Everything you need to know about the NHL playoff race and draft lottery implications for April 15, 2025.
As the 2025 NHL regular season nears its end, playoff spots are still on the line — and Tuesday’s schedule features 10 critical games with major postseason and draft lottery implications. From wild-card races to division title battles, here’s a team-by-team breakdown of what’s at stake.
Montreal’s Slip Keeps Columbus in the Playoff Hunt
The Montreal Canadiens failed to clinch a playoff spot Monday after a shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving the door open for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus must win their final two games in regulation, and Montreal must lose in regulation to fall out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card position.
Western Wild Card: Flames, Wild, Blues All in Action
No changes occurred Monday in the three-way race between the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames. But all three teams play Tuesday, setting the stage for pivotal movement in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Devils vs. Bruins: Playoff Tune-Up vs. Draft Lottery Watch
- New Jersey Devils: One of their final tests before facing the
Carolina Hurricanes in the first round.
- Boston Bruins: Locked into the No. 4 draft lottery position but could slip depending on results from the Kraken, Flyers, and Sabres.
Maple Leafs Aim to Clinch Atlantic Division
- Toronto Maple Leafs: A win or even an OT/shootout loss vs.
Buffalo clinches the Atlantic.
- Buffalo Sabres: Closing strong, but stuck in the draft lottery cluster (currently No. 7).
Blackhawks Locked in at No. 2, Senators Set for Wild Card
- Chicago Blackhawks: Monday’s win changes nothing — they’ll pick second in the draft.
- Ottawa Senators: Secured the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot and await either
Toronto or Tampa Bay
in Round 1.
Flyers vs. Blue Jackets: A Wild Card Dream Still Alive
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Must win in regulation AND hope for help to claim a playoff spot.
- Philadelphia Flyers: Sitting 6th in the lottery (76 points), part of a tight cluster of teams with 75–78 points.
Panthers vs. Lightning: Possible Playoff Preview?
- Florida Panthers: Cannot catch
Tampa Bay in regulation wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning: Can win the division with two regulation wins AND two
Maple Leafs regulation losses.
- Expect a physical game with “message sending” rather than standings movement.
Capitals vs. Islanders: Rest vs. Draft Positioning
- Washington Capitals: Locked in as the East’s No. 1 seed.
- New York Islanders: 10th in draft lottery (82 points), trying to avoid falling behind
Red Wings/Rangers.
Blues vs. Utah Hockey Club: One Win Away?
- St. Louis Blues: A win of any kind + a
Flames loss secures a playoff spot.
- Utah Hockey Club: Competitive inaugural season, but they’re bound for the lottery (currently 14th).
Wild vs. Ducks: Win and You're In
- Minnesota Wild: Clinch a playoff spot with a win of any kind or an OT loss +
Flames loss.
- Anaheim Ducks: Currently 9th in the lottery with 78 points, part of the 75–78-point cluster.
Flames vs. Golden Knights: Do or Die for Calgary
- Calgary Flames: Must win in regulation and hope the
Blues lose to stay alive.
- Vegas Golden Knights: Top seed in the Pacific; can eliminate Calgary with a win Tuesday.
Kings vs. Kraken: Home Ice Clinched, Lottery Looms
- Los Angeles Kings: Clinched home-ice vs.
Oilers with Monday’s win.
- Seattle Kraken: Fifth in the draft lottery order (76 points), still in that mid-table lottery logjam.
What to Watch:
- 🏆 Division title races in the Atlantic and Pacific
- 🎟️ Final wild-card spot in the East and West
- 📉 Lottery order shuffling between 75-78 point teams
Stay locked in for live playoff clinching scenarios and lottery movement throughout the night.
