The commerce deadline is behind us and there are solely 26 days till the finish of the 2025-26 NHL common season.
With each team having 15 or fewer video games left, consideration has shifted to the closing leg of the season. Whether a team is vying for a division title, in a good playoff chase or seeking to end the season with momentum, the stretch run has quite a bit to supply for all 32 golf equipment.
This week, The Athletic requested its NHL workers to place groups into 5 playoff tiers — “not happening,” “long shot,” “bubble team,” “looks like a good bet” and “it’s a lock” — and spotlight what’s at stake for each team down the stretch.
Not occurring
Chicago Blackhawks
Draft-lottery place
The Blackhawks are in the combine with a handful of different groups close to the backside of the league standings. They may definitely use one other dynamic ahead so as to add to their roster pool. But whether or not they land someplace nearer to a top-three or top-five decide will depend upon how they end the season. They have performed higher since the Olympic break, so we’ll see the place their document falls. — Scott Powers
New York Rangers
Development and lottery odds
The Rangers’ gamers have no real interest in maximizing lottery odds. They’ve been taking part in effectively popping out of the Olympic break. Gabe Perreault thriving with larger minutes is encouraging, and Alexis Lafrenière was simply named the NHL’s first star of the week. That is all going to be price monitoring down the stretch. Some followers, after all, will nonetheless be on reverse standings watch. — Peter Baugh
New Jersey Devils
Management futures
The Devils have had a disappointing season after a red-hot begin and at the moment are all however eradicated. The membership’s administration could have big-picture selections to make about the group’s future. Will basic supervisor Tom Fitzgerald be again subsequent yr? How about coach Sheldon Keefe? And will something about the team’s play down the stretch change anybody’s destiny? — Peter Baugh
Florida Panthers
Will they hold their first-round decide?
Technically, there stays a very slim likelihood the Panthers make the postseason. And they’ve gained a pile of video games not too long ago to go away the basement. But with a big hole between them and Columbus/Ottawa/Detroit, it feels far-fetched. What stays at stake is whether or not or not Florida retains its decide, as its first-rounder from the Seth Jones commerce is top-10 protected. They sit eighth final in the league, proper close to the line. Adding a very good younger prospect/asset can be a silver lining from a tricky season. — James Mirtle
Vancouver Canucks
Absolutely nothing
The Canucks have in all probability sewn up a Thirty second-place end and the finest odds of successful the No. 1 decide at the draft lottery. There is nothing performance-wise that any veterans or prospects can accomplish that may dramatically change their worth or influence their trajectory. Nothing will change the analysis of Canucks administration, or Adam Foote’s suitability to get a second yr as Vancouver’s head coach. The Canucks have pleasure to play for, and that’s about it. — Thomas Drance
In a season stuffed with disappointments, a robust end for Easton Cowan can be good for the Maple Leafs. (Chris Tanouye / Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs
Almost nothing
For higher or worse, it looks like the die is already forged for nearly everybody with the Leafs. There’s no redeeming happening, given what a disastrous season this has been in Toronto. What can be good for the Leafs is a robust end for Easton Cowan. He’s been taking part in larger minutes of late after falling out of Craig Berube’s lineup fully for a spell. This remains to be an necessary improvement time for the 20-year-old. — Jonas Siegel
Calgary Flames
Draft place
The Flames aren’t making the playoffs. They’ve bought at the deadline and are firmly dedicated to rebuilding. The greatest query is the place they’ll slot at season’s finish forward of the draft lottery. If they’ll safe a top-three decide, one thing they’ve by no means had of their franchise’s historical past, that brings them a lot nearer to a game-changing participant they’ve craved for thus lengthy. — Julian McKenzie
Long shot
Philadelphia Flyers
Good emotions
The third yr of the new management regime is about to conclude, possible and not using a playoff berth. There’s an opportunity that the Flyers’ six-year drought might be the longest in the league when the season ends. Patience may begin to put on skinny with the fan base. But if the Flyers end sturdy and a few of their younger gamers have an effect, that might assist the group going into subsequent season. Perhaps prime prospect Porter Martone even arrives for just a few video games after his faculty season is over. — Kevin Kurz
St. Louis Blues
Nothing
I selected “long shot” as a result of, as we noticed with a franchise-record 12-game successful streak that squeezed the Blues into the playoffs final season, you possibly can by no means rely them out. Either manner, they’re a team in transition, and nobody is getting fired as a result of Alexander Steen will take over for GM Doug Armstrong, and coach Jim Montgomery will keep put. They’ve dedicated to a youth motion, so core gamers might be traded this summer season. It’s uncertain something down the stretch will change the plan. — Jeremy Rutherford
Winnipeg Jets
The finest shot at elite expertise since 2016
Winnipeg is just not a prime unrestricted free agent vacation spot. It is steadily cited on no-trade clauses. The Jets should due to this fact purchase as a lot top-end expertise as doable via the draft. I don’t see a path to the playoffs — and, even when they pull off a miracle stretch run, I don’t see a path via Colorado in Round 1 — so the greatest concern is whether or not or not the Jets’ first-round decide provides them their subsequent star participant. — Murat Ates
The NHL’s all-time main objective scorer, Alex Ovechkin, hasn’t stated whether or not this season is his final. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin’s doable exit
Washington’s closing video games are, at minimal, about getting a glimpse of the post-Ovechkin period (howdy, Cole Hutson). When that period begins, although, stays unclear. The NHL’s all-time main objective scorer hasn’t stated whether or not this season is his final, and the Capitals’ playoff odds are fairly grim. They shut the common season on the street in opposition to Columbus, and their closing house sport is in opposition to Pittsburgh. Worth noting. — Sean Gentille
Bubble team
Boston Bruins
Nothing
Whatever occurs, this season is a win for the Bruins contemplating how poorly issues went in 2024-25. Marco Sturm has been excellent as a first-year coach. Don Sweeney made sound pickups in free company. Jeremy Swayman got here again to life. The Bruins are trending up. — Fluto Shinzawa
Columbus Blue Jackets
Keeping the band collectively
Since Rick Bowness was employed on Jan. 12, the Blue Jackets are 17-2-4, working their manner into the playoff chase. But Bowness hasn’t dedicated to subsequent season but, making him arguably their most necessary pending free agent. The others are outstanding names, too: forwards Charlie Coyle, Boone Jenner and Mason Marchment, and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. A playoff berth would set Columbus afire, ending a five-season drought. If these UFAs imagine they’ll win right here, resigning them might be that a lot simpler. — Aaron Portzline
Detroit Red Wings
Public confidence of their route
This has at all times been a playoffs-or-bust sort of season in Detroit, and whereas some current key accidents have upped the diploma of problem, they don’t change the stakes. If the Red Wings miss the playoffs for a tenth straight season, it will likely be arduous for followers to stay assured of their route. Detroit is on a ticking clock to win whereas it nonetheless has Dylan Larkin in his prime, and getting again to the postseason this yr looks like an necessary first step to doing so. — Max Bultman
Nashville Predators
The final likelihood to bop for some time
There’s no certainty on the place issues go from right here for the Preds, not with Barry Trotz’s substitute at basic supervisor but to be employed, but it surely’s straightforward to ascertain a rebuilding interval of some size simply forward. After Trotz half-measured the commerce deadline by dealing some key contributors however holding again on offers that might have introduced again big returns, the Preds are combating to sneak into the playoffs. It might be their final for some time. — Joe Rexrode
Seattle Kraken
A Stanley Cup playoff berth
The Kraken have punched above their weight in Lane Lambert’s first season, buoyed by stellar team protection and unsustainably good goaltending. They’re a hard-working team, and regardless of a restricted ceiling and a scarcity of true celebrity contributors, that provides the Kraken an actual alternative to outlast the Kings, Sharks and Predators to earn the second playoff berth in franchise historical past. — Thomas Drance
Ottawa Senators
Their fame as a team that’s progressing
The Senators have to make the playoffs to proceed their upward trajectory as a team. It’s a lot simpler to entice gamers, whether or not internally or externally via free company and commerce, to commit long-term to Ottawa if the team is performing effectively. And in the event that they’re not, it invitations extra questions (not essentially from Ottawa) about whether or not or not present gamers wish to keep. Making the playoffs removes a lot of that doubt. — Julian McKenzie
Will Anže Kopitar get one final likelihood so as to add to his playoff legacy? (Elsa / Getty Images)
Los Angeles Kings
Getting Anže Kopitar to his closing postseason
If the Kings sneak into the playoffs, it could carry a small measure of salvage for an underwhelming season. They’re nonetheless alive because of the Pacific Division being stuffed with flawed groups, and which means their venerable captain and future Hall of Fame middle might be despatched into retirement by including to his legacy. A run at a 3rd Stanley Cup is the longest of photographs, however the Kings legend deserves it. — Eric Stephens
San Jose Sharks
Boosting Macklin Celebrini’s Hart Trophy argument
The Sharks weren’t alleged to be in a playoff race and they in some way proceed to hold round. Celebrini has carried them whereas additionally starring in his first Olympics, so having him in the playoff highlight as a 19-year-old would cap a monstrous second season. He has greater than twice as many factors as the subsequent closest San Jose teammate and ought to have his first 100-point season. San Jose completed final in 2024-25. That’s a reasonably good Hart argument. — Eric Stephens
Looks like a very good wager
New York Islanders
Playoff standing
The Islanders have held agency in the Metro standings for a while, however the Blue Jackets’ run has challenged that, with Columbus now forward of the Islanders, knocking them out of the image. The odds are in New York’s favor down the stretch, particularly with a rookie sensation and one among the finest goalies in the world. But the race is tight in the East, so the standings are fluid; the Isles may end second or third in the division, slip to the wild card or fall out altogether. — Shayna Goldman
Vegas Golden Knights
A fifth Pacific Division title in 9 years
If the Golden Knights end atop the Pacific Division as soon as once more, they’ll have extra regular-season division titles than any team in the NHL since they entered the league in 2017-18. Vegas hasn’t performed as much as its traditional commonplace this season, however with the division having a down yr, the Golden Knights are able to proceed their reign of dominance over the Pacific, which might arrange for a a lot simpler path to the Western Conference closing, which they’ve reached 4 instances. — Jesse Granger
Pittsburgh Penguins
Finishing a dream playoff push
The Penguins entered the season amongst the favorites to land Gavin McKenna. Instead, they’re on tempo to complete with greater than 100 factors. A playoff look would give Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang one other likelihood to shine in the postseason highlight. This marks the twentieth straight season they’ve performed collectively for the Penguins, one thing no trio in the historical past of North American skilled sports activities has achieved. To attain the playoffs collectively once more can be fairly a narrative. — Josh Yohe
Anaheim Ducks
Solving what’s improper with Mason McTavish
The Ducks have a shot at successful the Pacific Division, however no playoff spot is locked up, and they’ll’t afford to nosedive at the finish. They’ve performed effectively in 2026 and added a top-pairing stage defenseman in John Carlson. If the Ducks hope to win a playoff collection, they have to get McTavish going. He’s had a down yr and a tough go of late whereas being moved off middle and was wholesome scratched this week. — Eric Stephens
Utah Mammoth
André Tourigny’s job safety
Utah has a pleasant cushion constructed for the first wild-card spot in the West. Making the postseason can be an necessary milestone for head coach Tourigny to show that he’s nonetheless the proper voice for this promising younger core. Anything in need of a playoff look can be wildly disappointing for the franchise, contemplating how a lot expertise they’ve and how middling the competitors for a wild-card spot is. — Harman Dayal
Montreal Canadiens
The subsequent step in the rebuild
The Canadiens have been forward of schedule once they made the playoffs final season and stay forward of schedule now, sitting in a playoff spot a month out from the postseason. A late-season nosedive wouldn’t be a catastrophe, however it could be a missed alternative to fast-track the improvement of their younger core. With a practical likelihood for house ice in the first spherical, it’s a possibility they should grasp. — Arpon Basu
It’s a lock
Buffalo Sabres
Ending a document drought
The Sabres appear like a lock to make the playoffs. But with a league-record 14-year playoff drought, you possibly can wager no person in that constructing goes to really feel like the job is completed till the Sabres have formally clinched. Beyond that, although, the Sabres are battling for seeding down the stretch. They’ve regarded like a critical contender the previous few months, so home-ice benefit might be essential in the playoffs. — Matthew Fairburn
Carolina Hurricanes
Preparing for the playoffs
The Hurricanes have little to play for in the season’s closing month. They have the greatest cushion of any division chief and presently sit atop the Eastern Conference. Carolina has two goals heading into the playoffs: safe the finest seed it will possibly to maximise home-ice benefit and be wholesome come the postseason. Beyond that, count on the team to present a few of its younger gamers a glance with the huge membership whereas resting some veterans. — Cory Lavalette
Edmonton Oilers
Missing the playoffs is just not an possibility
Despite the lack of Leon Draisaitl for the remainder of the common season, the Oilers nonetheless should make the postseason. The group has traded all the main draft picks and mortgaged the future. Partly because of deadline additions, the team is taking part in a extra full, 200-foot sport since the deadline, and Connor McDavid stays the finest participant in hockey. The key query for followers surrounds Draisaitl’s availability come playoff time. — Allan Mitchell
Tampa Bay Lightning
First in the Atlantic
There could solely be 4 factors separating the Lightning from first place and the second wild-card seed, however this team remains to be very a lot in competition for the No. 1 seed (even with some current struggles). Tampa Bay has an elite core to lean on, regardless that Buffalo took over after a banger matchup in early March. It could come down to their subsequent assembly in early April. — Shayna Goldman
Dallas Stars
A path to a championship
It regarded like Colorado was going to run away with the prime seed in the Western Conference, however Dallas’ current 14-0-1 run has the Stars nipping at the Avalanche’s heels. In a must-win-it-all season, the distinction between dealing with the Minnesota Wild — arguably the third-best team in the league — in the first spherical and no matter deeply mediocre team finishes in the second wild-card spot is huge. Home-ice benefit for the subsequent spherical in opposition to what can be Colorado or Minnesota issues, too. — Mark Lazerus
Colorado Avalanche
Avoiding the hardest first-round matchup in the NHL
Regardless of seeding, the team that emerges from the Central Division could have gone via a gauntlet to take action. Having stated that, Colorado desperately wants to take care of its ever-shrinking lead over Dallas at the prime so as to keep away from a Cup Final-caliber matchup with Minnesota in the opening spherical of the playoffs. Hosting the second wild-card team in the West whereas Dallas and Minnesota duke it out feels like a a lot better recipe for a protracted playoff run. — Jesse Granger
Minnesota Wild
Priming to be a critical contender
The reward for the Wild’s terrific season in the nice knowledge of this playoff format might be the Stars or the Avalanche. The Wild, who will possible begin on the street, hope to get previous the first spherical for the first time in 11 years. But the Wild tend to enter the playoffs with a string of losses and/or critical well being points. As Bill Guerin stated after three current house losses, he doesn’t need the Wild to limp into the playoffs and he needs extra urgency. But well being is paramount. — Michael Russo
