Capitals
99.9% | Previous to the season, when you had informed me the Capitals could be a digital playoff lock earlier than February, I might have assumed at the very least six or seven Jap Convention groups had been sucked right into a black gap. As a substitute, Alex Ovechkin is looking down Wayne Gretzky’s all-time targets file, Pierre-Luc Dubois has new life and Logan Thompson is enjoying like a Vezina Trophy contender. — 34-11-5
2

Oilers
99.6% | It is no shock the Oilers, a staff that fell one win in need of a Stanley Cup in 2024-25, are properly on their option to the playoffs. Leon Draisaitl is enjoying at a Hart Trophy degree, and Connor McDavid is enjoying at a 123-point tempo. The one two potential Achilles heels for this staff 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 is no doubt Winnipeg goes to the postseason, however does it have one other gear to its five-on-five sport? 4 35-14-3
4

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

Hurricanes
99.5% | Carolina is not 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 crammed by Mikko Rantanen, a 55-goal scorer and a 16.2% profession shooter. He would possibly 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 will 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 stoop. It needs to be famous that Vegas’ course of has been fairly robust. The staff has a 54.2% anticipated targets share on this stretch however not the outcomes to match. The principle situation has been the Golden Knights’ incapability to show scoring probabilities into targets, which I believe will appropriate 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 Remaining runs. Goaltending has failed the Panthers thus far within the season or their probabilities could be larger. They simply need to 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 probabilities 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 in all probability 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 staff persevering with to outperform lackluster numbers for for much longer. Having stated that, the staff 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 staff obtained 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 probably the greatest scorers within the NHL. No extraordinary scrub can try this, even when they’re driving 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 likelihood is too low when you ask me. The Blue Jackets are beginning to appear to be a staff 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 Purple Wings, haven’t helped Tampa’s playoff bid. The Lightning are actually within the East’s second wild card spot, and there may be 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

Purple Wings
27.5% | For the second season in a row, the Purple 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 staff’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 mistaken route for a lot of the final month, which implies this quantity was a lot nearer to 100 initially of the brand new yr. Shedding 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 advantageous 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 probabilities fairly troublesome. Brady Tkachuk simply ended an 11-game level drought, and that sort of stretch cannot occur way 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 doubtless a playoff staff, they are not out of the woods simply but. That is as a result of their offense, or lack thereof, is holding them from being a really elite staff. Pretty much as good as Los Angeles is defensively, it lacks actual elite playmakers on the high of the lineup. That may sink the staff 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 completely, and so they’ve now received 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 long run. 5 22-20-7
19

Rangers
49.3% | Given how unhealthy issues regarded simply a few weeks in the past, the Rangers will in all probability take what is basically a coin flip right here. It is no secret New York has severe curiosity in JT Miller, and the Canucks are definitely searching for a purchaser. I’m wondering how including a participant of Miller’s caliber would have an effect on these probabilities 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 last playoff spot within the West for some time now, nevertheless it looks as if no staff desires to take a stranglehold on it. If rookie Dustin Wolf retains standing on his head in aim, Calgary could 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 probabilities weren’t nice earlier than giving up a landing to the Sabres on Tuesday, and so they’re even worse now. Boston’s particular groups are a catastrophe, Jeremy Swayman has struggled all season and the staff’s five-on-five sport is not ok 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 below John Tortorella, however for the second season in a row, it in all probability will not be ok. 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 instant aftermath of Jim Montgomery’s hiring, St. Louis regarded prefer it could possibly be the staff that snuck into the West’s last 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 in all 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 staff. So, that is unhealthy. Maybe a commerce is all that is wanted to get Vancouver again on observe, however perhaps not. The Canucks have some issues that stretch past the cleaning soap opera. 1 23-17-10
25

Predators
6.5% | Nashville’s playoff likelihood is on life help, nevertheless it does have the weakest remaining schedule within the NHL. Plus, nobody forward of the Predators within the standings has proven the power to maintain success. That offers Nashville a prayer, nevertheless it’s arduous to have religion the staff can make the most of that delicate 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 yr. Whereas the staff 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 on account of harm, and his 16 targets are second on the staff. I suppose Utah, like each different bubble staff 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 received three in a row, nevertheless it’s nonetheless arduous to see them making any noise within the West. Their five-on-five numbers, together with a 43.7% anticipated targets share, are horrific. Goaltending has needed to bail out the protection continuously, and John Gibson could also be on his manner 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 staff. A minimum of 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 probabilities affirm it. Seattle would want an epic run with a view to get again into the race, and the staff has proven zero indication that may occur. The Kraken have too many holes of their lineup, and depth cannot make up for an absence of actual firepower within the high six. That is one thing they will have to deal with within the offseason. 2 22-27-3
30

Penguins
1.3% | The Penguins is likely to be on the verge of a sell-off, however for the second it would not appear to be Sidney Crosby goes wherever. What number of groups will actually be desirous about Erik Karlsson? What in regards to the different two members of the large three, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? 2 21-24-8
31

Blackhawks
0.0% | This staff did not have an opportunity of constructing the playoffs on opening evening, and it someway obtained even worse by buying and selling away Taylor Corridor. It might get very ugly in Chicago the remainder of the way in which, 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 targets towards in its final seven video games, so I do not suppose the staff is in jeopardy of blowing its spot within the draft lottery. — 15-32-6