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Can the Nashville Predators be eliminated today from the NHL playoffs?
TL;DR
The Nashville Predators could face elimination from the NHL playoffs today as three playoff spots remain open. The outcomes of games on April 13 will determine their fate and that of other teams vying for a playoff position.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in less than one week and there are still three open spots up for grabs.
In the Eastern Conference, three teams are still alive for the third place in the Metropolitan Division (M3). In the Western Conference, third place in the Pacific (P3) and the final wild-card spot (WC2) are still open.
All three spots, plus a few seeding clinching scenarios, can be claimed based on results on April 13. Here are clinching scenarios in the NHL tonight, beginning with the final wild-card spot:
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles (34-26-19, 87 points) hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Kings can clinch the WC2 spot if:
- They defeat Seattle in any fashion AND San Jose defeats Nashville in regulation
Nashville Predators
Nashville (38-32-10, 86 points) is one point behind Los Angeles for the final wild card. The Predators cannot clinch the playoffs tonight. They can be eliminated with a regulation loss to the Sharks AND a Kings victory over the Kraken.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina (52-22-6, 110 points) are in first place in the Metro Division. The Hurricanes can clinch the Eastern Conference title, locking up the No. 1 overall seed, if:
- They get at least one point vs. Philadelphia OR
- Chicago defeats Buffalo in any fashion
If this happens, Montreal and Tampa will lock in as A2 and A3 in the first round.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo (49-23-8, 106 points) is in first place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres can clinch the division if:
- They defeat Chicago in regulation and with any result between Detroit and Tampa other than a Lightning regulation win. OR
- They defeat Chicago in overtime or shootout AND Detroit defeats Tampa in any fashion
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia (41-27-12, 94 points) are in third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers can clinch a playoff berth, taking the M3 spot, if:
- They defeat Carolina in any fashion
Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim (42-32-6, 90 points) is in third place in the Pacific Division. The Ducks are idle, but can clinch a playoff spot if:
- San Jose defeats Nashville in any fashion
PLAYOFF HOPES: What needs to happen April 13 as Predators, Kings vie for last wild-card spot
NHL schedule for April 13:
- Detroit @ Tampa (6 p.m. CT)
- New York @ Florida (6 p.m. CT)
- Carolina @ Florida (6 p.m. CT)
- Dallas @ Toronto (6:30 p.m. CT)
- Minnesota @ St. Loiuis (7 p.m. CT)
- San Jose @ Nashville (7 p.m. CT)
- Buffalo @ Chicago (7:30 p.m. CT)
- Colorado @ Edmonton (8:30 p.m. CT)
- Los Angeles @ Seattle (8:30 p.m. CT)
- Winnipeg @ Vegas (9 p.m. CT)
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NHL clinching scenarios for April 13, how Flyers, Ducks, Kings get in
Q&A
What teams are competing for the final wild-card spot in the NHL playoffs?
Several teams, including the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings, are competing for the final wild-card spot in the NHL playoffs.
What happens if the Nashville Predators lose today?
If the Nashville Predators lose today, they risk being eliminated from playoff contention, depending on the outcomes of other games.
When do the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in 2026?
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin in less than one week from April 13, 2026.
