Wild Week Ahead
2026-04-10We are down to the last week of the MRFHL regular season and 9 of the 16 playoff spots are still up for grabs. So we’ll take a quick look at the races that still need to be decided.
DAIGLE 3RD
(3R) MTL - 93PTS (vs.CBJ, @NYI, @PHI)
BRENDL 3RD
(3R) NJD - 93 PTS (@DET, vs.OTT, @BOS)
WILDCARD
(3R) OTT - 93PTS (@NYI, @NJD, vs.TOR)
(3R) BOS - 91 PTS (vs.TBL, @CBJ, vs.NJD)
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(3R) WSH - 88 PTS (@PIT, vs.PIT, @CBJ)
(3R) CAR - 88 PTS (@UTA, @PHI, @NYI)
Taking a look first at the East because the races are a bit more settled than the other conference, with very few battles between the playoff hopefuls. One more win and New Jersey locks in their spot, while the wildcard teams have left maybe just a touch too late in their push. Of all the teams listed, almost all of them have been playing .500 hockey in the last 10 except for the red hot Hurricanes, which has left the window open longer than expected. The big fight will be between the three Daigle teams for seeding. Right now on paper, finishing in the first Wildcard spot is the most desirable spot to be in to take on the Rangers, as the other two spots have them lined up directly with the Leafs and Red Wings. Ottawa of the three has the toughest schedule playing all playoff teams in their final stretch, whereas Boston gets the opportunity to play the bottom feeding Lightning. Of the teams outside the playoffs, Washington has the lightest schedule and if they can sweep those final games against non-playoff teams, they might just have a shot.
BRENDL 2 & 3
(4R) SEA - 88 PTS (vs.CGY, vs.LAK, @VGK, @COL)
(3R) EDM - 88 PTS (@LAK, vs.COL, vs.VAN)
STEFAN 3
(4R) STL - 90 PTS (@CHI, vs.MIN, vs.PIT, @UTA)
WILDCARD
(3R) CHI - 89 PTS (vs.STL, vs.BUF, vs.SJS)
(3R) DAL - 89 PTS (vs.NYR, @TOR, @BUF)
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(3R) NSH - 88 PTS (vs.MIN, vs.SJS, vs.ANA)
(4R) VAN - 87 PTS (@SJS, @ANA, vs.LAK, @EDM)
(4R) COL - 86 PTS (vs.VGK, @EDM, @CGY, vs.SEA)
(4R) SJS - 84 PTS (vs.VAN, @NSH, @CHI, @WPG)
The race in the West is way more intriguing with races happening all over the place. In the Brendl the Kraken have the advantage with the extra game in hand over the Oilers, while having a fairly soft schedule to end it. The Oilers and Canucks have been keeping pace as they’ve actually gained a point on the Kraken in the last 10, which has put all three of them within a point of each other. The Canucks also have a game in hand on the Oilers and the two play each other to end the season, so after a dreadful start to the year, Vancouver definitely controls their own destiny at this point. It is worth noting that Hellebuyck has to sit out one of those last four games for Vancouver. So do they try to lock it down before the game against the Oilers or save him for a potential do or die game?
The Stefan is equally as tight, with four teams within two points of each other, all vying for at least 2 spots, potentially 3. The Blues and Blackhawks game increases the odds exponentially for whoever wins that game, though the Blues do have the game in hand and a couple of home dates against teams they should beat. Dallas has an odd end to the schedule as they play exclusively Eastern conference teams, including both division leaders. If they can beat one of them and take the game against the Sabres, it should save them a spot. Nashville gets to end the season at home, but it’s not like that’s been a big advantage for them this year. If Beamer is nice, he could do a big favour for the Predators. Colorado and San Jose have a bigger hill to climb and their odds are far less than their opponents, though both do have the game advantage over the 3 divisional opponents ahead of them. The Avalanche get two games against teams that are already eliminated while also playing two games against teams fighting for their lives. The Sharks don’t have an easy path as every game left is against playoff teams, and it's at the point where they could go 4 for 4 and that still might not even be enough.
REMAINING SCHEDULE:
Saturday April 11th
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators @ New York Islanders
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings
New Jersey Devils @ Detroit Red Wings
St. Louis Blues @ Chicago Blackhawks
Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars
Carolina Hurricanes @ Utah Mammoth
Calgary Flames @ Seattle Kraken
Vegas Golden Knights @ Colorado Avalanche
Vancouver Canucks @ San Jose Sharks
Sunday April 12th
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals
Montreal Canadiens @ New York Islanders
Boston Bruins @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils
Vancouver Canucks @ Anaheim Ducks
Monday April 13th
Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers
Dallas Stars @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Minneosta Wild @ St. Louis Blues
San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators
Buffalo Sabres @ Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche @ Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings @ Seattle Kraken
Tuesday April 14th
New Jersey Devils @ Boston Bruins
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders
Washington Capitals @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames
Pittsburgh Penguins @ St. Louis Blues
Los Angeles Kings @ Vancouver Canucks
Wednesday April 15th
Dallas Stars @ Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators
San Jose Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks
Seattle Kraken @ Vegas Golden Knights
Thursday April 16th
Anaheim Ducks @ Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks @ Winnipeg Jets
St. Louis Blues @ Utah Mammoth
Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers
Seattle Kraken @ Colorado Avalanche
Gonna be a hell of a last few games. Let's go Blues!
Wild Week Ahead
A look at the remaining matchups that will determine the final playoff spots
So well laid out and detailed. What’s your twitter handle? I need to follow this kind content haha. Thanks for a great Season Dylan!
Wild Week Ahead
A look at the remaining matchups that will determine the final playoff spots
Gotta think New Jersey is a contender for GM of the year, what an incredible turnaround from where the team has been the last while (especially with having so little to trade in order to acquire talent). If Vancouver makes the playoffs, kinda want to nominate Rino for the Bill Masterton... the team was basically dead. Beamer wins my affection — but not as much as you for saying that the first wildcard spot is most desirable so they don't have to face me (or Austin).
Wild Week Ahead
A look at the remaining matchups that will determine the final playoff spots