With just 10 days left in the regular season, every point in the standings matters. As the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs tightens across the NHL, a handful of late-season matchups could decide which teams clinch a spot and which ones are left watching from home.

In these final 10 days a single win could secure home-ice advantage, while a loss in regulation might swing an entire playoff race. From divisional battles to crucial wild card showdowns, these games carry stakes far beyond the two points on the line.

Here are the 10 most important games remaining in the NHL regular season, where the playoff picture could change in a single night.

10. Columbus @ Detroit (April 7)

Right now, it seems like neither of these teams want a playoff spot, as both teams are on a losing skid. Columbus has lost six straight, with the Red Wings 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Two teams that were in playoff spots just a week ago, are now on the outside looking in. However, they face off against each other tonight, and somebody has to win.

Both teams have 88 points on the season and sit two points out of a wildcard spot. So, whoever takes the W home tonight, not only gives their team some momentum back on their side, but takes a step in the right direction with less than five games left.

9. Boston @ Carolina (April 7)

Another big one tonight as the Hurricanes host the Bruins. The Canes are the only team from the Metropolitan Division to have an ‘X’ next to their name in the standings. But, Boston is still palying for a spot in the postseason.

Boston will look to go on the road and pick up some points and extend their lead over the other wildcard teams.

This could be a very fun game, and a potential round 1 matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

8. Tampa @ Montreal (April 9)

Both the Lightning and the Canadiens have clinched a spot in the postseason, but the Atlantic Division title is still up for grabs, and it’s a three-way battle.

Tampa sits atop the standings, with the tiebreaker over the Sabres – who clinched their first playoff birth since 2011 – and two points ahead of the Canadiens.

A win for the Canadiens would give them a huge boost in their race for the #1 seed. Not only in the Atlantic, but in the Eastern Conference as a whole.

7. Philadelphia @ Detroit (April 9)

The Red Wings will be on this list a few times, as they’re looking to end a playoff drought of their own, having not made it since 2014.

As for the Flyers, they have not made it since 2020 in the “bubble” format. Philly fans are packing their home games in hopes they can find their way into a wildcard spot, or potentially even a top-3 seed in the Metropolitan Division, where they currently sit.

The Red Wings, with a win over the Blue Jackets tonight, could also find themselves inside the bracket, which would set up a massive game on Thursday against Philadelphia.

6. Washington Vs. Pittsburgh (Home-and-Home Series / April 11 & 12)

If the Capitals were to make the playoffs in what very well could be Alex Ovechkin’s final season, they will most likely have to win the rest of their games. Unfortunately, they have a back-to-back weekend series against long time rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

We’ve seen the Caps sneak their way into a wildcard spot, most recently back in 2024. However, Crosby has always had the upper hand on Ovi and stands in his way once again.

If the Caps sweep Pittsburgh, then they’re much louder in the conversation, but if Crosby and the Pens can win just one of those games, it will most likely be it for Ovi and the Caps.

5. Los Angeles @ Vancouver (April 14)

The Eastern Conference playoff race has taken up most of the spots on this list, but we’ve finally reached our Western Conference matchup.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Vancouver isn’t in the playoff conversation at all.” Yes, and matter of fact they’ve already clinched the #1 best odds in the NHL draft lottery.

However, this is still a huge opportunity for the Kings. They currently sit one point ahead of Nashville, who is lurking and came out of nowhere in the final month of play.

With the Kings playing a team that has been in the crapper since the beginning of the year, this gives them a huge opportunity to pick up two points, and stay ahead of the lurking wildcard teams.

4. Minnesota @ Dallas (April 9)

Both teams are already locked into the playoffs as well, however this is a massive game when dealing with home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

Dallas currently holds a two-point lead over Minnesota. Mathematically, these teams could still catch Colorado… but I mean, come on. Colorado is taking the #1 seed.

So that means it will be the Stars and Wild battling in the Central Division bracket as the #2 and #3 seeds.

So, who’s getting home ice advantage? We could find out during this matchup.

3. San Jose @ Winnipeg (April 16)

Speaking of those lurking wildcard teams, the Sharks head north of the border on the final night of the regular season to play the Jets.

San Jose sits one spot and one point in front of Winnipeg, who’s also desperate to get into the playoffs after a horrible start to their season.

This could be a massive playoff decider if they’re still in the hunt on the final night.

2. Columbus @ Montreal (April 11)

Headed back in time and back to the Eastern Conference, where the Blue Jackets and Canadiens are back on the list.

Montreal has already clinched, but are still vying for the #1 seed in the Atlantic. Two days prior to this game, they’ll scrap it out against Tampa, meaning if Columbus can catch Montreal beat up and tired, they can pounce and pick up a much needed two points.

I could say the same for Columbus, as every one of their games the rest of the way matters, but this will be a big one.

1. Ottawa @ NY Islanders ( April 11)

In the number one spot on this list of games that will be the most important in the final week of the regular season, I have Ottawa vs. New York. The Senators have a game in hand over the Islanders, but sit just one point ahead of them in the wildcard standings.

After the Islanders fired Patrick Roy with just four games remaining in their season, this might be their last chance to win their way in.

It’s been an ugly last 10 for the Islanders, as they have boasted a 3-7 record. Including a 4 game skid. Whereas Ottawa has done the opposite, with a 6-3-1 record in their last 10.

With 20 teams still in the picture, and very many separated by just a few points, the final stretch of the NHL season promises chaos, drama, and playoff-level intensity before the postseason even begins.

By the time the regular season closes, at least a few of these matchups will likely be remembered as turning points in the race. The playoff picture may not be clear yet, but over the next week and a half, these games will go a long way toward deciding how the road to the Stanley Cup begins.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin April 18th on ESPN and TNT 🏒

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