There have been changes in the Eastern Conference playoff teams recently, with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes leading the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions. The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders are two teams that have been making moves in the standings.
As the race for the top spots in the division tightens, the Penguins and Islanders are in contention for the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. If they end up in those positions, they will face each other in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The final regular-season matchup between the Penguins and Islanders is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network. The teams have split their season series so far, making this game crucial for their playoff standings.
Currently, the Islanders hold the No. 2 spot with 89 points and 28 regulation wins in 74 games, while the Penguins are in third with 88 points and 29 regulation wins in 73 games. The chances of them facing each other in the first round are around 27.03%, according to Stathletes projections.
The race for playoff spots is expected to go down to the wire as every team has no more than 11 games left before the regular season ends on April 16. Stay tuned to the NHL playoff watch for updates on the playoff races and the teams vying for positions in the draft lottery.
(Note: Playoff chances data is provided by Stathletes)
