With the 2025-26 NHL season nearing its end, Saturday's games feature high-stakes matchups as teams battle for playoff spots. Key games include the Bruins and Capitals, fighting for a wild card position, with the Capitals trying to chase down the Bruins. The playoff races and 2026 NHL draft lottery are also in focus.
The 2025-26 NHL season is closing in on its final 30 days, and Saturday's slate provides a number of high-intensity matchups. With 14 games on the schedule -- including five starting at 7 p.m. ET -- it's another night where a multi-view option will be a necessity.
However, one of the most critical games to the playoff bubble takes place in the middle of the afternoon, as the The Bruins enter the game as the second Eastern Conference wild card, having generated 78 standings points through 65 games. The Capitals are part of the logjam of teams trying to chase them down, with 73 points through 67 games., the Bruins have one of the more favorable remaining schedules -- and they've beaten the Caps twice already this season, including 3-1 this past Saturday.Whichever of these teams winds up earning the second wild card, a tough task awaits in the first round of the playoffs: a series against either the. Coincidentally, those who want to efficiently scout the Canes and Lightning are in luck: Tampa Bay hosts Carolina at 7 p.m. Every team has fewer than 20 games left before the regular season concludes April 16, and we'll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick.10-year-old accused of stabbing student at South Bay school: officials
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