What’s at Stake in the NHL: Habs can punch playoff ticket Sunday

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 seven-game slate for Sunday, April 5?

– The Carolina Hurricanes (49-21-6) will win the Metropolitan Division for the fourth time in the past six seasons if they collect one or more points versus the Ottawa Senators OR if the Pittsburgh Penguins do anything other than beat the Florida Panthers in regulation on Sunday.

– Will the Montreal Canadiens (45-21-10) be the next Eastern Conference team to lock up a playoff spot? They clinch Sunday if the Senators lose to the Hurricanes or if the Detroit Red Wings lose to the Minnesota Wild. The Habs can clinch Sunday even if they accomplish nothing against the New Jersey Devils.

– If the Colorado Avalanche (50-15-10) defeat the St. Louis Blues in any fashion Sunday, the Avs clinch the top overall seed in the Western Conference for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Presidents’ Trophy will have to wait; the Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning are still mathematically eligible and don’t play on Sunday. Even the Habs are still mathematically eligible.

– Cole Caufield is one goal away from becoming the Montreal Canadiens’ first 50-goal scorer since Stephane Richer in 1989-90.

– With one point on Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby will reach 70 for the season. Sunday will mark his 66th game played, and with only five games left on the Pens’ schedule, he can only top out at 70 games played this season. That means a 70th point will clinch an NHL-record 21st consecutive point-per-game season for Crosby.

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PRESENTED BY STAKE