NHL 2025 Playoff Clinching/Elimination Scenarios – 04/08/2025

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are approaching, and teams are officially clinching playoff berths and being eliminated from contention. Here are the potential scenarios where teams can clinch or be eliminated on April 8, 2025.

Clinching Scenarios

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators can clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, TSN5, RDS2)

OR

The Detroit Red Wings lose to the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, FDSNDETX)

OR

They get one point against the Blue Jackets

AND

Any result in the Red Wings/Canadiens game other than a Red Wings regulation win

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils will clinch a playoff berth if:

They earn at least one point against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET; NESN, MSG, SN360)

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals, who are not playing, will clinch the first spot on the Metropolitan division if:

The Carolina Hurricanes lose to the Buffalo Sabres in regulation (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, MSG-B)

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs will clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 if:

They defeat the Florida Panthers in regulation (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, TSN4)

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes will clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 if:

They defeat the Sabres in any fashion 

AND

The Devils lose to the Bruins in any fashion

OR

They get one point against the Sabres

AND

The Devils lose to the Bruins in regulation

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars will clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 if:

They defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, SNP)

OR

The Colorado Avalanche lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in regulation (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360)

OR

They get one point against the Canucks

AND

The Avalanche lose to the Golden Knights in any fashion

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights will clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 if:

They get at least one point against the Avalanche

Elimination Scenarios

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Hurricanes in regulation

OR

The Canadiens defeat the Red Wings in any fashion

OR

The Sabres lose to the Hurricanes in overtime/shootout

AND

The Canadiens lose to the Red Wings in overtime/shootout

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Senators in regulation

AND

The Canadiens defeat the Red Wings in regulation

Utah Hockey Club

The Utah Hockey Club will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Seattle Kraken in any fashion (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, KHN, KONG)

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Stars in regulation