NHL 2025 Playoff Clinching/Elimination Scenarios – 04/13/2025

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 13, 2025.

Clinching Scenarios

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens, who are not playing, can clinch a playoff berth, and will face the Washington Capitals in Round 1 if:

The Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any fashion (6 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MNMT)

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild, who are not playing, can clinch a playoff berth if:

The Calgary Flames lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues, who are not playing, can clinch a playoff berth if:

The Flames lose to the Sharks in regulation

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets can clinch the Presidents’ Trophy if:

They defeat the Edmonton Oilers in any fashion

OR

The Capitals lose to the Blue Jackets in regulation

OR

Thye lose to the Oilers in overtime/shootout

AND

The Capitals lose to the Blue Jackets in overtime/shootout

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch the top seed in the Atlantic Division if:

They defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion (5 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SNO)

AND

The Tampa Bay Lightning lose to the Buffalo Sabres in any fashion

OR

They lose to the Hurricanes in overtime/shootout

AND

The Lightning lose to the Sabres in regulation

Elimination Scenarios

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Capitals in any fashion

Calgary Flames

The Flames will be eliminated from playoff contention if:

They lose to the Sharks in regulation