NHL Recap: April 5, 2026

The race for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card spot was incredibly tight, with five teams – the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington Capitals – all having a chance to secure the position by day’s end. While Sunday’s games certainly brought about significant changes in the standings, the most impactful upheaval wasn’t in the Wild Card picture, but rather among the top three teams within the Metropolitan Division.