The Montreal Canadiens beata resting Carolina Hurricanes team 4-2 to clinch a playoff spot in the last game of their season. They will play the Washington Capitals in the first round.

Canadiens top Hurricanes to clinch berth in playoffs, will face Capitals in 1st round | NHL.com
Guhle scores twice in win; Montreal’s Hutson ties rookie assist mark for defenseman
NHL logoSean Farrell

I'll admit it would've been really funny if they missed out, but their fans are going to have a heck of a time for the handful of games they'll get.

So the first round bracket is set, you can find it here.

NHL 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
Get all the latest stats, news, videos, and more on the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL logo

We have part of the schedule out already, with the rest of the first round being released today. Winnipeg and St. Louis will be playing Game 1 on Saturday at 6pm ET. Dallas and Colorado will be after them at 8:30pm. It's expected none of the teams who played Thursday night will be forced to play again on Saturday. That would mean none of the East teams would be eligible. We'll see if the league goes back on that rule for some teams. It likely won't be Carolina, who are playing a back-to-back yesterday and today with travel. Might be Washington vs Montreal, CBC will want a second game.

2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs to start Saturday in Western Conference | NHL.com
Jets to host Blues, Stars to face Avalanche in doubleheader on TNT
NHL logoNHLdotcom

Lots of quotes and insights from the night the Leafs clinched the division and players hit some big milestones.

Maple Leafs set for Battle of Ontario: ‘It’ll be a bloodbath’
Between the Toronto Maple Leafs clinching their first-ever Atlantic Division title and Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews hitting personal milestones, the renewal of the Battle of Ontario promises to be consuming and explosive.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

McCabe will be back for Game 1, OEL might not be.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ McCabe to be ready for Game 1, Ekman-Larsson’s status less certain | TSN
Toronto Maple Leafs are expecting defencemen Jake McCabe to be ready for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s status is less certain, TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

Will Norris, who refereed NHL games from the 60s to the 80s, passed away in Guelph. According to the NHLOA, Norris was one of the referees during Darryl Sittler's 10-point game.

NHL mourns loss of referee from Guelph, Ont.
The National Hockey League (NHL) is mourning the death of a referee from Ontario who officiated thousands of games.
CTVNewsShelby Knox

The USA men's U18 team lost a warmup match to Norway.

From The Branches