2026 NHL Playoffs Start on April 18: Playoff Teams and Matchups

The 2026 NHL playoffs will begin on April 18, with 16 teams securing their spots. The Carolina Hurricanes achieved significant success in the Eastern Conference, while the Colorado Avalanche stood out in the Western Conference. The final playoff spots were claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings.

Scraper SystemApril 17, 2026, 04:03 PM

2026 NHL Playoffs Start on April 18: Playoff Teams and Matchups

The excitement of the 2026 NHL season playoffs begins on April 18. A total of 16 teams earned the right to participate in the playoffs after the remaining games of the season. In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes finished the season as conference champions. The Atlantic Division champion was the Buffalo Sabres. In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy, becoming the most successful team of the season.

The last three teams to qualify for the playoffs were the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings. The Flyers ended their five-season playoff drought by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout and matched up against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. The Anaheim Ducks secured their playoff spot following the Nashville Predators' defeat and will be returning to the playoffs after seven seasons. The Los Angeles Kings qualified for the playoffs with their victory over the Seattle Kraken and the Predators' loss.

Playoff matchups and rankings will be finalized with the remaining games of the season. In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage in the first three rounds. In the Western Conference, the strong performance of the Colorado Avalanche stands out. According to official NHL sources and USA Today, fierce competition continues among teams in the final week of the season.

2026 NHL Playoffs Start on April 18: Playoff Teams and Matchups