SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 13: Quinton Byfield #55 reacts after a goal is scored by Trevor Moore #12 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on April 13, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

NHL playoff field set after Kings clinch final West spot

22 days ago
Christopher Mast / National Hockey League / Getty

The entire Stanley Cup Playoff field is now set after the Los Angeles Kings clinched the last postseason berth in the Western Conference by defeating the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Monday.

The Philadelphia Flyers also locked up the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on Monday. Seeding for both conferences is still to be determined.

Playoff teams

Western Conference Eastern Conference
Colorado Avalanche Carolina Hurricanes
Dallas Stars Buffalo Sabres
Minnesota Wild Tampa Bay Lightning
Vegas Golden Knights Montreal Canadiens
Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins
Anaheim Ducks Philadelphia Flyers
Utah Mammoth Boston Bruins
Los Angeles Kings Ottawa Senators

The Avalanche are locked in as the Presidents' Trophy winners. The Hurricanes secured the top seed in the East and will face either the Bruins or Senators. Wild-Stars and Flyers-Penguins are set for the opening round while the Canadiens and Lightning will also meet with home ice still to be determined.

The Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from postseason contention as a result of L.A.'s victory.

This marks the fifth consecutive playoff appearance for the Kings, who lost in Round 1 to the Edmonton Oilers in each of the last four years. Los Angeles hasn't won a postseason series since 2014, when it won the Stanley Cup.

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday.

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