Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon is continuous to play out of his thoughts. MacKinnon set the franchise file for factors in a season and surpassed Joe Sakic within the course of. Colorado continues to rack up wins at an absurd price 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 high groups within the East. New York is averaging a staggering 4.8 targets 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 shall be one harmful workforce 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 together with his new workforce. It additionally would not damage that Evgeny Kuznetsov can be offering some depth because the second-line middle. On high 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, they usually might 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 scorching 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 a complete this 12 months, however he has given up two targets apiece in every of his final three begins. If that sort of manufacturing can maintain up, this group shall 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 workforce, the Oilers are battling for the second playoff spot within the Pacific Division, however they might want to get again on monitor 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 these days with 4 straight losses, together with not too long ago being shut out by the Capitals. Vezina Trophy frontrunner Connor Hellebuyck has had just a few lackluster outings, however there is not an excessive amount of cause to fret in relation 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 damage, and he probably shall 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 is no rush to get Demko again onto the ice. — 45-20-8
10

Predators
There’s not a warmer workforce 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 objective in every of his final six video games to steer the cost. — 43-26-4
11

Golden Knights
The Golden Knights will be the second Wild Card workforce proper now, however it is a workforce defying all the percentages. Shedding captain Mark Stone wasn’t supreme, however Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault are main the best way. That is additionally a gaggle that can get Tomas Hertl into the fold towards the top of the common season, and it might 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 workforce has been underwhelming at instances. The comfort prize is that Auston Matthews is locked up for the foreseeable future and he may very well be this 12 months’s main objective scorer. 1 41-22-9
13

Lightning
The Lightning will not be flashy, however that is probably a workforce 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 definitely may very well 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 stage, and he is about to file 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 targets in his final 5 video games and is pacing Washington on its current scorching 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 workforce that almost all Jap 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 until they go on a ridiculous run late within the 12 months. Whereas it has been a disappointing 12 months, the Wild have a ton to sit up for in relation to their future. Defenseman Brock Faber has been fairly spectacular, and he would most likely 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’d take a miracle for them to seize a type of two Wild Card spots. — 39-30-4
19

Pink Wings
It is laborious to say that anybody predicted the Pink 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 workforce that has dropped 10 of its final 13 video games. Detroit may miss the playoffs fully at this price. 1 36-30-7
20

Islanders
For a quick interval, it appeared that head coach Patrick Roy was turning the tide for the Islanders. Nevertheless, this workforce is floundering proper now, and it probably 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 12 months 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. — 35-34-5
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 to this point with a 2.50 goals-against-average in six video games since becoming a member of the workforce. Retool the protection within the offseason, and this undoubtedly generally is a playoff workforce in 2024-25. 1 36-34-4
23

Flames
The Flames clearly aren’t a playoff workforce, they usually have dropped seven of their final 9 video games. Whereas it has been a tough couple of seasons in Calgary, the workforce 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 basically going to be a workforce to look at this offseason to see in the event that they actually embrace the rebuild. In the event that they do, Sidney Crosby might have a brand new house in 2024-25. 1 32-30-10
25

Kraken
The Kraken have been anticipated to be a playoff workforce 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 workforce of potential simply hasn’t carried out as much as requirements this season. One constructive is star middle Tim Stutzle being on the verge of setting a brand new career-high in assists and looking out 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 complete over the previous few seasons in 2023-24, so there may be mild on the finish of the tunnel. Clayton Keller is having an incredible 12 months, whereas former No. 3 decide Logan Cooley has been productive in his rookie marketing campaign. A possible run at a playoff berth within the close to future will 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 in relation to the Canadiens this season. Nevertheless, former No. 1 decide 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 start line for a rebuilding franchise. 2 28-32-12
29

Blue Jackets
It is probably this case 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 would 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, nevertheless 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 decide, so there’s a little bit little bit of a silver lining. 1 21-47-5
31

Geese
Whereas the Geese could not catch the Sharks, Anaheim nonetheless ought to have some sturdy odds to win the Macklin Celebrini derby and purchase the No. 1 decide. 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, they usually have been an automated win for his or her competitors. — 16-48-8