NHL 2025 Playoff Clinching/Elimination Scenarios – 04/01/2025

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 1, 2025.

Clinching Scenarios

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes, who are not playing, will clinch a playoff berth if:

The Montreal Canadiens lose to the Florida Panthers in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, SCRIPPS)

OR

The Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Nashville Predators in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNSO)

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who are not playing, will clinch a playoff berth if:

The Canadiens lose to the Panthers in any fashion

OR

The Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in any fashion

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; Disney+, HULU, ESPN+, SN360)

AND

The Canadiens lose to the Panthers in regulation

AND

The Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the Canadiens in regulation

AND

The Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth if:

They defeat the Edmonton Oilers in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, SN1, TVAS)

OR

If the Calgary Flames lose to the Utah Hockey Club in regulation (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, SNW)

OR

If they get one point vs. the Oilers

AND

either of the following occurs:

The Flames lose to Utah in any fashion
The St. Louis Blues lose to the Detroit Red Wings in regulation (8 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, FDSNDET)

Elimination Scenarios

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion

AND

The Blues defeat the Red Wings in any fashion