Columbus, Rick Bowness formally agreed to return as the Blue Jackets’ head coach next season, a decision that follows a challenging year where Bowness openly questioned his players' commitment, stating after a loss to Washington that they "don't care" about winning.

Player Futures & Personnel Moves

In Toronto, the future of superstar Auston Matthews remains unresolved; the Maple Leafs captain stated Thursday that he is currently unable to predict whether he will return to the team next season when directly questioned about his contract status. Contrasting this uncertainty, the San Jose Sharks acted quickly to bolster their prospect pool by signing Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Pohlkamp to a two-year, entry-level contract on Thursday. Meanwhile, in Colorado, discussions continue regarding whether the 30-year-old Nathan MacKinnon has surpassed franchise icon Joe Sakic as the greatest player in Avalanche history, following another dominant regular season performance.

League Issues & External Matters

Beyond the ice, the league faced scrutiny over external activities, specifically concerning the New York Islanders handling of a recent jumbotron promotion that solicited fan donations for a former NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter for throwing a cooler. Separately, league projections for the 2026 Stanley Cup champion continue to fuel debate among players, coaches, and GMs, with roundtable discussions emphasizing which teams might underperform expectations or provide the biggest surprise in the upcoming postseason. The goaltending statistical decline mentioned earlier is a league-wide concern that analysts believe will be tested severely as playoff hockey begins amid heavy scrutiny.