NHL 2025 Playoff Clinching/Elimination Scenarios – 04/12/2025

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 12, 2025.

Clinching Scenarios

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens can clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNP)

OR

They defeat the Maple Leafs

AND

The Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Washington Capitals in any fashion (12:30 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS)

OR

They defeat the Maple Leafs in overtime/shootout

AND

The Blue Jackets earn an overtime/shootout win against the Capitals

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild can clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, CITY, FDSNNO, FDSNWI)

AND

The St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation (10 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, KHN, KONG)

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets can clinch the top seed in the Western Conference (and Central Division) if:

They earn at least one point against the Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. ET; CHSN, NHLN, SNW, CITY)

OR

The Dallas Stars defeat the Utah Hockey Club in overtime or shootout (8 p.m. ET; Utah16, Victory+)

OR

The Stars lose to Utah in any fashion

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights can clinch the top seed in the Pacific Division if:

They defeat the Nashville Predators in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SCRIPPS)

OR

The Los Angeles Kings lose to the Colorado Avalanche in regulation (4 p.m. ET; FDSNW, ALT)

OR

They defeat the Predators in overtime/shootout

AND

The Kings defeat the Avalanche in overtime/shootout

OR

They earn at least one point against the Predators

AND

The Kings lose to the Avalanche in overtime/shootout

Elimination Scenarios

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Philadelphia Flyers in any fashion (12:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NBCSP)

OR

The Canadiens earn at least one point against the Maple Leafs

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings, who are not playing, will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

The Canadiens earn at least one point against the Maple Leafs

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS)

OR

The Canadiens earn at least one point against the Maple Leafs

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets will eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Capitals in regulation

OR

The Canadiens earn a regulation win against the Maple Leafs

OR

They earn one point against the Capitals

AND

The Canadiens earn one point against the Maple Leafs