NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: These Teams Have Qualified for the Postseason

Find out here which franchises will be battling for the Stanley Cup that can be seen live on DAZN (excl. US and Canada). Although only a few games remain on the NHL regular-season schedule, it is now officially confirmed which teams have earned the right to compete in the playoffs for hockey's most coveted trophy: the Stanley Cup.

See which teams are bound for the playoffs below. 

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NHL Playoffs: These Teams Have Qualified for the Postseason

In the Western Conference, all eight spots for the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been secured.

These franchises are locked in for the NHL postseason:

• Colorado Avalanche: The Presidents' Trophy winner was the first team to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs—doing so several weeks ago. Now, the Colorado-based franchise aims to maintain that high level of performance in the postseason to bring a fourth Stanley Cup to Denver. Record: 53-16-11, 117 pts.
• Dallas Stars: The Avs' rival qualified for the postseason shortly after them. In particular, the Finnish core—also known as the "Finnish Mafia"—looks to finally bring Lord Stanley's Cup to Texas for the second time, following several seasons spent among the NHL's elite. Record: 49-20-12, 110 pts.
• Minnesota Wild: Following their blockbuster trade for superstar defenseman and Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, the Wild have made it clear that they are serious contenders this season. Qualifying for the NHL postseason marks one step completed; now, the goal is to bring the first Cup in franchise history to St. Paul. Record: 45-24-12, 102 pts.
• Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights are also back in the postseason. As the second team from the Pacific Division to qualify, the Knights are ready to join the battle for the Stanley Cup. Now, they look to achieve a second major success—following their 2023 championship—by winning the Stanley Cup once again. Record: 38-26-17, 93 pts.
• Edmonton Oilers: The finalists from 2024 and 2025 are back in the playoffs once again, hoping for a third consecutive trip to the Finals—this time ending in triumph. While the road ahead remains long, the Alberta-based franchise is planning for another deep playoff run. Record: 40-30-11, 91 pts.
• Anaheim Ducks: The Orange County-based team currently sits in third place in the Pacific Division and has qualified for the playoffs. This marks the first postseason appearance since 2018 for the California franchise. Record: 42-32-6, 90 pts.
• Utah Mammoth: For the first time since relocating from Arizona to Utah in 2024, the Mammoth have reached the postseason. They have secured the first Wild Card spot. Now, the Salt Lake City team is viewed as a wild card—an unpredictable factor—as they look to upset some of the favorites. Record: 42-32-6, 90 pts.
• Los Angeles Kings: The Los Angeles Kings currently hold the second Wild Card spot. The two-time Stanley Cup champions have reached the playoffs once again—fittingly, in Anze Kopitar's final season—and are now aiming to make a deep playoff run. Record: 35-26-19, 89 pts.
   

In the Eastern Conference, all eight teams have likewise qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

These teams from the East are locked in:

• Carolina Hurricanes: After many years among the Eastern Conference's elite, the Hurricanes are now aiming to go all the way and bring the Stanley Cup back to North Carolina for the second time since 2006. The first step—reaching the postseason—has been successfully taken. Record: 52-22-7, 111 pts.
• Pittsburgh Penguins: After missing the playoffs last year, the Pittsburgh Penguins—led by veteran star Sidney Crosby—are making a return to the postseason fray. As the second-place team in the Metropolitan Division, the Pens head into the battle for the Stanley Cup. Record: 41-24-16, 98 pts.
• Philadelphia Flyers: The Broad Street Bullies sit in third place in their division, having clinched a playoff berth with a 3–2 shootout victory over the Hurricanes. It is now official: the "Battle of Pennsylvania" against their rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is on. Record: 42-27-12, 96 pts.
• Buffalo Sabres: The longest playoff drought across the four major North American professional sports leagues has come to an end. Hockey-crazed Buffalo is back in the NHL postseason for the first time since 2011. They have even secured first place in the fiercely contested Atlantic Division. Record: 50-23-8, 108 pts.
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa, too, has firmly secured its spot in the NHL postseason. It remains unclear whether they will finish in second or third place in the Atlantic Division. Regardless, they have reached the playoffs and are looking to reclaim the NHL crown—last won in 2021. Record: 50-25-6, 106 pts.
• Montreal Canadiens: For the second consecutive season, the Habs find themselves back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they are battling with the Lightning for second place in the division. Following their early playoff exit last year, the record champions are now aiming to advance significantly further—and must face Tampa in Round 1. Record: 48-23-10, 106 pts.
• Boston Bruins: Marco Sturm, the first German head coach in the NHL, has achieved the unexpected with Boston, guiding the Bruins back to the playoffs in his inaugural season as head coach. Now, they have what it takes to continue surprising everyone as a dark horse contender. Record: 44-27-10, 98 pts.
• Ottawa Senators: They had to sweat it out for a long time—standing in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference as recently as two months ago—but now the Canadian capital team is back in the playoffs. Their goal is to advance further than they did last year (a first-round exit against Toronto). Record: 43-27-11, 97 pts.
   

NHL Playoffs: These Teams Have Qualified for the Postseason – Watch the NHL via LIVE STREAM on NHL.TV on DAZN

You can follow the playoffs—and the battle for the Stanley Cup—via LIVE STREAM on DAZN. Starting this season, the sports streaming service is offering NHL.tv, ensuring you won't miss a single second of the on-ice action. To watch the NHL, you will need a paid subscription. You have a choice between two packages.

The first is the Season Pass. For €39.99, you can watch all remaining games shown on NHL.TV. You can watch the NHL simultaneously on two devices in over 200 countries worldwide. In addition, you get access to game highlights and full replays of every match.

The second package is the Season Pass Ultimate. For just ten euros more for the remainder of the season (€49.99), you get everything included in the standard Season Pass. However, this package also adds the "Multiview" option, allowing you to watch up to four games of your choice simultaneously via split screen.

On top of that, you can stream the NHL on up to five devices at the same time at NHL.TV on DAZN.