Capitals
99.9% | Previous to the season, in case you had instructed me the Capitals could be a digital playoff lock earlier than February, I might have assumed a minimum of six or seven Japanese Convention groups had been sucked right into a black gap. As a substitute, Alex Ovechkin is looking down Wayne Gretzky’s all-time objectives report, Pierre-Luc Dubois has new life and Logan Thompson is taking part in like a Vezina Trophy contender. — 34-11-5
2

Oilers
99.6% | It is no shock the Oilers, a workforce that fell one win wanting a Stanley Cup in 2024-25, are effectively on their technique to the playoffs. Leon Draisaitl is taking part in at a Hart Trophy degree, and Connor McDavid is taking part in at a 123-point tempo. The one two potential Achilles heels for this workforce are goaltending and scoring depth, however they’ve the firepower to paper over these. — 32-15-3
3

Jets
99.9% | A dominant energy play and elite goaltending can take you far on this league. Look no additional than the Jets for proof. Their five-on-five metrics are strong however not excellent, however particular groups and Connor Hellebuyck have propelled them to the cease of the standings. There isn’t any doubt Winnipeg goes to the postseason, however does it have one other gear to its five-on-five recreation? 4 35-14-3
4

Stars
99.3% | The Stars have only a few weaknesses, they usually have their heights set a lot larger than merely qualifying for the playoffs. Dallas has now misplaced the Western Convention Closing in back-to-back years, and it is seeking to break by this time round. Seven Stars have scored double-digit objectives, and that does not embody Tyler Seguin’s 9 in 19 video games. No different workforce can match that sort of ahead depth. 1 32-17-1
5

Hurricanes
99.5% | Carolina isn’t any stranger to playoff hockey, and it simply took an enormous swing in pursuit of its second championship in franchise historical past. The Hurricanes have lacked an elite scorer for years now, however that position has been stuffed by Mikko Rantanen, a 55-goal scorer and a 16.2% profession shooter. He may assist the Canes recover from that playoff hurdle. 2 31-16-4
6

Maple Leafs
91.8% | Proper now Toronto is within the driver’s seat within the Atlantic Division, and it is in that place regardless of Auston Matthews lacking 15 video games. The Leafs have the offensive weapons and the shutdown defensemen essential to win within the playoffs. It’s going to be as much as Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz to maintain up their stellar play, however neither participant has a lot of a playoff resume. 2 30-19-2
7

Golden Knights
99.7% | The Golden Knights have almost misplaced their grip on the Pacific Division due to this January hunch. It must be famous that Vegas’ course of has been fairly robust. The workforce has a 54.2% anticipated objectives share on this stretch however not the outcomes to match. The primary problem has been the Golden Knights’ incapacity to show scoring possibilities into objectives, which I believe will right itself by April. 6 31-15-5
8

Panthers
94.3% | The reigning champs are nonetheless in nice place to make the playoffs, and their roster is now loaded with expertise following back-to-back Stanley Cup Closing runs. Goaltending has failed the Panthers thus far within the season or their possibilities could be larger. They simply should hope Sergei Bobrovsky or Spencer Knight finds a groove this spring. 3 30-19-3
9

Wild
91.2% | Minnesota has a big buffer between itself and the ultimate wild card spot, so these possibilities make sense, however the information has not been good these days. The Wild have struggled to string collectively wins in January, Filip Gustavsson has fallen aside between the pipes, and Kirill Kaprizov will miss 4 weeks after present process surgical procedure. The adversity is beginning to mount for the Wild. — 30-17-4
10

Canadiens
23.1% | Regardless of the Canadiens’ spectacular run, they barely have greater than a one-in-four shot to make the playoffs. That is most likely as a result of statistical fashions anticipate them cooling off down the stretch. It is fairly unlikely Patrik Laine retains capturing over 29% on the facility play, and I do not see the workforce persevering with to outperform lackluster numbers for for much longer. Having stated that, the workforce is enjoyable and the vibes are good. Experience the wave so long as doable. 2 24-21-5
11

Avalanche
79.1% | The Avs aren’t a positive factor to make the postseason, however at this price, I might be shocked in the event that they did not get in. Having stated that, I do not suppose the workforce bought higher this week. Martin Necas is a really expert participant, and I am positive he’ll have loads of success with Nathan MacKinnon. Mikko Rantanen, however, has confirmed himself to be among the finest scorers within the NHL. No abnormal scrub can try this, even when they’re using shotgun with MacKinnon. 5 29-21-2
12

Blue Jackets
18.2% | Columbus is nipping on the Lightning’s heels within the East, and these chances are high too low in case you ask me. The Blue Jackets are beginning to appear like a workforce of future, which is why I am prepared to miss their poor underlying numbers. Kirill Marchenko is a machine, Sean Monahan is a simple participant to root for and Zach Werenski is placing on a present from the blue line. The longer Columbus stays within the race, the higher. 2 24-19-7
13

Lightning
62.5% | The final couple weeks, which have included losses to the Blackhawks and Pink Wings, haven’t helped Tampa’s playoff bid. The Lightning at the moment are within the East’s second wild card spot, and there’s zero room between them and the Blue Jackets. It could assist if Brandon Hagel, who hasn’t scored since Jan. 12, would warmth up once more. 3 26-20-3
14

Pink Wings
27.5% | For the second season in a row, the Pink Wings discover themselves within the thick of the playoff race regardless of posting some underwhelming performances at five-on-five. Detroit is 11-4-1 since Todd McClellan took over as coach, however the workforce’s energy play is operating hotter than a firecracker. The Wings are changing on 37.7% of their man benefit alternatives in that stretch, and that has been the distinction. I simply do not know the way for much longer that may persist. 3 24-21-5
15

Devils
91.8% | New Jersey has been trending the fallacious course for a lot of the final month, which suggests this quantity was a lot nearer to 100 in the beginning of the brand new 12 months. Dropping Jacob Markstrom will not make life simpler on the Devils, but when they will make it to the 4 Nations Faceoff with out giving up extra floor, they need to be simply high quality for the house stretch. 1 29-18-6
16

Senators
69.6% | The roller-coaster Senators have determined to warmth up once more, which makes predicting their playoff possibilities fairly tough. Brady Tkachuk simply ended an 11-game level drought, and that sort of stretch cannot occur far more typically if Ottawa goes to make the playoffs for the primary time since 2017. 2 26-20-4
17

Kings
94.4% | Whereas the Kings are very probably a playoff workforce, they don’t seem to be out of the woods simply but. That is as a result of their offense, or lack thereof, is preserving them from being a really elite workforce. Pretty much as good as Los Angeles is defensively, it lacks actual elite playmakers on the high of the lineup. Which may sink the workforce within the playoffs once more when it runs into the Oilers, Stars or Golden Knights. 5 26-16-6
18

Islanders
28.0% | I used to be prepared to jot down off the Islanders fully, they usually’ve now gained 5 in a row and eight of their final 10. They nonetheless have loads of work to do with six groups between them and a playoff spot, however they’ve life. That stated, that is the kind of scenario that will stop GM Lou Lamoriello from doing what’s needed and promoting on the commerce deadline to construct for the longer term. 5 22-20-7
19

Rangers
49.3% | Given how dangerous issues regarded simply a few weeks in the past, the Rangers will most likely take what is basically a coin flip right here. It is no secret New York has critical curiosity in JT Miller, and the Canucks are actually searching for a purchaser. I ponder how including a participant of Miller’s caliber would have an effect on these possibilities as a result of, on paper, the Rangers are higher than the opposite groups round them within the standings. 3 24-22-4
20

Flames
50.5% | The Flames have had a really tenuous grasp on that remaining playoff spot within the West for some time now, but it surely looks as if no workforce desires to take a stranglehold on it. If rookie Dustin Wolf retains standing on his head in objective, Calgary can have pretty much as good an opportunity as anybody at securing that second wild card spot. 1 24-18-7
21

Bruins
32.4% | The Bruins’ playoff possibilities weren’t nice earlier than giving up a landing to the Sabres on Tuesday, they usually’re even worse now. Boston’s particular groups are a catastrophe, Jeremy Swayman has struggled all season and the workforce’s five-on-five recreation is not adequate to make up for that. The Bruins are nonetheless in a playoff spot, however that will not be the case for for much longer if this retains up. 1 25-21-6
22

Flyers
10.2% | The Flyers are as soon as once more overperforming beneath John Tortorella, however for the second season in a row, it most likely will not be adequate. Matvei Michkov has confirmed he might be an electrical participant within the NHL, however the Flyers merely want extra game-breakers on the high of the lineup, in addition to dependable goaltending. 1 23-23-6
23

Blues
14.9% | Within the fast aftermath of Jim Montgomery’s hiring, St. Louis regarded prefer it may very well be the workforce that snuck into the West’s remaining wild card spot. Nevertheless, the Blues have cooled off a bit these days, and Pavel Buchnevich has been even cooler. Buchnevich hasn’t scored since Jan. 9, and St. Louis would not actually have the depth to beat one among its key forwards experiencing a drought. 8 23-24-4
24

Canucks
40.2% | Canucks president of hockey pperations Jim Rutherford simply outright admitted the drama between JT Miller and Elias Pettersson has been a distraction for the workforce. So, that is dangerous. Maybe a commerce is all that is wanted to get Vancouver again on observe, however possibly not. The Canucks have some issues that reach past the cleaning soap opera. 1 23-17-10
25

Predators
6.5% | Nashville’s playoff chances are high on life help, but it surely does have the weakest remaining schedule within the NHL. Plus, nobody forward of the Predators within the standings has proven the flexibility to maintain success. That offers Nashville a prayer, but it surely’s exhausting to have religion the workforce can reap the benefits of that gentle schedule given its personal inconsistent play. 1 18-24-7
26

Hockey Membership
20.2% | Playoffs is probably not within the playing cards for Salt Lake Metropolis this 12 months. Whereas the workforce has been entertaining, it is turn out to be clear Utah wants one or two extra key items, particularly on protection. Plus, Dylan Guenther is out indefinitely as a consequence of damage, and his 16 objectives are second on the workforce. I suppose Utah, like each different bubble workforce within the West, can take solace in the truth that its competitors is fairly mediocre. 2 21-21-8
27

Geese
3.7% | The Geese have gained three in a row, but it surely’s nonetheless exhausting to see them making any noise within the West. Their five-on-five numbers, together with a 43.7% anticipated objectives share, are horrific. Goaltending has needed to bail out the protection always, and John Gibson could also be on his method out of the door earlier than the commerce deadline. 3 21-23-6
28

Sabres
0.6% | I ship my condolences to Buffalo followers. You go from the intestine punch that was from the AFC Championship to watching this workforce. Not less than Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka each had hat tips on Tuesday. That was cool! 1 19-26-5
29

Kraken
0.8% | The Kraken have regarded lifeless within the water for some time now, and these playoff possibilities affirm it. Seattle would wish an epic run to be able to get again into the race, and the workforce has proven zero indication that may occur. The Kraken have too many holes of their lineup, and depth cannot make up for a scarcity of actual firepower within the high six. That is one thing they’re going to have to deal with within the offseason. 2 22-27-3
30

Penguins
1.3% | The Penguins is perhaps on the verge of a sell-off, however for the second it would not appear like Sidney Crosby goes anyplace. What number of groups will actually be taken with Erik Karlsson? What concerning the different two members of the massive three, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? 2 21-24-8
31

Blackhawks
0.0% | This workforce did not have an opportunity of creating the playoffs on opening evening, and it someway bought even worse by buying and selling away Taylor Corridor. It may get very ugly in Chicago the remainder of the best way, however that is by design. — 16-29-5
32

Sharks
0.0% | The plan for the Sharks was to complete on the backside of the standings once more, and I’ll go forward and say, “Mission completed.” San Jose has allowed 36 objectives in opposition to in its final seven video games, so I do not suppose the workforce is in jeopardy of blowing its spot within the draft lottery. — 15-32-6