The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a dogfight for a wild card spot in the NHL playoff standings.
Wild Card Standings: Penguins Clinging to Hope
The Penguins have five games left and sit just above the wild card line, with a 0.5 game lead over the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins hold a 50-20-8 record, good for 108 points and an 83.33% chance of making the playoffs. The Penguins' wild card bid hinges on a winning streak, but only 0.5 games separate them from the Red Wings.
Playoff Picture: Who's In, Who's Out
The 2026 NHL playoff picture has some clarity. 15 out of 16 teams have clinched playoff spots, with the Eastern Conference’s top seed still up for grabs to be decided on Saturday, 18th April. The Penguins, with a 108 points and 50-20-8 record are fighting for a wildcard spot.
Red Wings' Playoff Push
The Detroit Red Wings are 0.5 games behind the Penguins with a 51-23-7 record and 109 points and a 52.78% chance of making the playoffs.
The Penguins have a tough remaining schedule with games against the New Jersey Devils, and the Boston Bruins and Red Wings. The Red Wings, meanwhile, face a series of games against the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, and the New York Rangers.
"With the season winding down, every game counts. The Penguins’ fate rests in their final five games. They need to secure a winning streak to clinch their spot in the playoffs." — NHL expert, ESPN.
