What’s at Stake in the NHL: Playoff hockey in Utah for the first time ever?
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 9?
– The Colorado Avalanche (51-16-10) will clinch the Presidents’ Trophy (a) with a win of any kind over the Calgary Flames, (b) if they get a point and the Carolina Hurricanes (50-22-6) get one or fewer points against the Chicago Blackhawks; or (c) if the Canes fail to record a point.
– Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins (40-22-16) can’t clinch a Wildcard spot tonight, they can clinch a playoff spot by locking up second or third in the Metropolitan Division. They secure at least third (a) if they defeat the New Jersey Devils in any fashion, (b) if they get at least a point AND the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Buffalo Sabres in any fashion, or (c) if the Jackets lose in regulation AND the New York Islanders lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in any fashion. Wanna dream bigger? The Pens can win second and home-ice advantage in Round 1 if they beat the Devils AND the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Detroit Red Wings in regulation.
– The Boston Bruins (43-26-10) are idle tonight but can clinch a playoff spot if the Red Wings, Islanders and Flyers all lose in regulation.
– The idle Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10) are riding high after Connor McDavid’s hat trick Wednesday night and can clinch a playoff spot tonight. It’s locked in if (a) the San Jose Sharks lose to the Anaheim Ducks, the Nashville Predators lose to the Utah Mammoth in regulation AND the Winnipeg Jets lose to the St. Louis Blues outright, or (b) if the Sharks lose to the Ducks in any fashion, the Predators lose in regulation AND the Blues lose to the Jets in overtime or a shootout.
– Is it time for the Utah Mammoth (41-30-6) to punch their first postseason ticket since relocating from Arizona? It officially happens tonight if they beat the Preds in regulation AND the Sharks lose to the Ducks in any fashion.
– Will the Grim Reaper claim the Seattle Kraken’s (32-34-11) season? They will be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs Thursday if (a) they lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in regulation; (b) the Predators beat the Mammoth; (c) they collect one or fewer points AND the Los Angeles Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks OR the Sharks beat the Ducks; or (e) they collect one or fewer points and the Mammoth beat the Predators in overtime or a shootout. It’s all but over in the Emerald City.
– Cole Caufield’s next goal makes him the Montreal Canadiens’ first 50-goal scorer since 1989-90.
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PRESENTED BY STAKE
