Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon is continuous to play out of his thoughts. MacKinnon set the franchise report for factors in a season and surpassed Joe Sakic within the course of. Colorado continues to rack up wins at an absurd fee and do not appear like it has plans of slowing down. — 46-21-6
2

Rangers
The Rangers are staking their declare as one of many prime groups within the East. New York is averaging a staggering 4.8 objectives over its previous six video games, and it has taken down the Bruins and Panthers throughout that span. If Igor Shesterkin can present a robust presence within the crease, this can be one harmful group come playoff time. — 49-20-4
3

Hurricanes
Jake Guentzel has proved to be an unreal commerce deadline addition, as he is racked up 12 factors in his first eight video games along with his new group. It additionally does not harm that Evgeny Kuznetsov can also be offering some depth because the second-line middle. On prime of all that, Frederik Andersen is again in internet and has tallied a stellar 1.34 goals-against-average since returning to the ice. The Hurricanes are nipping on the Rangers’ heels for first place within the Metropolitan Division, and so they may simply snatch that away. — 46-21-7
4

Panthers
The Panthers have been among the many NHL’s elite groups all through the second half of the season. Nevertheless, it has been tough sledding in South Florida in current weeks. The Panthers did drop a key encounter in opposition to the Bruins on Tuesday, however there’s actually no cause to sound the alarm simply but as that is nonetheless an elite roster. — 46-22-5
5

Stars
The Stars are getting sizzling on the proper time with a five-game profitable streak. The larger story is the truth that goaltender Jake Oettinger is likely to be lastly figuring it out. Oettinger has struggled as an entire this yr, however he has given up two objectives apiece in every of his final three begins. If that type of manufacturing can maintain up, this group can be making some severe noise because the common season winds down. 2 46-19-9
6

Oilers
Zach Hyman could also be one of many extra underrated free company signings in current reminiscence. Hyman recorded his first profession 50-goal season this previous weekend, and he has actually thrived taking part in alongside the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. As a group, the Oilers are battling for the second playoff spot within the Pacific Division, however they might want to get again on observe in the event that they need to safe that spot coming down the house stretch. 1 44-23-4
7

Jets
The Jets have actually hit the skids recently with 4 straight losses, together with not too long ago being shut out by the Capitals. Vezina Trophy frontrunner Connor Hellebuyck has had a number of lackluster outings, however there is not an excessive amount of cause to fret with regards to Winnipeg. 1 44-23-6
8

Bruins
The Bruins are in an absolute dogfight with the Panthers for Atlantic Division supremacy. It has been a tough stretch for goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who has racked up a 3.75 goals-against-average over his final 4 video games. — 42-17-15
9

Canucks
Goaltender Thatcher Demko stays sidelined with a knee harm, and he seemingly can be out till nearer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks do have a eight-point benefit within the Pacific Division over their counterparts, so there isn’t any rush to get Demko again onto the ice. — 45-20-8
10

Predators
There’s not a warmer group within the NHL proper now than the Predators. The Predators have not had back-to-back losses since mid-February and are 16-0-2 of their final 18 video games. Nashville is firmly entrenched into one of many Wild Card spots within the Western Convention. Filip Forsberg is on an absolute heater with a aim in every of his final six video games to guide the cost. — 43-26-4
11

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights would be the second Wild Card group proper now, however it is a group defying all the percentages. Dropping captain Mark Stone wasn’t perfect, however Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault are main the best way. That is additionally a gaggle that may get Tomas Hertl into the fold towards the tip of the common season, and it may steal one of many Pacific Division playoff spots if the stellar play retains up. 3 40-25-8
12

Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have been regarded as Stanley Cup contenders after including Tyler Bertuzzi within the offseason. It hasn’t precisely been the season many envisioned for Toronto because the group has been underwhelming at instances. The comfort prize is that Auston Matthews is locked up for the foreseeable future and he could possibly be this yr’s main aim scorer. 1 41-22-9
13

Lightning
The Lightning might not be flashy, however that is seemingly a group nobody desires to face within the opening spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If Mikhail Sergachev can return for a possible playoff run, the Lightning actually could possibly be a sleeper to make some noise. Something is feasible when Nikita Kucherov is on the cusp of a career-high in factors. 1 40-25-7
14

Kings
The Kings are clinging to the ultimate playoff spot within the Pacific Division, and they’re on a four-game profitable streak. It is insane that Anze Kopitar continues to be taking part in at an elite degree, and he is about to report consecutive 70-point seasons. 1 38-23-11
15

Capitals
The Capitals are making a cost at a playoff spot, and Alex Ovechkin has lastly turned his season round. After a tough first half, Ovechkin has tallied seven objectives in his final 5 video games and is pacing Washington on its current sizzling streak. — 36-27-9
16

Flyers
The Flyers have been first half darlings, however have not been practically as harmful post-All-Star break. Sean Couturier is again on the ice after briefly being in head coach John Tortorella’s doghouse, however he nonetheless logged the second-fewest ice time amongst forwards in Tuesday’s loss to the Rangers. Philadelphia is probably going a group that the majority Japanese Convention groups need to face within the opening spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs based mostly on its younger roster. 1 36-28-10
17

Wild
The Wild are all however eradicated from the postseason image except they go on a ridiculous run late within the yr. Whereas it has been a disappointing yr, the Wild have a ton to stay up for with regards to their future. Defenseman Brock Faber has been fairly spectacular, and he would in all probability win the Calder Trophy if it wasn’t for Connor Bedard. 1 35-28-9
18

Blues
Tuesday’s time beyond regulation loss to the Golden Knights was an absolute gutpunch. The Blues are presently six factors out of the playoff image, and it would take a miracle for them to seize a type of two Wild Card spots. — 39-30-4
19

Purple Wings
It is onerous to say that anybody predicted the Purple Wings’ struggles on this level within the season. Dylan Larkin is again within the lineup, which ought to assist issues, however that is nonetheless a group that has dropped 10 of its final 13 video games. Detroit may miss the playoffs fully at this fee. 1 36-30-7
20

Islanders
For a short interval, it appeared that head coach Patrick Roy was turning the tide for the Islanders. Nevertheless, this group is floundering proper now, and it seemingly will miss out on the postseason. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin’s struggles additionally have not helped issues. 1 31-26-15
21

Sabres
The Sabres simply do not seem fairly able to compete for a playoff spot. What is likely to be essentially the most stunning is the down yr Tage Thompson is having. After tallying a 94-point marketing campaign in 2022-23, Thompson has simply 45 factors with lower than a month to go. — 34-34-5
22

Devils
The goaltending place is arguably the highest cause why the Devils are going to overlook the playoffs this season. Nonetheless, Jake Allen, who was acquired on the commerce deadline from the Canadiens, has been sturdy within the crease up to now with a 2.50 goals-against-average in six video games since becoming a member of the group. Retool the protection within the offseason, and this positively could be a playoff group in 2024-25. 1 36-33-4
23

Flames
The Flames clearly aren’t a playoff group, and so they have dropped seven of their final 9 video games. Whereas it has been a tough couple of seasons in Calgary, the group did obtain a key contributor in final summer time’s Tyler Toffoli’s commerce within the type of Yegor Sharangovich, who’s on the doorstep of being a 30-goal scorer. 1 33-34-5
24

Penguins
It has been a tough second half of the season for the Penguins to say the least. Pittsburgh is de facto going to be a group to observe this offseason to see in the event that they actually embrace the rebuild. In the event that they do, Sidney Crosby may have a brand new house in 2024-25. 1 32-30-10
25

Kraken
The Kraken have been anticipated to be a playoff group within the West however have struggled mightily. They’d misplaced eight in a row previous to Tuesday’s win in opposition to the Geese. Nonetheless, they’ve plummeted out of the playoff image fully. 1 30-29-13
26

Senators
The group of potential simply hasn’t carried out as much as requirements this season. One optimistic is star middle Tim Stutzle being on the verge of setting a brand new career-high in assists and searching just like the first-line middle of the long run. Sadly, it is a group that was by no means within the playoff race this season. — 32-36-4
27

Coyotes
The Coyotes have produced their highest win whole over the previous few seasons in 2023-24, so there may be gentle on the finish of the tunnel. Clayton Keller is having an incredible yr, whereas former No. 3 choose Logan Cooley has been productive in his rookie marketing campaign. A possible run at a playoff berth within the close to future might not be out of the query if the event retains up. — 31-37-5
28

Canadiens
There have not been a ton of positives to talk of with regards to the Canadiens this season. Nevertheless, former No. 1 choose Juraj Slafkovsky is having a strong marketing campaign, in order that’s one thing to be intrigued by. Having a pleasant trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Slafkovsky to construct round is an honest place to begin for a rebuilding franchise. 2 28-32-12
29

Blue Jackets
It is seemingly this example is not fairly what Johnny Gaudreau envisioned when he signed that huge contract two summers in the past. The Blue Jackets are simply floundering proper now as they’ve all through nearly all of the season. It additionally does not assist that rookie sensation Adam Fantilli has been out of the lineup since late January. 1 23-38-12
30

Blackhawks
Connor Bedard has missed a while, however it’s nonetheless downright spectacular he is near the 60-point mark. In any case, Bedard hasn’t obtained a ton of assistance on the offensive finish of the ice because the Blackhawks have simply 4 gamers which might be north of the 30-point mark. They presently have the second-best odds of touchdown the No. 1 choose, so there’s a bit of little bit of a silver lining. 1 21-47-5
31

Geese
Whereas the Geese might not catch the Sharks, Anaheim nonetheless ought to have some sturdy odds to win the Macklin Celebrini derby and purchase the No. 1 choose. The Geese have dropped 9 of their final 10 video games and have established themselves among the many league’s worst because the 2023-24 season winds down. — 24-45-4
32

Sharks
The Sharks have been abysmal during the last month. After unloading the likes of Tomas Hertl and Anthony Duclair on the commerce deadline, San Jose has dropped 17 of its final 18 video games, and so they have been an computerized win for his or her competitors. — 16-48-8