What’s at Stake in the NHL: Changing of the guard in Florida?

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 15-game slate for Saturday, April 4?

– The Tampa Bay Lightning (47-22-6) can lock in a playoff spot (a) if they beat the Boston Bruins; (b) if the Detroit Red Wings lose to the New York Rangers in regulation; (c) they get at least one point and and the Red Wings get one point or fewer; or (d) they get at least a point and the Ottawa Senators lose to the Minnesota Wild in regulation.

– The Buffalo Sabres (46-22-8) whiffed Thursday on their first attempt at clinching a playoff berth for the first time in 15 years. They get another shot Saturday. They clinch if (a) they beat the Washington Capitals in any form; (b) the Red Wings lose in regulation; (c) they get at least a point and the Red Wings get one or fewer points; or (d) they get at least a point and the Senators lose in regulation.

– The Florida Panthers (37-35-3) two-year Stanley Cup championship run ends officially with a regulation loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday, and there are 15 permutations of league-wide results that can also eliminate Florida.

– The Colorado Avalanche (49-15-10) can clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs if (a) they beat the Dallas Stars, (b) the Minnesota Wild lose to the Senators in regulation or (c) they get at least a point and the Wild get one point or fewer.

– On Saturday, the Avs’ Brent Burns will become the second player in NHL history to play 1,000 consecutive games, joining Phil Kessel.

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PRESENTED BY STAKE