Bruins NHL Playoff Clinching Scenarios: How Boston Can Earn Berth on April 9

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The Bruins missed the NHL Playoffs for the first time since the 2015–16 season when they failed to clinch a postseason berth last year. That disappointing ending snapped an eight-season streak of playoff appearances.

Boston is now on the verge of returning to the postseason in 2026, though. The Bruins are enjoying an extended break after falling to the Hurricanes on Tuesday, but they can officially punch their ticket to the playoffs based on other results around the league.

Here's a complete breakdown on how the Bruins can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday night.

Bruins NHL Playoff clinching scenarios​

Boston does not take the ice until Saturday afternoon when it faces Tampa Bay. However, if the Bruins get a perfect set of results on Thursday night, they will be heading to the NHL Playoffs.

Maple Leafs regulation win + Flyers regulation win + Sabres regulation win​

• Maple Leafs defeat Islanders in regulation
• Flyers defeat Red Wings in regulation
• Sabres defeat Blue Jackets in regulation

Bruins fans should be cheering for a scenario in which the Islanders, Red Wings and Blue Jackets all fail to secure a single point. Boston is sitting in the top wild-card spot with 96 points, so regulation losses from all three teams would send the Bruins to the playoffs.

Full NHL schedule for Thursday, April 9​

Here is the full slate of games for Thursday, April 9:

Game	Time (ET)
Maple Leafs vs. Islanders	6:45 p.m.
Blue Jackets vs. Sabres	7 p.m.
Lightning vs. Canadiens	7 p.m.
Panthers vs. Senators	7 p.m.
Flyers vs. Red Wings	7 p.m.
Penguins vs. Devils	7 p.m.
Jets vs. Blues	8 p.m.
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks	8:30 p.m.
Wild vs. Stars	9 p.m.
Flames vs. Avalanche	9 p.m.
Predators vs. Mammoth	9 p.m.
Sharks vs. Ducks	10 p.m.
Golden Knights vs. Kraken	10 p.m.
Canucks vs. Kings	10:30 p.m.

Bruins remaining schedule 2026​

Boston has three games left in the regular season, starting with Saturday's contest against Tampa Bay.

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)
April 11	vs. Lightning	12:30 p.m.
April 12	at Blue Jackets	6 p.m.
April 14	vs. Devils	7 p.m.

NHL standings 2026​

Atlantic Division​

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts
Buffalo Sabres*	79	48	23	8	104
Tampa Bay Lightning*	78	48	24	6	102
Montreal Canadiens*	78	46	22	10	102
Boston Bruins	79	43	26	10	96
Ottawa Senators	78	41	27	10	92
Detroit Red Wings	78	40	29	9	89
Florida Panthers***	78	37	37	4	78
Toronto Maple Leafs***	78	32	32	14	78

Metropolitan Division​

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts
Carolina Hurricanes**	78	50	22	6	106
Pittsburgh Penguins	78	40	22	16	96
Philadelphia Flyers	78	40	26	12	92
Columbus Blue Jackets	78	39	27	12	90
New York Islanders	78	42	31	5	89
Washington Capitals	79	40	30	9	89
New Jersey Devils***	78	40	35	3	83
New York Rangers***	79	33	37	9	75

*clinched playoff berth
**clinched division
***eliminated

Eastern Conference wild card​

Rank	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts
WC1	Boston Bruins	79	43	26	10	96
WC2	Ottawa Senators	78	41	27	10	92
3	Columbus Blue Jackets	78	39	27	12	90
4	Detroit Red Wings	78	40	29	9	89
5	New York Islanders	78	42	31	5	89
6	Washington Capitals	79	40	30	9	89

More Bruins​

• Latest Bruins news
• 2025-26 Bruins schedule
• 2025-26 Bruins roster
• Complete history of Bruins championships

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