NHL Playoff Seeding and Draft Lottery Stakes on Final Day

The 2025-26 NHL regular season concludes with six games that will finalize playoff seeding and draft lottery order. The Stanley Cup playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, with all 16 teams confirmed for the postseason. However, three teams are still competing for seeding in the Pacific Division, while non-playoff teams are vying for positions in the draft lottery ahead of the event on May 5.

Game Previews ### St. Louis Blues at Utah Mammoth, 7:30 p.m.

ET (ESPN) The Mammoth secured the first wild-card spot earlier this week and will face the Golden Knights in the playoffs. The Blues are currently 10th in the draft lottery order. A loss would allow them to move ahead of the Panthers and potentially the Sharks, depending on other game outcomes.

Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.

ET (ESPN+) The Ducks have been competitive this season, having held the top spot in the Pacific Division for a significant period. They are currently third in the division and can move to second with a win and a regulation loss by the Oilers.

San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.

ET (ESPN+) The Sharks will miss the postseason. The Jets, who had a strong season last year, are now seventh in the draft lottery order.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.

ET (ESPN+) The Kings are motivated to improve their playoff matchup. They are currently tied in points with the Ducks and can move up to second place with a win and favorable results from other games.

The Flames, meanwhile, are third in the draft lottery order and will remain there with a loss.

Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.

ET (ESPN+) The Oilers need just one point to secure the No. 2 position in the Pacific Division. A regulation loss could see them drop to third or even into a wild-card spot, depending on the outcomes of other games.

The Canucks have already clinched the NHL's worst record and the top spot in the draft lottery order.

Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche, 10 p.m.

ET (ESPN) The Avalanche have clinched the Presidents' Trophy and will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Kraken are locked into the No. 6 position in the draft lottery order, which has historically yielded mixed results in terms of player success.

Current Standings and Playoff Matchups As of now, the playoff matchups are set, with teams in bold indicating their locked positions.

The NHL draft lottery will determine the order of selection for the first round, with the last-place team not guaranteed the No. 1 pick.

Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots if they win the lottery, making the draft lottery a significant event for non-playoff teams.