The 2025-26 NHL regular season concludes Wednesday with six games that carry varying stakes. Ten teams have already completed their seasons, while others battle for seeding and draft lottery positioning. The Stanley Cup playoffs field is set, but final standings and lottery odds remain in flux.

In the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres have clinched the title, making their matchup with the Dallas Stars largely ceremonial. The New York Rangers can improve their draft lottery position with a win over Tampa Bay, while the Florida Panthers rest after three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances. The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Ottawa Senators with lottery implications, as their first-round pick could go to Boston unless it lands in the top five.

Young stars Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard highlight the San Jose Sharks-Chicago Blackhawks game, both teams locked into the lottery. The Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights game carries Pacific Division seeding implications, with Vegas able to clinch the division with a win or overtime loss. The regular season concludes Thursday, with the NHL draft lottery set for May 5.