Tonight marks the final home game of the 2025-26 season for the Vancouver Canucks as they'll be facing off against the Los Angeles Kings. This game will also mark the Canucks' final game facing off against Kings captain Anže Kopitar, as the forward will be retiring at the end of the season. Here are the lineup notes for April 14, 2026.
The only change in Vancouver's lineup tonight will be Kevin Lankinen starting in net. The goaltender is currently riding a personal two-game win streak that saw him stop 24 of 30 shots faced against the Colorado Avalanche on April 1 and 29 of 32 against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. Lankinen's last start against the Kings came on March 26, when he stopped 34 of 37 shots faced in a 4-0 loss.
The rest of Vancouver's lines will remain the same as those iced on Sunday night, during which the Canucks took a 4-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks in overtime. This means that Kirill Kudryavtsev and Curtis Douglas, two players who scored their first career NHL points and goals respectively, will stay in the lineup for tonight's match.
Projected Lineups:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Höglander
Öhgren-Blueger-Boeser
O'Connor-Rossi-Karlsson
Douglas-Mueller-Räty
Buium-Hronek
M. Pettersson-Willander
E.Pettersson-Kudryavtsev
Lankinen
Tolopilo
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Mar 30, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) defends his net against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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The Winnipeg Jets may be out of the playoffs, but the final stretch of the season is still offering reasons for optimism. One of the biggest storylines came Monday night, when top prospect Brayden Yager made his long-awaited NHL debut against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Yager’s arrival has been anticipated since August 2024, when Winnipeg acquired him in a deal that sent Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins. While McGroarty has yet to make a significant impact at the NHL level, the Jets are hoping Yager can develop into a key piece of their future.
The debut itself came in a difficult matchup as Vegas entered the game on a strong run of form and controlled play throughout the night, skating away with a 6-2 victory. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Yager’s performance offered a glimpse of his potential.
The 21-year-old Saskatoon native centered Winnipeg’s third line, playing alongside veteran Nino Niederreiter and fellow young forward Nikita Chibrikov. Yager logged 17 shifts, just one fewer than Cole Perfetti and Gabe Vilardi, though his limited 10:17 of ice time.
He finished the night with one shot on goal and was on the ice for one of Vegas’ six tallies, a point shot from Rasmus Andersson that found its way through traffic. Still, Yager did not look out of place against a surging opponent and handled his assignments without major issues.
With two games remaining in the season, the Jets are expected to give Yager more opportunities to showcase his skill set. While his debut came under challenging circumstances, it marked an important first step in what the organization hopes will be a promising NHL career.
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After having their playoff hopes dashed, the Detroit Red Wings returned to action Monday night, in what should have been a low-pressure opportunity to evaluate young talent in a otherwise meaningless game. Instead, some of the lineup decisions sparked frustration among the fanbase during a matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Much of that frustration centered around top prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who was recently called up after an impressive run with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 15th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft had been on a tear in the AHL, recording seven points in his final five games, earning what many believed was a deserved opportunity to showcase his offensive momentum at the NHL level.
Instead, Brandsegg-Nygard was deployed in a limited role as he skated on the fourth line alongside Marco Kasper and veteran James van Riemsdyk, a decision that drew immediate criticism from fans who felt the young forward should have been given a more prominent role.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (1st round’24) GOAL🚨 his third straight game with a goal and an assist #LGRWpic.twitter.com/QWfMj7ZZOV
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) April 4, 2026
The discontent only grew as veterans David Perron and van Riemsdyk logged more ice time despite both being on expiring contracts and uncertain to return next season.
A popular Red Wings fan account, LGRWProspects, voiced that frustration on social media, calling the usage “such a joke” and suggesting the limited minutes disrupted Brandsegg-Nygard’s rhythm. The comment reflected a broader sentiment that the organization risks hindering the growth of its young players by not putting them in positions to succeed.
Despite the restricted role, Brandsegg-Nygard made an impact in his 11:27 of ice time, the lowest total among Detroit skaters. He finished the game at plus-one and delivered a team-high four hits, showing flashes of the physical and two-way game that made him a first-round pick.
With one game remaining against the Florida Panthers, attention now turns to whether Detroit will adjust its approach. Fans are hoping the final contest provides a clearer look at the team’s future rather than continued reliance on veterans who may not even be apart of the organization moving forward.
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Jun 26, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Murray (28) celebrates with the Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning during game six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
More than a decade into the return of a division-focused playoff format, the arguments persist about whether it is the best thing the NHL can do to determine a Stanley Cup champion.
For three years in a row from 2016-18, Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins faced Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals in the second round and each time the winner of that series hoisted the Cup. Edmonton and Los Angeles met in the first round four years in a row from 2022-25.
This time, it’s the stacked Central Division drawing the attention. Colorado is the top seed in the West while Dallas and Minnesota have for months been on a crash course to start the playoffs against each other. That means that one of the top seven favorites — and one of the seven best regular-season teams — will be gone by Round 2.
“If you could pick, obviously you’d rather not do that,” Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger said. “But it’s kind of the hand you’re dealt and it hopefully makes it all the more fun.”
Since realignment in 2013-14, the league has returned to the format that was all the rage in the 1980s and early ‘90s days of the Patrick, Adams, Norris and Smythe divisions. Exceptions were made in 2020 to complete the playoffs during the pandemic and in ’21 when U.S.-Canada border restrictions led to an entire season of divisional play.
The top teams in the Eastern and Western conferences face the second wild card team, with the other division winner going up against the first wild card. In all the divisions — the Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central and Pacific — the second seed plays the third seed.
Because of that, only one of the Avalanche, Stars and Wild can reach the West final. The path through the Atlantic is treacherous for Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Montreal.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has defended the format and says it delivers the best first round in sports and helps deliver competitive races down the stretch. Critics say it guarantees that some of the league’s top regular-season teams are eliminated before what would be compelling conference championship showdowns.
“We had matchups decided last year the last day of the season,” Bettman said. “If you’re looking for stories, if you’re looking for intrigue, if you’re looking to be entertained, this format works for you.”
How the playoff salary cap works
There were years of complaints about teams stashing players on long-term injured reserve through the end of the regular season only to bring them back early in the first round.
The new labor deal includes a playoff salary cap for the first time. Until now, the cap went away entirely in the playoffs.
It is a factor this time, though it comes with a twist. Unlike during the season, when the entire roster has to fit under the $95.5 million ceiling, teams only have to make sure the lineup of 18 skaters and two goalies dressed is cap compliant; as many as 5-20 players on the roster but not playing on any given night do not count against the cap.
The league added a playoff cap calculator to its front office app to assist general managers and their staffs with the process. Each will need to submit its game roster to NHL Central Registry prior to puck drop to make sure the combined salaries don’t go over the limit.
All 16 NHL playoff berths are filled with three days left in the regular season.
But only three series have been determined and home ice hasn't been decided in one of those. No seed is set in the Pacific Division and the first and second wild-card seeds aren't nailed down yet.
Games Tuesday, April 14 could provide more clarity.
The Boston Bruins can clinch the first wild-card seed in the Eastern Conference and the idle Tampa Bay Lightning can clinch home-ice advantage in the first round. The Utah Mammoth could clinch the top wild-card seed in the West.
The biggest game, though, has no playoff implications. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is playing in his season finale. The NHL's all-time leading scorer hasn't said whether he'll return for another season. ESPN is broadcasting what could be his last game in the NHL.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Tuesday's clinching scenarios and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season before the postseason begins on April 18:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, Edmonton, Anaheim, Utah, Los Angeles
Who can clinch an NHL playoff seed today?
The Bruins will clinch the first wild card in the East if they beat the New Jersey Devils. That would set up a first round meeting with the Sabres. The Ottawa Senators would face the Carolina Hurricanes.
The idle Lightning will clinch second in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in the first round if the Montreal Canadiens lose in regulation.
The Mammoth will clinch the first wild card in the West if they beat the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings lose. They'd also clinch if they get one point and the Kings lose in regulation. Utah would face the Pacific Division winner in the first round.
The Kings would finish as the second wild card if they lose in regulation and the Anaheim Ducks and Mammoth pick up at least one point. The Kings would face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. The Kings could move into the third seed in the Pacific if they win on Tuesday and the Ducks lose.
NHL games today (Tuesday, April 14)
New Jersey at Boston, 7
Carolina at N.Y. Islanders, 7
Montreal at Philadelphia, 7
Washington at Columbus, 7, ESPN
Anaheim at Minnesota, 8
Winnipeg at Utah, 9
Colorado at Calgary, 9
Pittsburgh at St. Louis, 9:30, ESPN
Los Angeles at Vancouver, 10
NHL playoff standings
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
After April 13 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs: z-Washington Capitals (93), z-Columbus Blue Jackets (92), z-Detroit Red Wings (92), z-New York Islanders (91), z-New Jersey Devils (87), z-Florida Panthers (82), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
After completed April 13 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs:z-Nashville Predators (86), z-San Jose Sharks (84), z-Winnipeg Jets (82), z-St. Louis Blues (82), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Calgary Flames (75), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (56)
NHL playoffs if they started today
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 13:
Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3) This series is set
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 13.
Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3). This series is set
Vegas (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Anaheim (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18.
The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets will close out their regular-season schedules in a matchup between two disappointed teams that had their sights set on the playoffs.
My Capitals vs. Blue Jackets predictions expect the home side to come out on top in a high-event game.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets prediction
Capitals vs Blue Jackets best bet: Blue Jackets moneyline (-145)
The Washington Capitals have controlled only 41.57% of high-danger chances at 5-on-5 over the last 10 games, ranking 31st in the league.
They’re consistently getting outplayed, and that should continue against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their share of high-danger chances over the same span is ~10% higher than Washington’s, and they also have the added motivation of closing out their season on a high note on home ice.
Washington’s tendency to get out-chanced could be even more problematic with Clay Stevenson in net.
Stevenson is a 27-year-old journeyman with a .892 save percentage through four NHL starts, and he is unlikely to measure up to Jet Greaves at the other end of the rink.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets same-game parlay
Seven of the Capitals’ last 10 games have eclipsed the total, and that was with Logan Thompson — who leads the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected — starting in nine of them.
With no stakes in tonight's matchup and a third-string netminder taking the crease, this sets up as a free-flowing contest where the offenses shine.
The Blue Jackets also tend to play in faster games, ranking sixth in 5-on-5 pace this season, which should create a better environment for scoring.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets SGP
Blue Jackets moneyline
Over 6.5
Capitals vs Blue Jackets odds
Moneyline: Capitals -105 | Blue Jackets -115
Puck Line: Capitals +1.5 (-250) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Capitals vs Blue Jackets trend
Seven of Washington’s past nine games have featured at least eight goals. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Capitals vs Blue Jackets
Location
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Capitals vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
With the Philadelphia Flyers officially clinching a spot in the playoffs, they have called up five players from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ahead of their season finale against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Flyers have announced that they have recalled Anthony Richard, Jacob Gaucher, Hunter McDonald, Oliver Bonk, and Aleksei Kolosov from the Phantoms.
The Flyers also shared that Bonk and McDonald will make their NHL debuts against the Habs.
Richard has appeared in 63 games this season with Lehigh Valley, where he has 18 goals and 44 points in 63 games. He played in 15 games for the Flyers last season, posting two goals and six points.
Gaucher has played in three games this season with Philadelphia, where he has zero points and a minus-1 rating. He has 20 goals and 36 points in 66 games with Lehigh Valley this campaign.
McDonald has six assists and 88 penalty minutes in 62 games this season with the Phantoms. The 6-foot-4 defenseman was selected by the Flyers with the 165th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Bonk is certainly a notable call-up, as he was selected by Philadelphia with the 22nd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games this season with the Phantoms, he has six goals and 19 points.
As for Kolosov, he has a 0-2-0 record and an .830 save percentage in four games for the Flyers this season. He also has a 15-20-2 record and an .898 save percentage in 37 games with the Phantoms this season.
With a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs in hand, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a handful of roster moves to rest some key players.
On Tuesday morning, the Flyers brought up five players from the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with two set to make their NHL debuts.
Headlining the group is 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk, who is currently in the midst of his first professional season after some very productive years with the OHL London Knights.
After Dan Vladar's heroics on Monday night, prospect Aleksei Kolosov will be inserted into the lineup, presumably to back up Sam Ersson against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night and keep Vladar off the ice at all costs.
The Flyers will also be welcoming back center Jacob Gaucher, who played three games for the NHL squad in November, and veteran Anthony Richard, who scored six points in 15 games for the Flyers last season.
As for further lineup changes, the expectation is that David Jiricek will make his Flyers debut, with Alex Bump, Carl Grundstrom, Noah Juulsen, and Garrett Wilson also drawing in for Flyers players in need of a rest ahead of the playoffs.
Jiricek, 22, played 25 NHL games for the Minnesota Wild this season, with his last appearance coming back on Jan. 31.
On April 3, the St. Louis Blues signed Colin Ralph to a three-year, entry-level contract, bringing the highly anticipated defenseman into the organization. He is finishing the 2025-26 season on an ATO with the Springfield Thunderbirds, as his ELC will kick in at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Ralph spent his two seasons following the NHL draft in the NCAA, first with St. Cloud State University as a freshman before entering the transfer portal and joining Michigan State University as a sophomore.
Michigan State was one of the favorites to win the National Championship, and although they did fall short, Ralph had a strong year.
Ralph won’t blow you away with his offense, as he finished this season with just one goal and 11 points in 37 games, but the 20-year-old is a stout defender and has quickly earned the trust of his coaches at every level.
With Michigan State, Ralph averaged nearly 21 minutes of ice time on a blueline that featured four other drafted prospects. Standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Ralph has the frame of a physical defenseman, and he utilizes it to his advantage. Like Colton Parayko, his physicality might be his best trait in the NHL, but he has shown that his skating and puck-moving abilities are strong enough for the higher level.
His calling card in the NHL, and even in the AHL for the next couple of seasons, will be his defensive game. His size, reach, and defensive understanding are already at a high level, and he’ll be able to polish them in the AHL.
His short-term outlook is in the AHL, but if Ralph can continue to develop and work his way into the NHL, he’ll be exactly what the Blues will need. The 2024 second-round pick (48th overall) played his first three AHL games this weekend, failing to record a point.
While it is still no guarantee that Adam Jiricek, Theo Lindstein, and Logan Mailloux reach the levels some anticipate they will, if they meet expectations, the Blues will have three smooth-skating, puck-moving defensemen with plenty of offensive skill in their top four alongside Philip Broberg. As Parayko ages, they’ll need a replacement for him, and Ralph has the skill set to do so, rounding out the backend.
Ralph can be that defensive first defender who allows Jiricek, Lindstein, and Mailloux to thrive and play their own game.
The Blues have plenty of depth within their prospect pool, which means Ralph will have several competitors to deal with.
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Jimmy Snuggerud is ending his rookie campaign on a huge high. He's picked up a point in 20 of his past 29 games, averaging more than a point per contest along the way.
My Penguins vs. Blues predictions expect Snuggerud to put together another productive outing against a Pittsburgh team looking toward the playoffs.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Penguins vs Blues prediction
Penguins vs Blues best bet: Jimmy Snuggerud Over 0.5 points (-145)
Jimmy Snuggerud has played exceptional hockey alongside Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway on what has been one of the league’s best lines.
That trio has absolutely run over everybody in its path, outscoring opponents 20-5 at 5-on-5 while posting excellent underlying metrics since being assembled.
They also fully correlate on the top power play, allowing their chemistry to flourish in easy offensive situations.
That’s an important factor heading into a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who’ve conceded a power play goal in five of the last six games in which they took at least two penalties.
Penguins vs Blues same-game parlay
The St. Louis Blues’ top line dominates territorially almost nightly, meaning plenty of offensive zone time for Holloway to put his shot to use.
He's cleared 2.5 shots in 10 of his past 14 games and has averaged a healthy 6.4 attempts along the way. He should get his share of looks against a Penguins team with nothing to play for.
We’ll round out the parlay with a bet on the Blues to take care of business in their home finale. They rank eighth in points percentage over their final 25 games and should handle a Penguins team whose biggest priority is getting through this game healthy.
Penguins vs Blues SGP
Jimmy Snuggerud Over 0.5 points
Dylan Holloway Over 2.5 shots on goal
Blues moneyline
Penguins vs Blues odds
Moneyline: Pittsburgh +110 | St. Louis -130
Puck line: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-240) | St. Louis -1.5 (+195)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)
Penguins vs Blues trend
The Blues have hit the moneyline in 13 of their last 20 games (+8.60 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Blues.
How to watch Penguins vs Blues
Location
Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Penguins vs Blues latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Apr 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
CHICAGO — First, the Buffalo Sabres stopped their long playoff drought. Then, Alex Tuch & Co. won the Atlantic Division.
They have no intention of stopping now.
Buffalo is aiming high after a 5-1 victory at Chicago secured the franchise’s first division title since the 2009-10 season and seventh overall. The Sabres became the fifth team in NHL history to clinch a division crown after overcoming a standings deficit of eight or more points.
“It feels really good, but we’ve got a bigger goal in mind,” Tuch said. “So, get some good momentum going into the playoffs. It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t lift the ultimate trophy at the end of the year.”
Buffalo (50-23-8) never has won the Stanley Cup. The team finished seventh in the Atlantic Division last season, but this group of Sabres has been on a roll since December.
With Tuch and Tage Thompson leading the way, the Sabres cruised past the Blackhawks to improve to 39-9-4 in their last 52 games. They reached 50 wins for the third time in club history, also accomplishing the feat in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
“The season has been a total team effort,” said coach Lindy Ruff, who is in his second stint with the Sabres.
Buffalo clinched a playoff spot on April 4. The previous playoff appearance for the franchise was in 2011, when it was eliminated by Philadelphia in seven games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
The 14 straight seasons of futility was an NHL record and one of the longest active streaks among the four major North American sports, ranking second behind the NFL’s New York Jets, who last qualified for the playoffs in 2010.
“Unbelievable job by our group,” Thompson said. “From December on, getting us to the place we’re at right now. Home ice is a huge advantage in the playoffs and being able to give these fans that is something pretty special to me and all the rest of the guys in here, ‘cause of what they’ve been through.”
Thompson scored twice in the victory over Chicago, and Tuch had a goal and an assist. The 28-year-old Thompson, who helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the Olympics, reached 40 goals for the second straight season and third overall.
“It definitely means a lot,” Thompson said. “You set goals for yourself. You set goals as a team and certainly you do as individuals as well. That’s always a place that I want to try to get to and feel I am capable of. When you get close or you get it once or twice, you just want to keep pushing the envelope and see how much more you can get.”
Thompson leads Buffalo with 40 goals and 81 points, but he has received plenty of help. Tuch has 32 goals and 33 assists, and captain Rasmus Dahlin has a team-high 55 assists. Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 22-9-3 with a 2.52 goals-against average after making 15 stops against the Blackhawks.
The Sabres were in the mix for the top spot in the Eastern Conference before Carolina secured the position by earning a point in a shootout loss at Philadelphia.
The Sabres host Dallas in their regular-season finale. After that, it’s the first round of the playoffs against Boston or Ottawa.
“It’s kind of hard to celebrate now knowing we have unbelievable challenges in front of us here,” Dahlin said. “Now we’re just going to switch focus to the playoffs. We have to get ready, that’s for sure.”
The die is cast, and the 16 teams that will take part in the spring dance are now known. That list includes the Montreal Canadiens’ opponent tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers, who beat a watered-down version of the Carolina Hurricanes in the shootout on Monday night. Tonight’s game is therefore meaningless for Rick Tocchet’s men, who cannot hope to move up in the standings, even with a win, since the Pittsburgh Penguins are two points ahead and have 34 regulation wins to the Flyers’ 26.
Will the Flyers decide to rest some players ahead of the playoffs and on the second game of a back-to-back? It would make sense. Meanwhile, with the Buffalo Sabres’ win last night over the Chicago Blackhawks, the Atlantic Division title is now out of reach for the Canadiens, who will definitely face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. The best Martin St-Louis’ men can hope for is a win over the Flyers, coupled with a Bolts loss against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, which would allow them to finish second and get the all-important home-ice advantage.
The Flyers have won both games against the Canadiens so far this season, 5-4 in November and 4-1 in December. A loss tonight would make a season sweep for the Flyers, but both teams have won five of the last 10 duels between the two sides.
Neither team has confirmed who will be in the net for the game, but it will be interesting to see if Martin St-Louis decides to go back to his now-number-one, Jakub Dobes, even though Jacob Fowler won his last outing. Both goalies would give the Canadiens a chance to win, but the more Dobes plays, the better he seems to be, giving him one last game before the playoffs probably wouldn’t hurt. The Czech netminder hasn’t faced the host this season and has lost his only decision against them, and has a 6.30 goals-against average and an .800 save percentage. As for Fowler, he also has a defeat against them, but his numbers are slightly better at 3.10 GAA and a .850 SV.
At the other end of the ice, first-choice goalie Dan Vladar was on duty last night and may well get a night off since the game is meaningless for Philadelphia. Still, he has a 2-0-0 record against the Canadiens with a 2.40 GAA and a .881 SV. As for Samuel Ersson, he has a 2-3-0 record against Montreal with a 3.53 GAA and a .850 SV.
Up front, Brendan Gallagher leads all Canadiens players in points against the Flyers with 27 in 34 games, including the only hat-trick of his career back in 2019, and one has to wonder if the coach may want to give him a game after he was a healthy scratch for the last four games… With everyone healthy up front, St-Louis may want to keep experimenting with his lines. Nick Suzuki comes in second place with 16 points in 17 games, followed by Phillip Danault with 14 points in 19 games.
It’s worth noting that Lane Hutson, who needs an assist to beat Larry Robinson’s assist record, has five points in as many games against Philadelphia, including four assists. As for Cole Caufield, who needs a goal to catch up to Nathan MacKinnon, who was held off the scoresheet last night, in the race to the Rocket Richard Trophy, he has 10 points in 12 games, including six goals. However, the Colorado Avalanche still have two games to play, so MacKinnon could improve on his total if he’s not rested. Colorado takes on the Calgary Flames tonight and the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, in the very last game of the regular season. Odds seem to be stacked against Caufield in that race.
Meanwhile, Sean Couturier leads the Flyers in points against Montreal with 25 points in 36 games, including three game-winning goals. Travis Konecny is in second place with 19 points in 22 games, followed by Owen Tippett with 11 points in 14 games. It wouldn’t be shocking if the first two enjoyed a night off, given the circumstances.
The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on NBCSP, TSN2, and RDS. Jake Brenk and Peter MacDougall are set to officiate, while Kilian McNamara and Mark Shewchyk will be the linemen.
Apr 13, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Denver Barkey (52) celebrates with teammates after the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Kyle Ross/Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — Dan Vladar turned aside Carolina’s fourth shootout attempt, threw his arms in the air and waited for the swarm of Flyers to mob him in celebration.
Every Flyer hopped the boards and rushed the ice as fans — almost all clad in orange — went wild in a celebration six years — and a long rebuild — in the making.
The Flyers skated to center ice and raised their sticks toward a packed and rowdy crowd that hasn’t enjoyed a home playoff series since 2018 as “CLINCHED!” flashed on the big screen.
Yes, Philadelphia — long ago one of the model franchises in the NHL — indeed is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Tyson Foerster scored the only goal in the shootout to send Philadelphia to a 3-2 win over the Eastern Conference top seed Carolina Hurricanes, setting up a first-round series with Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Owen Tippett said. “These guys in this room love each other. It’s going to be a blast. But the job’s not done.”
Reaching the postseason is a meaningful milestone for the Flyers and fans who endured many seasons of miserable hockey.
“It’s been a lot of years,” Flyers first-year coach Rick Tocchet said. “I feel for them, I really do. I get it. We could only do our part and try and build this thing. I understand their angst. Hopefully this gives them a little bit of belief.”
The Flyers played must-win hockey in the final week of the season. Chicago beat Philadelphia in 2010 for the Stanley Cup, and the Flyers never recovered, winning three playoff series headed into this season.
Only Toronto (1966-67) has suffered longer than any other team that has won at least one Stanley Cup.
The Flyers have been close: Philadelphia lost in the Cup finals in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997 and 2010.
The architect of an overdue organizational overhaul, general manager Danny Briere, kept his eye on the future the last three seasons, refusing to yield his promising prospects for veterans that could have accelerated the rebuild.
The Flyers are loaded with young stars like Matvei Michkov, who scored against Carolina, and 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone. Both are expected to usher the Flyers into serious Stanley Cup contention in the future.
“I think the room’s in a good spot,” Travis Konecny said. “A lot of the young guys that we have, to be honest with you, they’ve been farther ahead than you would expect. And they also play a professional style where they make the right plays at the right time.”
Perhaps the biggest for Briere was hiring Tocchet.
Tocchet played more than a decade with Philly in stints at the start and end of his career and turned modest playoff hopes into reality.
“I’m enjoying watching these games, win these pressure games,” Tocchet said. “As coach, like, I’m not nervous. I’m excited for these guys.”
Philadelphia has one of the longest championship droughts in the NHL, last winning the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975. Those “Broad Street Bullies” teams are a cherished part of the franchise’s past and a reminder of the time that passed since hoisting the trophy.
The Flyers needed two points over their final two games to clinch a playoff spot and trailed 2-0 against a Hurricanes team that got the point it needed to clinch the No. 1 seed in the East.
Michkov started the rally and Trevor Zegras scored on a power play later in the second period, tying the game.
After each team missed on their first three shootout attempts, Foerster delivered the winner that will be remembered as the most important goal over the last six seasons.
Foerster’s season was considered done following an injury in early December. The 24-year-old, who had a career-best 25 goals last season, missed 49 games, but recovered and returned this month.
Not all Flyers fans wore orange.
Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper watched the end of the shootout in the clubhouse after the Phillies’ 13-7 win over the Cubs.
“We’re all going to be behind them in their playoff run,” Schwarber said. “Can’t wait to see them get out there. ... I don’t know if we’re ever going to be able to sneak over to a game, but hopefully we can.”
The Flyers finish the season against Montreal before beginning preparation for Pittsburgh.
While the 16 teams making the playoffs have already been determined, there are still meaningful games on the ice for postseason seeding tonight, and I’ve got a trio of NHL player props to cover you throughout the action.
Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson headlines my favorite NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Best NHL player prop bets today
Player
Rittich Over 23.5 saves
-125
Carlsson Over 2.5 shots
-115
Clarke Over 1.5 shots
-130
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Our best NHL player props for Tuesday, April 14
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Carlsson is also skating on the top line and first power-play unit, and the Anaheim Ducks are still battling for postseason seeding ahead of Tuesday's clash against the Minnesota Wild.
I also particularly value Carlsson sporting an elite 65.8 Corsi For percentage during the highlighted seven-game stretch.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
Prop #3: Brandt Clarke Over 1.5 shots
-130 at BET99
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke has seen a dip in his shots with just six across his past five games, but he’s still recorded 18 attempts during the stretch.
Clarke continues to see power-play time and sports a 57.5% shot rate at five-on-five, so I expect him to pick up two or more in a favorable matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver has allowed the sixth-most shots per game (29.4) while ranking 30th in Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 since March 1.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
For a moment, the game itself almost felt secondary.
The puck slid off Tyson Foerster’s stick in the shootout, the net rippled, and the Philadelphia Flyers were inches away from that seemingly ever-elusive playoff berth. All Dan Vladar had to do was save the next shootout attempt from the Carolina Hurricanes.
He did.
Everything that followed—the raised arms, the collision of bodies by Vladar's net, the roar that seemed to come from somewhere deeper than the building—was not just about celebrating this singular night, but more about six years of waiting finally giving way.
The Philadelphia Flyers are going back to the playoffs.
A 3–2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes sealed it, closing their season series at 1–1–2 and, more importantly, ending a postseason drought that had lingered long enough to define an era. It did not come easily. But nothing worth having ever does.
It came the way this season has unfolded—hard, emotional, and earned. And in the aftermath, inside a locker room that has spent months building toward this moment, the reaction said everything.
“That’s a big win. Man…it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” said Owen Tippett, visibly fighting emotion. “These guys in this room love each other so much. All the doubters all year—we believed right from the start, right from training camp. It’s gonna be a blast, and we’re gonna soak it all in, but job’s not done.”
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (74). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
1. A Historic Climb That Redefines What This Team Is
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not like this.
On March 10, the Flyers sat nine points out of a playoff spot. Historically, that distance, especially this late in the season, has been insurmountable. According to NHL Stats, no team had ever overcome that deficit after 60 games played to qualify for the postseason.
Until now.
The Flyers had their ups and downs and moments of uncertainty. They had stretches where they looked like a playoff-caliber team, and stretches were it looked like they didn't have a shot in hell. But this team thrived on the negativity and doubt and ridicule, and turned it into something historic.
And they did so not with a single surge, but with sustained, disciplined, resilient hockey over weeks—on the road, in tight games, in moments where a single misstep could have ended the push. It reframes the narrative from unexpected to earned. This isn’t a team that backed into the playoffs. It is one that forced its way in, game by game, shift by shift.
A visibly emotional Owen Tippett said that a lot of the Flyers success has come behind the scenes, “the stuff that no one sees.” You can tell how much this means to the players.
Trevor Zegras delivered again, tying the game with his 26th goal, extending his point streak to 13 points in his last 13 games and further cementing one of the most productive debut seasons in franchise history, trailing only Mike Knuble, Danny Briere, and Wayne Simmonds over the past three decades.
Philadelphia Flyers forwards Trevor Zegras (46) and Tyson Foerster (71) celebrate Zegras' goal. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
And then there was Tyson Foerster.
His shootout winner was the moment, of course, but it's almost poetic that the winning goal was scored by a player that suffered a devastating upper-body injury in December and wasn't guaranteed to return to play at all this season.
Head coach Rick Tocchet admitted, "I didn't think he was gonna come back. But he was determined. It was a lot of lonely, lonely days for him [while recovering]. He just adds that sniper for us. That's a hell of a goal."
FOERSTER SCORES IT & VLADAR STOPS IT SENDING THE FLYERS TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020!!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/wfpIPxnrrC
Earlier in the game, Foerster also recorded his 100th NHL point.
Behind it all, Dan Vladar stood composed in the shootout, blocking every single Hurricanes attempt, his confidence unwavering in his own teammates' abilities.
“I was fine, I was confident, because when you practice with the best, nothing can surprise you," he said postgame. "I think we’ve got the best shooters in the league for shootouts. I was confident in the guys in front of me like I’ve been the whole season, so no doubt.”
3. Experience Is Limited, But Leadership Has Bridged the Gap
What makes this moment even more significant is how new it is for most of this roster.
Only three players—Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, and Travis Sanheim—have experienced playoff hockey in a Flyers uniform.
For everyone else, this is uncharted territory.
And yet, throughout the stretch run, there has been no sense of a team overwhelmed by the moment. That is the result of leadership that has translated expectation into action.
Couturier’s presence, in particular, has been emblematic of the team-first mentality that has defined this group. Whether in a top-line role or a more grinding assignment, his willingness to adapt has set a tone that has rippled throughout the lineup.
The result is a team that, while relatively inexperienced in postseason play, is not inexperienced in high-pressure hockey, because they’ve been playing it for weeks.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Porter Martone (94) taking in the scenes of the win. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
4. The Emotional Core of This Team Is Its Greatest Strength
Some teams talk endlessly about culture. The Flyers have lived it.
The emotion in the room after the game was not performative. It was the natural release of a group that has endured doubt, external skepticism, and internal challenges, and stayed together through all of it.
Trevor Zegras captured the feeling in a way that statistics, frankly, never could.
“It’s just a lot of fun. When you don’t do it for so long, you forget what it feels like," he said. "For an athlete, you thrive on that kind of environment, and that’s what you want. To do it with this group of guys is awesome, because we’re obviously so close and love each other so much. It’s been good.”
And Matvei Michkov, through translator Slava Kuznetsov, expressed the magnitude of the moment.
“Unbelievable feeling. I cannot really describe what’s going on," he said. "The team was striving to make the playoffs the entire season, and it’s finally happened. It’s beyond describing. We can now be happy and get ready for the next games. Every team has the same goal at the end of it, so everybody knows what it is, and we’re going to go for it.”
The Philadelphia Flyers celebrate with each other after clinching a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
5. Rick Tocchet’s Vision Has Materialized—And Set the Next Standard
In the quieter moments after the celebration, head coach Rick Tocchet didn’t overstate the achievement. He didn’t need to.
“I didn’t talk very much [after the win]," he revealed. "Just really proud of those guys. Right from training camp, we put up a preseason prediction, and a lot of people [in the media] had us last. I put it up there to make those guys understand the position we’re in, but it was all them. I’m really proud of the way they’ve stuck with it since training camp. It’s a tough game; Carolina’s a tough team. They didn’t give in. We had to earn it, and we did.”
From the first day of camp to this moment, the Flyers have built something deliberate, rooted in resilience, structure, and collective accountability. They've always known who they are and believed in that identity, even when it seemed like everyone else had already counted them out.
Now, that identity has produced something beautiful and tangible. But it has also created expectation.
Getting to the playoffs isn't easy for anyone, and it certainly felt even more laborious for the Flyers. An impending postseason series against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, only adds to the drama of it all. But the Flyers are riding an unbelievable high right now, and it will be undeniably exciting to see what their playoff form looks like.
Rittich Over 23.5 saves
Carlsson Over 2.5 shots
Clarke Over 1.5 shots
