NHL teams chase final Stanley Cup playoff and draft lottery positions
The final week of the 2025-26 NHL regular season arrives on Monday with crucial Stanley Cup playoff seeding and draft lottery positions still to be decided across North America.
The post-season begins this weekend, but several franchises are still fighting to secure favourable match-ups in the opening round.
For clubs at the bottom of the league standings, the focus has completely shifted to the upcoming 2026 NHL draft lottery scheduled for 5 May.
Atlantic Division contenders
The Tampa Bay Lightning remain firmly in the hunt for the top seed in the Atlantic Division.
Securing first place would guarantee the Florida-based franchise a first-round clash against either the Boston Bruins or Ottawa Senators.
Their upcoming opponents, the Detroit Red Wings, have already been eliminated from post-season contention following a recent defeat to the New Jersey Devils.
The Michigan outfit’s first-round draft selection currently sits 14th overall and is owed to the St Louis Blues.
Eastern Conference permutations
The Carolina Hurricanes have already secured another Metropolitan Division crown and are now closing in on the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
A victory or an overtime defeat against the Philadelphia Flyers will guarantee the number one spot for the Raleigh-based team.
Conversely, the Flyers can clinch their own post-season berth with a victory, setting up a first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A regulation loss for the Pennsylvania side would offer renewed hope to both the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets in the wildcard race.
Draft lottery positioning
At the other end of the table, the New York Rangers have climbed to third in the draft lottery order but cannot mathematically catch the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a precarious position regarding their 2026 first-round draft pick.
The Canadian club must surrender their selection to the Boston Bruins unless it lands inside the top five picks.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are already locked into the second seed in the Central Division and will face the Minnesota Wild with crucial home-ice advantage.
