NHL Playoff Tiers: Analyzing Team Positions and Stakes as Season Ends

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 24, 2026 10:10 PM ET

The trade deadline is now history, and 26 days remain in the 2025-26 NHL regular season. Each club has 15 or fewer games left. Stakes are rising across the league as teams jockey for position.

Filmogaz.com staff assessed every roster using NHL Playoff Tiers, analyzing team positions and stakes as season ends. We placed clubs into five groups. Here are the key situations and what matters most to each team.

Not happening

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are competing for a high draft slot. A top-three or top-five pick is in play. They have shown improvement since the Olympic break.
New York Rangers

The Rangers are focused on development rather than tanking for lottery odds. Gabe Perreault has flourished with more minutes. Alexis Lafrenière earned a first-star honor this week.
New Jersey Devils

After a strong start, the Devils have slipped and face organizational questions. The futures of GM Tom Fitzgerald and coach Sheldon Keefe are under scrutiny. End-of-season results could influence management decisions.
Florida Panthers

Florida’s postseason chances are slim but not mathematically dead. Their first-round pick from the Seth Jones trade is top-10 protected. Whether they keep that pick remains consequential.
Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks appear destined for the bottom of the standings. They hold strong odds for the No. 1 draft selection. Evaluations of management and coach Adam Foote likely will not change.
Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs have endured a difficult season and little can reverse the narrative now. A bright spot would be a strong finish from Easton Cowan. He has seen increased minutes recently under Craig Berube.
Calgary Flames

Calgary has committed to a rebuild and is out of playoff contention. Their focus is draft position. Securing a top-three pick would be historic for the franchise.

Long shot

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers likely will miss the playoffs in year three of their rebuild. A late push and impact from young players would ease fan frustration. Top prospect Porter Martone could join after college season ends.
St. Louis Blues

The Blues remain a wildcard because of past streaks, but they are in transition. Alexander Steen will replace GM Doug Armstrong. Coach Jim Montgomery is expected to stay.
Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg needs draft capital to chase elite talent. Playoff odds look slim. Their first-round pick could shape the club’s long-term ceiling.
Washington Capitals

Washington’s final stretch may preview a post-Alex Ovechkin era. Ovechkin has not confirmed retirement plans. The Capitals finish with road games in Columbus and a home game against Pittsburgh.

Bubble team

Boston Bruins

The Bruins have rebounded from a poor 2024-25. Marco Sturm’s first season as coach looks promising. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman has regained form.
Columbus Blue Jackets

Since hiring Rick Bowness on Jan. 12, Columbus is 17-2-4. They have surged into a playoff chase. Key UFAs and Bowness’s future could hinge on making the postseason.
Detroit Red Wings

Detroit entered the year expecting playoffs. Injuries complicate their path. Missing a 10th straight postseason would hurt public confidence in the team’s direction.
Nashville Predators

Nashville is fighting to sneak into the playoffs amid front-office uncertainty. Barry Trotz’s successor is still to be named. This may be the team’s last competitive window for some time.
Seattle Kraken

Lane Lambert’s group could reach the playoffs for a second time. Strong defense and hot goaltending have kept them competitive. They must outlast Kings, Sharks and Predators in the race.
Ottawa Senators

Ottawa needs a playoff berth to validate its progress. Postseason status would help retain and attract players. Missing would raise questions about future commitment.
Los Angeles Kings

The Kings still have a shot to send Anže Kopitar into another postseason. The Pacific Division’s parity keeps them alive. A playoff appearance would add to Kopitar’s legacy.
San Jose Sharks

Macklin Celebrini has been spectacular at 19 years old. He could approach a 100-point season. Playoff exposure would bolster his Hart Trophy case and the franchise narrative.

Looks like a good bet

New York Islanders

The Islanders have maintained solid position in the Metro Division. Columbus’s surge threatens them. A rookie breakout and elite goaltending favor New York.
Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas can win a fifth Pacific Division title in nine years. That would be the most division crowns by any team since 2017-18. The division’s down year helps their case.
Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh looks poised for a deep regular-season showing. A playoff berth would extend the Crosby-Malkin-Letang era into a 20th season together. That continuity is historically rare.
Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks added top-pairing defenseman John Carlson at the deadline. They still need Mason McTavish to return to form. McTavish’s health and usage are central to their postseason hopes.
Utah Mammoth

Utah holds a comfortable edge for a wild-card spot. Making the playoffs would strengthen coach André Tourigny’s position. Falling short would be a major disappointment.
Montreal Canadiens

Montreal sits in a playoff spot with time to spare. After last season’s surprise, this is a chance to accelerate the rebuild. Home-ice opportunity remains realistic.

It’s a lock

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo appears certain to end a 14-year playoff drought. The team still must clinch officially. Seeding battles will determine home-ice advantage.
Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has the largest division cushion and leads the Eastern Conference. Their priorities are seeding and player health heading into the postseason. Young players may get added opportunities.
Edmonton Oilers

Missing the playoffs is not acceptable in Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl will miss the rest of the regular season. Connor McDavid remains the team’s driving force.
Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay remains in contention for the Atlantic’s top seed. Only a few points separate them from rivals. They still possess an elite core for the playoffs.
Dallas Stars

Dallas has surged with a 14-0-1 stretch. They pursue a seed that could ease the path to a title. Home-ice advantage matters in any matchup with Colorado or Minnesota.
Colorado Avalanche

Colorado needs to protect its thin lead over Dallas. That would help avoid a tough first-round matchup with Minnesota. Maintaining position is crucial for a long playoff run.
Minnesota Wild

Minnesota has positioned itself as a true contender. They may face Dallas or Colorado in the opening round. The Wild aim to win a playoff series for the first time in 11 years.