NHL Schedule Today, April 4: Games, Standings, Playoff Picture and Wild Card Race
Saturday’s NHL slate features 15 games with major playoff and lottery implications across both conferences.
Colorado Avalanche
Stars’ nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The Dallas Stars have the talent, drive, coaching and goaltending to go all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and possibly win it this season. What they don’t have is an easy route to the title. The concentration of talent in the NHL’s Central Division of the Western Conference is more impressive than any […] The post Stars’ nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Wild’s consistency paces the NHL after clinching another playoff berth
The Minnesota Wild secured their place in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Minnesota’s win puts them at 42-22-11 and sends them to the playoffs for the 12th time since 2013, more than any other team in the NHL. The Wild became the fourth team […] The post Wild’s consistency paces the NHL after clinching another playoff berth appeared first on ClutchPoints.
How much better is the Avalanche power play since adding Nazem Kadri?
The Colorado Avalanche have been dominating the competition in the NHL throughout the season. While they have not been able to keep up the pace they had earlier in the season when they had just two regulation losses through the first three months of the season, the Avalanche is on pace to win the Presidents […] The post How much better is the Avalanche power play since adding Nazem Kadri? appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Kings’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday to pull into the second wild card spot in the Western Conference with eight games left to play. Now, they hope they can hold onto it, or perhaps, pull into the first wild card spot, or even move up in the division. The last […] The post Kings’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche’s Jared Bednar drops ‘no excuse’ truth bomb after Canucks loss
The Colorado Avalanche went into their game at Ball Arena with the Vancouver Canucks as overwhelming favorites. But the Avalanche laid an egg, losing 8-6 to the NHL’s worst team, surrendering multiple goals early on. Coach Jared Bednar spoke after the loss to the Canucks, stating there was no excuse, according to Ryan Boulding, NHL […] The post Avalanche’s Jared Bednar drops ‘no excuse’ truth bomb after Canucks loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Nordiques jersey curse continues after Avalanche’s shocking loss vs. Canucks
The hockey gods might have something against the Colorado Avalanche this season for rubbing Quebec Nordiques fans’ noses in the fact that they stole their home team. 30 years ago, the Quebec franchise relocated to Colorado, just as they were on the cusp of greatness. That same season, the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, and […] The post Nordiques jersey curse continues after Avalanche’s shocking loss vs. Canucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche Coach Warns His Team After 8-6 Loss to Canucks
Jared Bednar warns Avalanche after shocking 8-6 loss to Canucks.
Avalanche’s Cale Makar to miss games with injury, expected back for playoffs
The Colorado Avalanche will be missing the services of star defenseman Cale Makar for at least the next few games, according to Avs head coach Jared Bednar. “He’s doing OK,” Bednar said on Wednesday before sharing that the blueliner will be sidelined for now, via NHL.com. “He’s going to miss some time, though. Like nothing […] The post Avalanche’s Cale Makar to miss games with injury, expected back for playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche Coach Shares Update on Cale Makar's Injury
Cale Makar set to miss time as Avalanche prioritize recovery before playoffs.
Colorado Avalanche HC Flatly Denies Doomsday Scenario in Cale Makar Injury Update
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar eases fans' worries with an update on Cale Makar injury.
Sharks’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The San Jose Sharks are pushing for their first Stanley Cup Playoffs berth since 2019 on the back of Macklin Celebrini. The 19-year-old has 101 points in 72 games, 50 more points than any of his teammates. Even with some recent struggles, they have a chance to make the playoffs with ten games to play. […] The post Sharks’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Stars’ Glen Gulutzan makes stern demand with Central Division slipping away
The Dallas Stars have struggled as of late despite being one of the NHL’s best teams. Dallas has young stars such as Wyatt Johnston making a major impact, but the results have not gone their way recently. Head coach Glen Gulutzan watched as his team lost its seventh game over its last nine contests on […] The post Stars’ Glen Gulutzan makes stern demand with Central Division slipping away appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Lightning’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The Tampa Bay Lightning may not be playing their best hockey as the regular season comes to a close, but there’s no reason that head coach Jon Cooper’s team won’t feel quite a bit of confidence once the playoffs get underway. The Lightning combine explosive offensive skills with Nikita Kucherov at the top of the […] The post Lightning’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
ClutchPoints’ NHL Power Rankings, Week 23: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights going through changes
All the way back in 2000, the playoff-bound New Jersey Devils fired head coach Larry Robinson 74 games into the season, replaced him with Robbie Ftorek, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. A full 26 years later, the Vegas Golden Knights are hoping to follow a similar blueprint after shockingly replacing Bruce Cassidy […] The post ClutchPoints’ NHL Power Rankings, Week 23: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights going through changes appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Oilers’ nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
This has not been the kind of season that head coach Kris Knoblauch or Connor McDavid anticipated for the Edmonton Oilers. After back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers had established themselves as a Western Conference powerhouse with the ability to string peak performances together. But the 2025-26 regular season has seen regression. […] The post Oilers’ nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche Injury Update: Medical Expert Fears Worst for Makar
The next Colorado Avalanche injury update could have devastating news as one renowned medical expert fears the worst. The post Avalanche Injury Update: Medical Expert Fears Worst for Makar appeared first on Heavy Sports.
Avalanche’s Cale Makar suffers upper-body injury during Flames clash
The Colorado Avalanche took on the Calgary Flames in a late-season matchup. This game featured a bit of emotion, as Nazem Kadri faced his former team for the first time since a trade earlier in March. After the game, though, Colorado received unfortunate news regarding defenseman Cale Makar. Makar left the game on Monday night […] The post Avalanche’s Cale Makar suffers upper-body injury during Flames clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy gets ‘definite’ injury update amid playoff push
The Colorado Avalanche have been the best team in the NHL nearly all year long. At the NHL trade deadline, the team got even better, as Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy both joined the Avalanche. Still, Roy played just nine games with the franchise before going down with an injury on March 22 against the […] The post Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy gets ‘definite’ injury update amid playoff push appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Nazem Kadri’s ‘special’ message on Avalanche fan reception since Flames trade
The Colorado Avalanche traded for Nazem Kadri in a huge deadline day deal with the Calgary Flames. It was a last-minute blockbuster that stunned the hockey world at the time. And it brought a Stanley Cup champion back to the club he won the title with back in 2022. Avalanche fans were certainly pleased with […] The post Nazem Kadri’s ‘special’ message on Avalanche fan reception since Flames trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Mammoth’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The Utah Mammoth have an inside track to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in just their second season. Taking the Arizona Coyotes core, they have supplemented through trades and free agency to put together a nice season. But that does not mean they will have a clear path in the postseason. Because of how top-heavy […] The post Mammoth’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
When Is The Last Regular Season NHL Game? Standings and Playoff Seeding Update
The Colorado Avalanche wrap up the regular season on April 16 as bubble teams fight to secure final wild-card playoff spots.
Ducks’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
When the 2025-26 season started, there was a thought that the Anaheim Ducks would show some improvement and contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The addition of veteran head coach Joel Quenneville would certainly get the attention of the young players on the roster. He led the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley […] The post Ducks’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Avalanche’s dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
There aren’t many surprises when it comes to the path that the Colorado Avalanche are going to take in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It would take a monumental collapse to relinquish the President’s Trophy, which gives them home ice throughout the playoffs. Their opponent in the first round is more up in the air, but […] The post Avalanche’s dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.