Penguins NHL Playoff Clinching Scenarios: How Pittsburgh Can Earn Berth on April 9

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Penguins NHL Playoff Clinching Scenarios: How Pittsburgh Can Earn Berth on April 9 originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Penguins can officially punch their ticket to the NHL Playoffs on Thursday.

Pittsburgh enters its matchup against New Jersey with a win-and-in scenario. If the Penguins are unable to take care of business against the Devils, there are still multiple ways that they can clinch a spot in the postseason bracket based on other results around the league.

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

Penguins NHL Playoff clinching scenarios​

Win vs. Devils​

The easiest path to the playoffs for Pittsburgh? Just beat New Jersey, which has already been eliminated from postseason contention.

Overtime loss + Sabres win​

If Dan Muse's squad picks up a point at the Prudential Center, it can clinch a playoff berth with a Sabres win of any kind over the Blue Jackets.

Buffalo has already clinched a playoff spot, but Lindy Ruff's team is still battling for positioning with the Lightning and Canadiens at the top of the Atlantic Division standings.

Sabres regulation win + Maple Leafs win​

In the scenario in which the Penguins lose in regulation, a Sabres win in regulation and a Maple Leafs win of any kind over the Islanders would push Pittsburgh into the bracket.

Those outcomes would lower the Penguins' magic number to zero, guaranteeing a postseason appearance regardless of the final score at the Prudential Center.

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.

Penguins remaining schedule 2026​

Pittsburgh has four games left in the regular season, starting with Thursday night's contest in New Jersey.

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)
April 9	at Devils	7 p.m.
April 11	vs. Capitals	3 p.m.
April 12	at Capitals	3 p.m.
April 14	at Blues	9:30 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 Penguins​

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

Continue reading...