What’s at Stake in the NHL: Will Sabres end 15-year playoff drought tonight?
Welcome to the home stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season. This deep into the schedule, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot, division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re breaking down what you need to know every day between now and the end of the season April 16.
So what’s at stake across the 14-game slate for Thursday, April 2?
– The Carolina Hurricanes (47-21-6) will clinch a playoff spot with a win of any kind over the Columbus Blue Jackets OR if they get a point vs. Columbus AND the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Detroit Red Wings in any fashion and the Buffalo Sabres defeat the Ottawa Senators in regulation. A win over Columbus also clinches home ice in Round 1 for Carolina.
– The Tampa Bay Lightning (46-22-6) can clinch a playoff berth if (a) they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins AND the Detroit Red Wings and Blue Jackets lose in regulation and the Ottawa Senators lose in any fashion or (b) if they beat the Pens in regulation and all three of the Wings, Jackets and Sens lose in regulation.
– The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (36-35-3) will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to the Boston Bruins in regulation and any of the Red Wings, Senators or Blue Jackets wins.
– Oh, baby. Will the longest playoff drought in NHL history end tonight? After 15 years of waiting, the Buffalo Sabres (46-21-8) can clinch a playoff spot if (a) they beat the Senators or (b) they earn at least a point vs. the Senators AND the Red Wings and Blue Jackets both lose.
– The Toronto Maple Leafs (32-30-13) have eight different paths that would eliminate them from playoff contention Thursday night, six of which start with a regulation loss to the San Jose Sharks.
– The Minnesota Wild (41-21-12) will clinch a playoff berth if they get a single point versus the Vancouver Canucks, if the Los Angeles Kings lose to the Nashville Predators or if the San Jose Sharks lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation.
– The Vancouver Canucks (22-44-8) “failed” to clinch last overall by winning Wednesday night but can do so Thursday if they fail to get a point OR the Chicago Blackhawks get a point.
– How close are the Chicago Blackhawks (27-34-14) to playoff elimination? A regulation loss to the Edmonton Oilers tonight will cement it, but there are several other headache-inducing permutations that would do it. Bottom line: Chicago’s all but toast.
– Cole Caufield is three goals away from becoming the Montreal Canadiens’ first 50-goal scorer since Stephane Richer in 1989-90.
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PRESENTED BY STAKE
