Daily Bean: Bruins Gameday, 16 Team Field Set, Quick Plays Last Game

Q: What do the Boston Bruins need to do to secure their playoff position?

The Boston Bruins need to win their final game to lock in a first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.

Q: Who have the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division against?

The Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title against their competitors in the division, securing their playoff spot.

Q: When do the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs start for the Bruins?

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to start after the conclusion of the regular season, which is today for the Bruins.

Q: Which teams have already clinched their playoff positions in the NHL?

The Buffalo Sabres have clinched the Atlantic Division, and the Hurricanes have clinched the conference ahead of the playoffs.

Daily Bean: Bruins Gameday, 16 Team Field Set, Quick Plays Last Game

Fans pass a giant flag before Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers, Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

It’s the final day of the Boston Bruins regular season.

In old news, they have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they have an opportunity to lock in a first-round series with the Buffalo Sabres if they pick up a win tonight.

The Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division last night, and the Hurricanes clinched the conference. One of those two teams will be the Bruins’ opponent when the playoffs get started.

The rest of the field is set, but not every matchup is confirmed. There are still three nights of hockey in the regular season, and the Eastern Conference wraps up tomorrow night. There’s a nine-game slate tonight that wraps the season up for 10 teams.

Happy Tuesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

GAMEDAY: The Bruins (44-27-10) are hosting the New Jersey Devils (42-36-3) for their final game of the 2025-26 regular season. The Bruins are gearing up for the playoffs, and they just snapped a five-game losing streak over the weekend. The Devils helped the Bruins clinch, and they have won their last two.

Yes, James Hagens will be in the lineup. Marco Sturm also said that some of the guys who rested on Sunday will be back.

POTENTIAL PLAYOFF OPPONENTS: With a win, the Bruins can lock in their playoff matchup tonight. It’s either the Buffalo Sabres or the Carolina Hurricanes – check out the odds for each matchup.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers are in. For the first time since the bubble, there will be postseason hockey in Philly. They’re back, and they’re taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins in round one. And to his credit, Will James called his shot.

Remember when they were selling at the deadline?

Carolina Hockey Now: On the other end of that game, the Hurricanes lost in a shootout, but they clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference. It is the first time in 20 years, and if I can jog anyone’s memory, they won it all the last time they were the best team in the Eastern Conference. They will take on whoever is in the second wild card spot.

Chicago Hockey Now: The Sabres were in Chicago last night, and for the first time since 2010, they will win their division. Jack Bushman has the game recap from the Blackhawks side, who are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks beat the Predators last night, and by virtue, helped the two other California teams lock in a playoff spot. But the Sharks are now out.

The Ducks are in for the first time since 2018.

The Kings are in for the fifth straight season, and for the first time, it looks like they will not match up with the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings needed to win as well, and they did, beating the Kraken 5-3.

STANDINGS:

Atlantic:

y – Sabres – 108 points, 1 game remaining, clinched Atlantic Division
x – Lightning – 106 points, 1 game remaining, clinched
x – Canadiens – 106 points, 1 game remaining, clinched

Metropolitan:

z – Hurricanes – 110 points, 2 games remaining, division clinched
x – Penguins – 98 points, 1 game remaining, second place clinched
x – Flyers – 94 points, 2 games remaining, third place clinched

East Wild Card:

x – Bruins – 98 points, 1 game remaining, clinched
x – Senators – 97 points, 1 game remaining, clinched

Central:

p – Avalanche – 117 points, 2 games remaining, clinched President’s Trophy
x – Stars – 110 points, 1 game remaining, second place clinched
x – Wild – 102 points, 1 game remaining, third place clinched

Pacific:

x – Golden Knights – 93 points, 1 game remaining, clinched
x – Oilers – 91 points, 1 game remaining, clinched
x – Ducks – 90 points, 2 games remaining, clinched

West Wild Card:

x – Mammoth – 90 points, 2 games remaining, clinched
x – Kings – 89 points, 2 games remaining, clinched

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY:

Eastern Conference

A1 – Sabres vs. WC1 – Bruins
A2 – Lightning vs. A3 – Canadiens (matchup confirmed, home ice TBD)
M1 – Hurricanes vs. WC2 – Senators
M2 – Penguins vs. M3 – Flyers (matchup confirmed)

Western Conference

C1 – Avalanche vs. WC2 – Kings
C2 – Stars vs. C3 – Wild (matchup confirmed)
P1 – Golden Knights vs. WC1 – Mammoth
P2 – Oilers vs. P3 – Ducks

Forever Blueshirts: Jonathan Quick played in his last NHL game last night, coming in a 3-2 loss down in Sunrise, FL. The move seemed inevitable, but Quick made it official when he told reporters before the game. Jim Cerny has more on what is next for the Rangers in goal.

NHL (video via 𝕏): After the game, the Panthers made sure to congratulate Quick on his career.