NHL Clinching Scenarios: Will Ducks fly into first playoff berth since 2018?
Welcome to the home stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season. This deep into the schedule, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot, division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re breaking down what you need to know every day between now and the end of the season April 16.
So what’s at stake across the crucial six-game slate for Sunday, April 12?
– The Washington Capitals (41-30-9) will be eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoff race if they lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in regulation Sunday. The only spot the Caps are mathematically eligible to win is the No. 3 Metropolitan Division seed, currently held by the Philadelphia Flyers.
– The New York Islanders (43-32-5) are on the brink today. They will miss out on that hotly contested No. 3 playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division if they lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation or the Capitals beat the Penguins AND the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Boston Bruins in regulation. There are several other scenarios that can eliminate the Isles Sunday, all of which depend on the results of the Capitals’ and Blue Jackets’ games. You can find them all here.
– The Anaheim Ducks (42-32-5) will clinch a playoff berth, their first since 2017-18, if they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion Sunday night.
– Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer tied Brian Leetch for the most goals by a rookie defensemen in NHL history three days ago. Schaefer’s next goal this season will be his 24th and give him the standalone record.
– Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki needs one point to become the franchise’s first 100-point scorer since Mats Naslund in 1985-86, 40 years ago.
– With an assist Sunday, Blue Jackets blueliner Zach Werenski will set a franchise single-season record for assists in a season with 60.
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PRESENTED BY STAKE
