2024 NHL playoff race tracker: Projected first-round matchups, standings with four days left in regular season
The NHL playoff races are heating up with just a few days to go in the regular season
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest on NHL playoff matchups as of today (April 20, 2026):
- Playoff picture: The Eastern and Western Conference brackets are taking shape, with several teams competing for final wild-card spots and secure division seeds. Expect tight races in the last few regular-season games as teams jockey for position.[1][8]
- Key matchups to watch: Critical games involving teams near the playoff line, including late-season battles in both conferences, could decide seeds and tiebreakers in the final standings.[1]
- Where to follow live updates: The official NHL site and major outlets typically post real-time standings, updated bracket projections, and game-by-game recaps during the closing days of the regular season and into the playoffs.[3][8]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current bracket projections and highlight specific teams you care about (e.g., your favorite clubs or UK-time friendly game times) and present them in a concise list or a small chart.