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The NHL playoffs are heating up as the Washington Capitals face the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 12, needing at least one point to keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks aim to end a seven-year playoff drought, and several teams are vying for crucial playoff positions.
Sunday's NHL schedule is full of playoff permutations but the biggest question is whether this will be Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin's final home game.
Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, has said he won't make a decision on his future until he talks with his family and team management during the offseason. But the Capitals don't have any more home games after the Sunday, April 12 matchup against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins, barring a longshot chance to make the playoffs. They need one point in this game to stay alive.
The Capitals captain, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record last season, is in the final year of his contract and will turn 41 in September. He scored his 929th career goal on Saturday, April 11 in Pittsburgh.
Also on Sunday, the Anaheim Ducks can end their seven-year playoff drought and move into second place in the Pacific Division. The Montreal Canadiens could reclaim second place in the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins (tied in points as Eastern Conference wild cards) are in action, and the Columbus Blue Jackets could tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division, although the Philadelphia Flyers would have a game in hand.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Sunday's clinching scenarios and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season:
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Boston
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Utah, Edmonton, Vegas
The Anaheim Ducks will clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Vancouver Canucks.
After April 11 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Metropolitan Division
Atlantic Division
Wild card
Sitting out of playoff position: Columbus Blue Jackets (92), Washington Capitals (91), **z-**Detroit Red Wings (91), New York Islanders (91), **z-**New Jersey Devils (85), **z-**Florida Panthers (80), **z-**Toronto Maple Leafs (78), **z-**New York Rangers (75)
After April 11 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Central Division
Pacific Division
Wild card
Sitting out of playoff position: Nashville Predators (86), Winnipeg Jets (82), San Jose Sharks (82), **z-**St. Louis Blues (80), **z-**Seattle Kraken (79), **z-**Calgary Flames (73), **z-**Chicago Blackhawks (70), **z-**Vancouver Canucks (54)
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 11:
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
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 11.
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
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket, latest 2026 standings and clinching scenarios
The Washington Capitals need to earn at least one point in their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Penguins to keep their playoff hopes alive.
It could be, as Alex Ovechkin has not decided on his future and this game against the Penguins is the last home game of the season for the Capitals.
On April 12, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets are all competing for playoff positions.
As of April 11, 2026, Alex Ovechkin has scored 929 career goals, making him the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer.

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