The Colorado Avalanche aren’t as dominant as they were at the beginning of the season, but they have a chance on Friday, March 20, to become the first team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs berth.
The Avalanche had only two regulation losses on Jan. 1. That’s up to 13 now and the Dallas Stars are just two points back in the race for the Central Division title. But the early goodwill puts Colorado in position to clinch less than four weeks before the end of the regular season.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets, surging after a coaching change, moved into a playoff position on Thursday night by improving to 17-2-4 under Rick Bowness. The New York Islanders dropped below the playoff line.
Here’s what to know about the NHL standings, tiebreaker procedures and playoff field for the 2025-26 season:
Who can clinch today?
The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
NHL games today (Friday, March 20)
All times p.m. ET
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New Jersey at Washington, 7
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Colorado at Chicago, 8:30
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
Metropolitan Division
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Columbus Blue Jackets (83)
Atlantic Division
Wild card
Sitting out of playoff position: New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (79), Philadelphia Flyers (78), Washington Capitals (76), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (70), New York Rangers (64)
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NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
Central Division
Pacific Division
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Vegas Golden Knights (76)
Wild card
Sitting out of playoff position: Seattle Kraken (71), Nashville Predators (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (67), St. Louis Blues (65), Chicago Blackhawks (64), Calgary Flames (61), Vancouver Canucks (50)
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
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Carolina (M1) vs Detroit (WC2)
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Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Columbus (M3)
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Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
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Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M – Metropolitan Division. A – Atlantic Division. WC – wild card
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NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
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Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
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Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
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Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
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Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C – Central Division P – Pacific Division. WC – wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
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Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
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Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
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When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin on Saturday, April 18.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff standings, latest 2026 bracket, tiebreaker scenarios
