We’ve reached the eventful final stretch of the NHL season. At this point, something significant is on the line virtually every day, whether it’s a playoff spot or division title to clinch or a major individual milestone. At Daily Faceoff, we’re here to break down exactly what you need to know between now and the end of the season April 17.



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So what’s at stake across the 11-game slate for Saturday, April 12?



– The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations">Montreal Canadiens </a>(39-31-9) failed to clinch a playoff spot last night but get another chance tonight. They will punch their ticket and eliminate the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/line-combinations">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> (36-33-9) if (a) they beat the Maple Leafs in regulation, (b) they win in overtime or a shootout AND the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Washington Capitals, (c) they collect a point and the Blue Jackets lose or (d) they win in overtime or a shootout and the Blue Jackets lose in overtime or a shootout. <div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="160"></div>



– If the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">New York Rangers</a> (37-35-7) lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion OR the Habs collect even a single point, the Rangers are eliminated. The. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-islanders/line-combinations">New York Islanders</a>‘ (34-33-11) conditions are identical: a loss or a Habs point will knock them out. A single point from the Canadiens will also mathematically eliminate the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/detroit-red-wings/line-combinations">Detroit Red Wings</a> (37-35-7).



– The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/winnipeg-jets/line-combinations">Winnipeg Jets</a> (54-21-4) earned a four-point swing with a win over the Dallas Stars Thursday and can clinch the Central Division and No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference Saturday. It happens if the Jets collect even a single point against the Blackhawks OR if the Stars do anything but defeat the Utah Hockey Club in regulation.



– If the Jets do clinch Saturday, that cements the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations">Dallas Stars</a> (50-23-6) vs. the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/colorado-avalanche/line-combinations">Colorado Avalanche</a> (48-28-4) as a round 1 matchup. Colorado is locked into the 3 seed already.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="151"></div>



– The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/minnesota-wild/line-combinations">Minnesota Wild </a>(43-30-7) will clinch a playoff spot Saturday if they beat the Vancouver Canucks AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation.



– The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/vegas-golden-knights/line-combinations">Vegas Golden Knights</a> (48-22-9) win the Pacific Division if (a) they beat the Nashville Predators, (b) the Los Angeles Kings lose to the Colorado Avalanche, (c) they collect at least a point and the Kings don’t win in regulation; or (d) they collect at least a point and the Kings get one point or fewer.



– If the Golden Knights do clinch, that guarantees a fourth consecutive first-round matchup between the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/los-angeles-kings/line-combinations">Los Angeles Kings</a> (45-24-9) and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> (46-28-5).



– If the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Chicago Blackhawks</a> (23-46-10) collect at least a point against the Winnipeg Jets Saturday, that locks the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/san-jose-sharks/line-combinations">San Jose Sharks</a> (20-48-11) into last overall and the top odds for picking No. 1 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="150"></div>



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