NHL Schedule Today, April 5: Games, Standings, Playoff Picture and Wild Card Race
Sunday's NHL slate features seven games with major playoff and lottery implications across both conferences.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Sabres officially clinching playoff spot has fans going wild
When the Buffalo Sabres last competed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, President Barack Obama still had more than a year and a half remaining in his first term, Adele was exploding into global stardom after dropping her Grammy-winning album “21,” the final “Harry Potter” film was still three months away from hitting theaters and The […] The post Sabres officially clinching playoff spot has fans going wild appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Sabres Officially End NHL's Longest Playoff Drought, But Are They A Contender?
Buffalo Sabres snap NHL-record playoff drought, return to postseason with Lindy Ruff back behind the bench and a young core aiming to make noise.
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.
Golden Knights Rumors: Vegas Could Be Looking at Alex Pietrangelo Déjà Vu Situation
Vegas Golden Knights face concern as Mark Stone's injury worries spark Alex Pietrangelo-like speculation.
Rod Brind’Amour sends defiant message after Hurricanes clinch playoff berth
The Carolina Hurricanes became the first Eastern Conference team to clinch their berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday evening. It has been a successful run for Rod Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes, but it hasn’t led to much postseason success. In a wide-open conference, Carolina has an intriguing opportunity in front of them this year, and […] The post Rod Brind’Amour sends defiant message after Hurricanes clinch playoff berth 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.
Lightning’s Victor Hedman placed on LTIR after personal leave
The Tampa Bay Lightning have high hopes of a dominant run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this seasons and bringing home another Stanley Cup title. They have demonstrated their high level of play this season when they went on a 19-1-1 streak earlier in the year, and there’s little doubt that the Lightning can play […] The post Lightning’s Victor Hedman placed on LTIR after personal leave 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.
Hurricanes’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs
The Carolina Hurricanes are as consistent as a metronome — at least as far as the regular season is concerned. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has a team that brings it on a regular basis from October through the early part of April. The Hurricanes play with speed, precision and just enough snarl to have their […] The post Hurricanes’ dream seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
NHL Trade Rumors: Insider Sheds Light on Canadiens’ Pursuit of Maple Leafs’ $46.5M Star
Here is the new information regarding the Montreal Canadians' desire to explore a significant deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Canadiens starting defenseman out 2-4 weeks with upper-body injury
The Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday announced that defenseman Alexandre Carrier will miss two to four weeks with an upper-body injury. Carrier, who joined Montreal in a midseason trade from the Nashville Predators last season, has played in all 77 games during the 2025-26 season, putting up a 7-15–22 scoring line with a +2 rating. The […] The post Canadiens starting defenseman out 2-4 weeks with upper-body injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Kings’ Trevor Moore gets ‘dangerous’ praise after OT winner vs. Blues
Trevor Moore and the Los Angeles Kings picked up a huge win on Wednesday over the St. Louis Blues. The Kings are in contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And this win brought Los Angeles into sole possession of the final Wild Card spot in the West with eight games remaining. The Kings and Blues […] The post Kings’ Trevor Moore gets ‘dangerous’ praise after OT winner vs. Blues appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Blues’ Robert Thomas drops ‘disappointing’ message after Kings loss
The St. Louis Blues are in contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a brutal start to the season. However, they need all the points they can get from their few remaining games. Robert Thomas and his teammates played a direct postseason rival in the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, results did not […] The post Blues’ Robert Thomas drops ‘disappointing’ message after Kings loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini opens up on ‘exciting’ playoff push after 4-point game
The San Jose Sharks are heating up right before the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Macklin Celebrini’s unbelievable sophomore season has given the young Sharks a chance at postseason hockey. And on Wednesday night, he continued his effort to will San Jose into a playoff spot. Celebrini and his teammates took on a formidable opponent in the […] The post Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini opens up on ‘exciting’ playoff push after 4-point game appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier gets ominous injury update from Joel Quenneville
The Radko Gudas-Auston Matthews drama stole the headlines for Monday night’s matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, but Cutter Gauthier’s injury timeline could have lasting effects. The Ducks’ breakout star left the game after scoring a powerplay goal, and it doesn’t look like he will be returning for their next game, according […] The post Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier gets ominous injury update from Joel Quenneville appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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.
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.
3 early Rangers trade candidates after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The New York Rangers will likely finish the season in last place in the Eastern Conference. Mike Sullivan’s first year on Broadway has been nothing short of a disaster, and things have to change this offseason. The Rangers will be active in the trade market as their re-tool begins, with Vincent Trocheck among the top […] The post 3 early Rangers trade candidates after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Ducks’ Leo Carlsson suffers injury scare during Maple Leafs clash
The Anaheim Ducks are facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. It’s a game that’s expected to be intense following the Radko Gudas-Auston Matthews incident earlier in March. Though the intensity has not led to any major incidents, the Ducks got a major scare when it came to star forward Leo Carlsson. […] The post Ducks’ Leo Carlsson suffers injury scare during Maple Leafs clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Red Wings’ Todd McLellan drops sobering practice admission amid intense playoff race
The Detroit Red Wings are fighting for their playoff lives as they prepare for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Detroit is looking to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016. Unfortunately, head coach Todd McLellan is still looking for more effort out of his players. Detroit showed this effort against […] The post Red Wings’ Todd McLellan drops sobering practice admission amid intense playoff race appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Maple Leafs, Oilers Just Got Handed a Major Lifeline For Potential Summer Coaching Change
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers could explore offseason coaching changes after Bruce Cassidy became available.
Sidney Crosby status up in the air for Penguins-Islanders game amid lower-body injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins are trying to skate into the postseason, and need star Sidney Crosby in order to do that. Crosby has been dealing with a lower-body injury, which has left him off the ice in recent days. Pittsburgh’s star center is getting an injury update, ahead of a Penguins-New York Islanders game on Monday. […] The post Sidney Crosby status up in the air for Penguins-Islanders game amid lower-body injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen vocal on ‘exciting’ surge amid playoff race
Rasmus Ristolainen and the Philadelphia Flyers have their eyes set on a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. Philadelphia had a bit of a rough time of it earlier in the year. However, they have pulled themselves together at the best possible time. This was on display when they took down the Dallas […] The post Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen vocal on ‘exciting’ surge amid playoff race appeared first on ClutchPoints.