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Penguins NHL Playoff Clinching Scenarios: How Pittsburgh Can Earn Berth on April 9
TL;DR
The Pittsburgh Penguins can secure a spot in the NHL Playoffs on April 9 by winning their game against New Jersey. If they lose, they still have several scenarios involving other teams that could allow them to clinch a playoff berth.
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Penguins NHL Playoff Clinching Scenarios: How Pittsburgh Can Earn Berth on April 9 originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Penguins can officially punch their ticket to the NHL Playoffs on Thursday.
Pittsburgh enters its matchup against New Jersey with a win-and-in scenario. If the Penguins are unable to take care of business against the Devils, there are still multiple ways that they can clinch a spot in the postseason bracket based on other results around the league.
Here's a complete breakdown on how the Penguins can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday night.
Penguins NHL Playoff clinching scenarios
Win vs. Devils
The easiest path to the playoffs for Pittsburgh? Just beat New Jersey, which has already been eliminated from postseason contention.
Overtime loss + Sabres win
If Dan Muse's squad picks up a point at the Prudential Center, it can clinch a playoff berth with a Sabres win of any kind over the Blue Jackets.
Buffalo has already clinched a playoff spot, but Lindy Ruff's team is still battling for positioning with the Lightning and Canadiens at the top of the Atlantic Division standings.
Sabres regulation win + Maple Leafs win
In the scenario in which the Penguins lose in regulation, a Sabres win in regulation and a Maple Leafs win of any kind over the Islanders would push Pittsburgh into the bracket.
Those outcomes would lower the Penguins' magic number to zero, guaranteeing a postseason appearance regardless of the final score at the Prudential Center.
Full NHL schedule for Thursday, April 9
Here is the full slate of games for Thursday, April 9:
| Game | Time (ET) |
| Maple Leafs vs. Islanders | 6:45 p.m. |
| Blue Jackets vs. Sabres | 7 p.m. |
| Lightning vs. Canadiens | 7 p.m. |
| Panthers vs. Senators | 7 p.m. |
| Flyers vs. Red Wings | 7 p.m. |
| Penguins vs. Devils | 7 p.m. |
| Jets vs. Blues | 8 p.m. |
| Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks | 8:30 p.m. |
| Wild vs. Stars | 9 p.m. |
| Flames vs. Avalanche | 9 p.m. |
| Predators vs. Mammoth | 9 p.m. |
| Sharks vs. Ducks | 10 p.m. |
| Golden Knights vs. Kraken | 10 p.m. |
| Canucks vs. Kings | 10:30 p.m. |
Penguins remaining schedule 2026
Pittsburgh has four games left in the regular season, starting with Thursday night's contest in New Jersey.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| April 9 | at Devils | 7 p.m. |
| April 11 | vs. Capitals | 3 p.m. |
| April 12 | at Capitals | 3 p.m. |
| April 14 | at Blues | 9:30 p.m. |
NHL standings 2026
Atlantic Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts |
| Buffalo Sabres* | 79 | 48 | 23 | 8 | 104 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning* | 78 | 48 | 24 | 6 | 102 |
| Montreal Canadiens* | 78 | 46 | 22 | 10 | 102 |
| Boston Bruins | 79 | 43 | 26 | 10 | 96 |
| Ottawa Senators | 78 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 92 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 78 | 40 | 29 | 9 | 89 |
| Florida Panthers*** | 78 | 37 | 37 | 4 | 78 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs*** | 78 | 32 | 32 | 14 | 78 |
Metropolitan Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts |
| Carolina Hurricanes** | 78 | 50 | 22 | 6 | 106 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 78 | 40 | 22 | 16 | 96 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 78 | 40 | 26 | 12 | 92 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 78 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 90 |
| New York Islanders | 78 | 42 | 31 | 5 | 89 |
| Washington Capitals | 79 | 40 | 30 | 9 | 89 |
| New Jersey Devils*** | 78 | 40 | 35 | 3 | 83 |
| New York Rangers*** | 79 | 33 | 37 | 9 | 75 |
*clinched playoff berth
**clinched division
***eliminated
Eastern Conference wild card
| Rank | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts |
| WC1 | Boston Bruins | 79 | 43 | 26 | 10 | 96 |
| WC2 | Ottawa Senators | 78 | 41 | 27 | 10 | 92 |
| 3 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 78 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 90 |
| 4 | Detroit Red Wings | 78 | 40 | 29 | 9 | 89 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | 78 | 42 | 31 | 5 | 89 |
| 6 | Washington Capitals | 79 | 40 | 30 | 9 | 89 |
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Q&A
What do the Penguins need to do to clinch a playoff spot on April 9?
The Penguins must win their game against the New Jersey Devils to clinch a playoff spot.
What happens if the Penguins lose to the Devils on April 9?
If the Penguins lose, they can still clinch a playoff berth depending on the outcomes of other games in the league.
Which teams are involved in the Penguins' playoff clinching scenarios?
The scenarios depend on various other teams' performances, but specific teams are not mentioned in the provided content.
When is the Penguins' crucial game against the Devils?
The Penguins' important matchup against the New Jersey Devils is scheduled for April 9.
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