NHL Playoff Bracket Finalised in East as Pacific Division Race Goes to Final Day
Updated
Updated · NHL.com · Apr 14
NHL Playoff Bracket Finalised in East as Pacific Division Race Goes to Final Day
56 articles · Updated · NHL.com · Apr 14
The 2026 NHL regular season concluded with all 16 playoff spots secured and the Eastern Conference first-round matchups fully set.
In the West, the Vegas Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division and will face the Utah Mammoth, while other Western matchups hinge on the final games.
The playoffs begin April 18, with several Western Conference seeds still to be determined on the season’s last day.
Will the lack of major trade deadline moves in the East make the conference more unpredictable or just consolidate the favorites' advantage?
Could the Colorado Avalanche's trade deadline moves finally secure them the Stanley Cup, or will another underdog steal the spotlight?
How might the unique playoff journeys of teams like Utah and Vegas influence the league’s approach to expansion and relocation in the future?
Can the Vegas Golden Knights sustain their momentum under John Tortorella and avoid a first-round upset by the playoff newcomers Utah Mammoth?
Which rookie—Schaefer, Sennecke, or Demidov—will become the breakout star of the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
Are the recent media rights deals and rising franchise valuations signaling a golden era for the NHL, or hiding deeper challenges?