NHL Clinching Scenarios: Avalanche, Oilers, Ducks, Kings will learn playoff opponents
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 season-ending six-game slate for Thursday, April 16?
– Only two playoff matchups remain to be decided: The top overall Western Conference seed Colorado Avalanche’s opponent and the No. 2 vs. No. 3 Pacific Division seed matchup. How will the Edmonton Oilers (40-30-11), Anaheim Ducks (42-33-6) and Los Angeles Kings (35-25-20) finish on the season’s final night?
– The Oilers clinch second and home ice in Round 1 if (a) they collect even a single point against the Vancouver Canucks or (b) the Kings lose to the Calgary Flames AND the Ducks lose to the Nashville Predators. The Oilers can only drop to the nightmarish second Wildcard spot and earn a date with Colorado if the Oilers lose in regulation AND the Kings and Ducks BOTH win.
– If the Ducks beat the Predators AND the Oilers lose in regulation, the Ducks win the No. 2 seed in the Pacific. The Ducks land the No. 3 seed if (a) they beat the Predators, (b) the Kings lose to the Flames in regulation or (C) the Ducks collect a point or more AND the Kings collect a point or fewer.
– The only way the Kings can win the Pacific (with 20 loser points!) is if the Oilers lose in regulation AND the Ducks lose in any fashion AND the Kings win. The Kings can secure third if (a) they beat the Flames AND the Oilers lose in regulation; (b) they beat the Flames AND the Ducks lose; or (c) they collect at least a point AND the Ducks lose in regulation.
– Mathematically, the most likely outcomes tonight are that the Oilers and Ducks clinch a series against each other while the Kings draw the Avs.
– The Flames (33-39-9) have never picked in the top three of the NHL Draft in their 53-season history. If they get one point or fewer tonight, they will lock in the third-best 2026 NHL Draft Lottery Odds (which doesn’t guarantee a top-three pick, as a team below them could leapfrog them, but it ups the chances).
– The Oilers’ Connor McDavid, leading the NHL with 134 points, should clinch his sixth career Art Ross Trophy tonight. That will tie him with Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux for the second-most scoring titles all-time.
– The Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon, leading the NHL with 53 goals, should secure his first career Rocket Richard Trophy tonight.
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PRESENTED BY STAKE
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