NHL Playoffs Set to Launch April 18 as Regular Season Wraps Up

Countdown to the Stanley Cup

The 2025‑26 NHL regular season will close on Thursday, April 16, after six games conclude the 82‑game schedule. With the final whistle, the league’s 16‑team playoff field—eight per conference—will be locked in.

First‑Round Action Begins

The Stanley Cup playoffs officially start on Saturday, April 18. Matchups are already mapped out: division leaders claim the top seeds, while the remaining wild‑card qualifiers round out the bracket. Early projections show the Montreal Canadiens riding an eight‑game win streak toward the Atlantic lead, and the Philadelphia Flyers securing the Metro’s third automatic berth.

Tight Races and Tiebreakers

In Ottawa, the Senators cling to the last postseason spot by a razor‑thin margin, with four teams separated by just two points. Similar battles unfold in the Pacific and Central divisions, where every goal could shift seedings and home‑ice advantage.

What’s Next

Fans can expect the first‑round series to unfold over the weekend of April 18‑20, followed by a full playoff schedule that will extend into June. As the regular season winds down, every game carries heightened stakes for teams on the playoff bubble.