The commerce deadline is behind us and there are solely 26 days till the top of the 2024-25 NHL common season.
With every staff having 15 or fewer video games left, consideration has shifted to the ultimate stretch of the season. Whether or not a staff is vying for a division title, in a good playoff chase or trying 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 employees to place groups into 5 playoff tiers — “not occurring,” “lengthy shot,” “bubble staff,” “appears like a very good guess” and “it’s a lock” — and spotlight what’s at stake for every staff down the stretch. Groups are listed alphabetically of their respective tiers.
Not occurring
Boston Bruins
What’s at stake: Who would be the subsequent captain?
The Bruins are sinking. They traded 5 gamers off their roster. It’s unlikely interim coach Joe Sacco will assume a everlasting title behind the bench. Morale is low. So it is a good time for the group to find out who will substitute Brad Marchand as captain. David Pastrnak is presently carrying the one “A” with Charlie McAvoy injured. Pastrnak is understood for his positivity and friendliness together with his teammates. If Pastrnak may also help the staff maintain its head excessive, he might be the following captain. — Fluto Shinzawa
Buffalo Sabres
What’s at stake: The route of the rebuild
The Sabres will miss the playoffs for a 14th straight season and are going to be a lottery staff in Kevyn Adams’ fifth season as basic supervisor. However he’s nonetheless been talking and working like somebody who will keep employed past this season. Buffalo nonetheless has a whole lot of inquiries to reply this offseason past Adams’ job safety. Will Lindy Ruff keep on as coach? Will he herald new assistants? Which gamers will probably be a part of the long run? The stretch run might assist decide some solutions to these questions. — Matthew Fairburn
Chicago Blackhawks
What’s at stake: Anders Sörensen’s audition for everlasting coach
Time is operating out for Blackhawks interim coach Anders Sörensen to show he deserves a shot at being the everlasting coach. The Blackhawks have had some highs and lows since he was promoted. Some consistency down the stretch would probably be useful for his case. — Scott Powers
Nashville Predators
What’s at stake: Andrew Brunette’s future as coach
Predators basic supervisor Barry Trotz has made public feedback lately that counsel he expects Brunette again subsequent season, however he then tried to stroll again these feedback and made clear there isn’t a closing analysis at this level. The Preds are higher off shedding to extend their lottery odds, and the lineup displays that at occasions, however Brunette nonetheless should attempt to get the perfect he can out of those guys every night time. Particularly if Trotz is actually undecided. — Joe Rexrode
Philadelphia Flyers
What’s at stake: Spots for the long run
After dealing helpful and young-ish gamers Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to Calgary in late January, Flyers basic supervisor Daniel Briere supplied an unstated reminder to the younger guys nonetheless on the staff that the bar is excessive to stay for the long run. Administration will probably be retaining a detailed eye on the gamers who’re nonetheless creating to find out whether or not to maintain them or maybe attempt to deal them in a commerce this offseason. — Kevin Kurz
Sidney Crosby has 76 factors in 69 video games this season. (Steph Chambers / Getty Photographs)
Pittsburgh Penguins
What’s at stake: Sidney Crosby’s point-per-game streak
Sidney Crosby wants 4 factors over the Penguins’ final 11 video games to finish his twentieth point-per-game season in a row, which might break Wayne Gretzky’s document of 19. Apart from hoping to indicate off a brand new and improved Tristan Jarry to potential summer season patrons, there isn’t a ton for the Penguins to play for at this level. Crosby missed two video games earlier this season, so his magic quantity is 80 factors. He presently sits at 76 factors in 69 video games performed. — Josh Yohe
San Jose Sharks
What’s at stake: Profitable the draft lottery — once more?
The one targets the Sharks had coming into the season had been taking part in a extra aggressive model of hockey in Ryan Warsofsky’s first 12 months as coach and ushering Macklin Celebrini into the NHL. If success is seeing Celebrini already changing into their greatest participant, Will Smith beginning to blossom within the second half and William Eklund exhibiting to be a core playmaking ahead, then name it success for San Jose. The wins will come later, the long run is now and which means seeing kids Shakir Mukhamadullin, Collin Graf and Luca Cagnoni progress down the stretch. In any other case, why not attempt to land the No. 1 choose and take into consideration including Matthew Schaefer to a promising blue line? — Eric Stephens
Seattle Kraken
What’s at stake: The staff’s lottery odds
Two years out from a fairy story run to inside a recreation of the Convention Remaining, the Kraken have been a large disappointment, and nothing that happens down the stretch can actually change that. At the least Shane Wright has taken a serious step, and Kaapo Kakko has flashed some main potential. The Kraken made some severe strikes to start to rebuild, and given their lack of progress after each a training change and a pair of pricy win-now strikes this offseason, are most likely greatest served by bettering their lottery odds down the stretch. The interior stress to make actual progress subsequent season needs to be important. — Thomas Drance
Lengthy shot
Anaheim Geese
What’s at stake: Momentum for 2025-26 with a robust end
The Geese will fall wanting a wild-card berth, however they’ve reached the step of taking part in video games of some significance in March for the primary time in a number of years. They’ve received 13 video games left to make an announcement that they intend to be a playoff staff subsequent season. Their final playoff look got here in 2018, which can be the final time they completed above .500. Nice goaltending by Lukas Dostal and John Gibson has powered all of them season however now they’re seeing Jackson LaCombe grow to be a power on protection and Mason McTavish having a giant second half. Trevor Zegras is beginning to recapture his mojo as some extent producer. Now could be the time to play spoiler after which construct on the roster within the offseason. — Eric Stephens
New York Islanders
What’s at stake: Lower than you’d assume
Lou Lamoriello, who’ll be 83 in October, doesn’t appear to be in peril of being requested to depart by possession. Patrick Roy is locked in behind the bench. The Islanders traded Brock Nelson for a very good return on the deadline however would have some work to do to make different modifications within the offseason. The playoffs can be good, however we’ve identified what this staff is for some time now, and lacking out received’t alter that notion. — Arthur Staple
Utah Hockey Membership
What’s at stake: Constructing goodwill in a brand new market
The Utahns are solely 4 factors again of the ultimate wild-card spot within the West, however they should leap a few groups and don’t maintain the tiebreaker. Their chances are high right down to 9 % and an absolute pounding by the Oilers (7-1 loss) on Tuesday and up to date losses to Chicago and Seattle haven’t helped. Maintaining issues shut would be the aim, as nobody’s job is probably going on the road, with the actual check coming within the offseason for this entrance workplace. They’ll have tons of cap house, a brand new title, rising younger stars and an opportunity to make some noise in 2025-26. Yr 2 in Salt Lake Metropolis would be the first with actual stress. — James Mirtle
Bubble staff
Calgary Flames
What’s at stake: Their very own first-round choose
Calgary is taking part in with home cash by being in competition thanks partially to their staff MVP Dustin Wolf. One large query now could be: Which first-round choose are they giving as much as Montreal after this season due to that Sean Monahan commerce? The place they end within the standings will dictate which of their first-rounders they’ll have to surrender (not together with the New Jersey choose). — Julian McKenzie
Columbus Blue Jackets
What’s at stake: A very inspirational story
The Blue Jackets aren’t alleged to be right here. They had been anticipated to be among the many dregs of the NHL, down there on the backside of the standings with San Jose, Chicago, Anaheim, and many others. Fact be informed, in shedding eight of their final 9, together with six straight, the Jackets are most likely nearer to an extended shot than a bubble staff. They’re three factors behind Montreal for the ultimate spot, however that murky center of the Japanese Convention is kind of the visitors jam. They’ve already overachieved, however this season received’t be considered by fairly the identical lens in the event that they don’t make the playoffs. — Aaron Portzline
Detroit Crimson Wings
What’s at stake: A summer season of discontent
Detroit has been a lot better since head coach Todd McLellan arrived at Christmas, getting again into the playoff race regardless of lengthy odds. Besides, Crimson Wings followers’ endurance has slowly evaporated after eight lengthy years with out playoff hockey. Steve Yzerman is protected as basic supervisor, however lacking the postseason for a ninth straight 12 months definitely received’t make it a cushty summer season in Hockeytown, the place the stress to win is now actually ramping up. There aren’t many apparent options in free company, particularly given Detroit’s so-so monitor document there the previous couple of seasons, however the Crimson Wings can’t simply hold ready endlessly — particularly with Montreal seemingly already having caught as much as them. — Max Bultman
The Canadiens are making a late push for the playoffs. (Eric Bolte / Imagn Photographs)
Montreal Canadiens
What’s at stake: A fantastic improvement alternative
The Canadiens have already achieved their aim of taking part in significant video games in March; the very fact they largely have their playoff future in their very own fingers this late into the season is a bonus. However for the younger core of this rebuild, to have a chance to expertise the depth of the playoffs can be a useful improvement second. The Canadiens are removed from a completed product, there are a number of items left so as to add and develop on this rebuild, however a playoff look would function an accelerator in some ways, and proof to their followers that brighter days are across the nook and their endurance will probably be rewarded. — Arpon Basu
New York Rangers
What’s at stake: Respectability
The Rangers have been a multitude most of this season. Their protection is among the many worst within the league, and Chris Drury has tried to remake to roster on the fly. They’ve dug themselves a gap within the standings, and the percentages are stacked towards them to make the playoffs. The remainder of this season must be about committing to profitable habits and seeing if outcomes observe. In the event that they don’t (and even perhaps in the event that they do) this offseason might characteristic a lot extra modifications to the roster, and possibly even the employees. — Peter Baugh
St. Louis Blues
What’s at stake: How a lot of the core is saved
This will probably be Doug Armstrong’s closing offseason as Blues basic supervisor. The group introduced final June that Alexander Steen will substitute him after the 2025-26 season and Armstrong’s sole title will probably be president of hockey operations. As his clock winds down, Armstrong indicated that he’d discover making modifications to the Blues’ core group of gamers if the outcomes didn’t enhance. Properly, these core gamers have responded effectively, and the outcomes have been higher. If the membership can full its late-season surge and finish a two-year playoff drought, maybe he’ll take into account retaining a few these gamers who he could have deliberate to maneuver this summer season. — Jeremy Rutherford
Vancouver Canucks
What’s at stake: Just about all the things
The membership’s time beyond regulation loss on Thursday in St. Louis will ding its odds, however the Canucks are within the combine for the second wild-card spot regardless of a season that’s been outlined by inconsistency, harm and off-ice dysfunction up to now. From a playoff berth to the staff’s general route, nearly all the things feels prefer it’s on the road for the Canucks. — Thomas Drance
Seems to be like a very good guess
Minnesota Wild
What’s at stake: Making the playoffs
The Wild have a little bit cushion of their wild-card spot but it surely’s getting tighter with a bunch of groups pushing. And Minnesota has a troublesome week forward with a Dallas/Vegas back-to-back after which internet hosting the Capitals. Accidents have been an enormous issue all season with Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek nonetheless out for some time. There received’t be a regime change or teaching change in the event that they miss the playoffs. But it surely’s nonetheless essential, particularly with the Wild having traded their first-round choose for David Jiricek. They may get a lift down the stretch or for the playoffs if prime prospect Zeev Buium does certainly signal after the College of Denver season. — Joe Smith
New Jersey Devils
What’s at stake: Setting an ordinary for the long run
With Jack Hughes out, the Devils are laborious to take severely as a Stanley Cup contender. In some ways, the remainder of this season is about laying the groundwork for the long run. New Jersey wants to indicate it’s a respectable playoff staff, even with out Hughes, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler. Making the postseason nonetheless issues. And who is aware of, if the Devils get in possibly they will push a staff (Carolina is their probably opponent) within the first spherical and possibly steal a sequence. That will construct good momentum heading into 2025-26, when the staff hopes to be wholesome sufficient for a extra respectable Stanley Cup push. — Peter Baugh
Ottawa Senators
What’s at stake: The staff’s core
The Senators have a 93 % likelihood of constructing the playoffs in response to Dom Luszczyszyn’s mannequin. They caught hearth on the proper time and made important strikes on the deadline to enhance their staff. That features buying and selling away Josh Norris from their core to amass Dylan Cozens. It’s a transfer many would possibly’ve anticipated within the offseason, however the Sens did it sooner. In the event that they in some way miss now, it’ll be a catastrophic finish to their season and would possibly necessitate additional modifications to their core. — Julian McKenzie
It’s a lock
Carolina Hurricanes
What’s at stake: Solidifying the lineup
The Hurricanes have new faces, injured gamers poised to return and prospects all vying for ice time. Coach Rod Brind’Amour might want to match collectively all of the items, decide if younger defensemen Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin issue into Carolina’s postseason plans and determine which goalie will prepared the ground within the playoffs. — Cory Lavalette
Colorado Avalanche
What’s at stake: Dwelling ice within the opening spherical
There are many (justified) complaints in regards to the present playoff format. It’s unlucky that two of the league’s greatest in Colorado and Dallas are set to fulfill within the first spherical, but it surely’s a actuality. In all chance, we’re heading for that heavyweight brawl, and in a sequence that might simply go seven video games, residence ice might be essential. Profitable Sunday’s assembly in time beyond regulation was a very good begin, however the Avalanche nonetheless have some work to do to catch the Stars within the standings. — Jesse Granger
Mikko Rantanen has had a good sufficient begin to his Stars profession. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Photographs)
Dallas Stars
What’s at stake: Mikko Rantanen’s consolation stage
Miro Heiskanen’s unsure availability for the primary spherical hangs over all the things, however within the common season, all that actually issues is residence ice towards Colorado (meh, no matter) and ensuring Rantanen is firing on all cylinders come the playoffs. He’s had a good sufficient begin to his Stars profession, however he must be totally comfy with the Stars’ system, his linemates (Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson) and his off-ice life if Dallas goes to stay as much as its full potential and win the Stanley Cup. These previous few weeks must be all about placing Rantanen in a very good headspace coming into the postseason. — Mark Lazerus
Edmonton Oilers
What’s at stake: A Pacific Division crown
The Oilers will make their sixth straight playoff look relationship to the 2020 bubble. The one factor to be decided is the place they’ll be slotted within the Western Convention bracket. Veteran defenceman Mattias Ekholm lamented in coaching camp that the Oilers had residence ice in solely considered one of their 4 playoff sequence final spring. To make sure no less than two, they’ll must fend off Los Angeles and surpass Vegas to assert their first division title since 1986-87. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman
Florida Panthers
What’s at stake: Making an attempt to keep away from the 2-3 matchup in Spherical 1
With one other win over Columbus on Thursday night time, the defending champs moved one step nearer to clinching a playoff spot. Florida is taking part in with out 4 key gamers proper now — Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Dmitry Kulikov — and it’s been a little bit of a bumpy stretch. The Panthers have a troublesome schedule left and actually primarily wish to attempt to enter the postseason with out shedding anybody else. However profitable the Atlantic — and avoiding the Leafs or Lightning — issues, too, even when the highest wild-card staff figures to be coming into the playoffs purple sizzling. — James Mirtle
Los Angeles Kings
What’s at stake: Dwelling-ice benefit within the first spherical
The Kings are too good defensively and too phenomenal at residence to fall out of playoff competition, so that they’re a lock. The carrot that’s in entrance of them is with the ability to begin a sequence at residence, which hasn’t occurred in three straight playoff defeats to Edmonton. With 11 of their closing 15 at residence, they’ve received a shot to overhaul the Oilers for second place within the Pacific Division. Monitoring down Vegas for the division title might be out of attain however they want extra offense all through their lineup to help Darcy Kuemper, who’s having a terrific comeback season. — Eric Stephens
Tampa Bay Lightning
What’s at stake: Dwelling-ice benefit
The Lightning’s playoff standing is actually locked up at this level. The one query is the place they end within the division. Leaping up (and sustaining) the second seed would guarantee Tampa Bay no less than has residence ice in Spherical 1. But when this staff can sneak into first place, it will solidify that standing by no less than two rounds. Having residence ice isn’t all the things, however being able to manage the matchups to open a sequence is usually a actual benefit — whether or not Jon Cooper opts for a power-versus-power matchup together with his prime gamers or sends Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh out to close down the opponents’ greatest. — Shayna Goldman
Toronto Maple Leafs
What’s at stake: The Atlantic Division title
The Leafs have by no means received the Atlantic. A win this spring would equal a lighter first-round matchup, which might equal a lighter path, theoretically, to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1967. Profitable it’s going to imply beating out Florida and Tampa Bay. The Leafs have dropped each video games to the Panthers to date, however nonetheless play them twice in April. They’ve received, then again, each conferences with the Lightning with yet another assembly nonetheless to go. These video games could effectively decide 1-2-3. — Jonas Siegel
Vegas Golden Knights
What’s at stake: Fourth Pacific Division title in eight years
The Golden Knights have constructed a small lead over Edmonton and Los Angeles in chase of their fourth division title in eight seasons. Attending to the end line would assure Vegas residence ice for the primary two rounds of the playoffs, and extra importantly, keep away from the Oilers and Kings — who’ve each performed them effectively — within the opening spherical. The Golden Knights are 25-7-3 at T-Cell Area this season, the second-most residence wins within the NHL. — Jesse Granger
Washington Capitals
What’s at stake: A beginning function within the playoffs
The simple reply right here is Alex Ovechkin’s aim chase. That may be a main focus for each Washington and your entire league. However there’s one different storyline to observe — the goalie rotation. The Capitals have had an excellent rotation all season, with Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson taking part in each different recreation till this week when Thompson began two straight. Groups are inclined to lean on one goalie within the playoffs, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Thompson begins taking part in consecutive video games extra often to organize, or if Lindgren can push for a glance because the 1A. — Shayna Goldman
Winnipeg Jets
What’s at stake: A number of end-of-season awards and, extra importantly: Cup-contending confidence
The Jets might win their first Presidents’ Trophy. They’re effectively on their option to their second straight William M. Jennings Trophy. Connor Hellebuyck has an excellent case to repeat because the Vezina winner, whereas a robust end-of-season push might get him on extra individuals’s radar for the Hart. Josh Morrissey will earn Norris votes, Adam Lowry will get consideration for the Selke, Scott Arniel must be thought-about for the Jack Adams and but: an important factor on the road for Winnipeg is its personal self-confidence. The Jets haven’t been out of the primary spherical since 2021, so each recreation between in the present day and the playoffs is about proving Winnipeg is able to overcome current playoff demons. That is meant to be the 12 months. — Murat Ates
(Prime images of Victor Hedman and Auston Matthews: Ray Seebeck and Sergei Belski / Imagn Photographs)