Eastern Playoff Bubble: Senators vs Islanders | March 26, 2026
Published 3/26/2026
Quick Take
- The Canadiens (MTL) currently hold the top wild card spot with 88 points.
- The Senators (OTT) are the last team in with 85 points, while the Islanders (NYI) are the first team out with the same 85 points, a gap of 0 points.
- In the event of a tie, the Senators (OTT) would win the tiebreaker due to having more ROW wins than the Islanders (NYI).
The Eastern Conference playoff bubble is heating up, with the Senators (OTT) and Islanders (NYI) vying for the last spot. Brady Tkachuk and the Senators (OTT) are looking to capitalize on their current position, while Mathew Barzal and the Islanders (NYI) are trying to climb back in. The stakes are high, with each game counting towards a potential playoff berth.
The current playoff cutoff line has the Canadiens (MTL) at 88 points and the Senators (OTT) at 85 points, with the Islanders (NYI) just outside at 85 points. The Red Wings (DET) are close behind at 84 points, while the Flyers (PHI) and Capitals (WSH) are at 80 and 79 points, respectively.
In the event of a tie, the ROW tiebreaker comes into play, where the Senators (OTT) hold a significant advantage with 32 ROW wins, compared to the Islanders (NYI) with 26 ROW wins. This gives the Senators (OTT) an edge in securing the last playoff spot.
Looking ahead to the schedule, the Islanders (NYI) have a tough road ahead, with multiple games against top contenders, while the Senators (OTT) have a more favorable schedule, which could help them build momentum and secure their playoff spot. The Red Wings (DET) are also playing well, which could put pressure on the Senators (OTT) and Islanders (NYI) to perform.
