The New York Rangers, after winning the Presidents` Trophy last season, were expected to contend for a playoff spot again in 2024-25. Similarly, the Minnesota Wild, who led the league standings in early December, seemed like a lock for the playoffs.
However, as they approach their Wednesday night game, the playoff outlook for both teams is uncertain. Both the Rangers and Wild have struggled recently, each posting an 8-9-3 record in their last 20 games.
Despite their recent struggles, the Wild currently hold a playoff spot and Stathletes gives them a 93.7% chance of making the playoffs. This is largely due to their relatively easy remaining schedule. Their opponents have a combined winning percentage of just 46.0%, the second-lowest in the league. Only the New Jersey Devils have an easier schedule remaining.
The Rangers, in contrast, have a much tougher road to the playoffs with only a 19.0% chance of qualifying. Their remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of 54.1%, the second-highest in the league, only behind the Detroit Red Wings.
If the Wild make the playoffs as the first wild card, they are likely to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round. If they are the second wild card, their opponent would likely be the Winnipeg Jets. Unfortunately for Minnesota, they were winless against both of these potential opponents this season, going 0-3 against each.
The Rangers` most probable playoff scenario is as the second wild card, which would pit them against the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have been a difficult matchup for the Rangers, winning all three of their games this season. The Rangers could also potentially grab the first wild card, which would mean a first-round series against the Atlantic Division champions. Against these teams, they went 1-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, 0-2 against the Florida Panthers (with one more game to play on April 14), and 0-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning (with games upcoming on April 7 and April 17).
Therefore, while both teams face challenging playoff paths, simply securing a playoff berth is the first step, as anything can happen in the playoffs!
With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season until April 17, the NHL playoff race is heating up. Stay tuned for updates on the playoff picture and the teams vying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
- M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
- M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Minnesota Wild
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
- P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 St. Louis Blues
- P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Wednesday`s Games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
- Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
- Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. (TNT)
- Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.
- Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks, 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Seattle Kraken at Vancouver Canucks, 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday`s Scoreboard
- Washington Capitals 4, Boston Bruins 3
- Montreal Canadiens 3, Florida Panthers 2 (OT)
- Buffalo Sabres 5, Ottawa Senators 2
- Columbus Blue Jackets 8, Nashville Predators 4
- Tampa Bay Lightning 4, New York Islanders 1
- St. Louis Blues 2, Detroit Red Wings 1 (OT)
- Utah Hockey Club 3, Calgary Flames 1
- Edmonton Oilers 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2
- Anaheim Ducks 4, San Jose Sharks 3 (SO)
- Los Angeles Kings 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 94 | 37 | A1 | 8 | 104.1 | vs. FLA (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 93 | 38 | A2 | 8 | 103.1 | @ OTT (Thursday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Florida Panthers | 92 | 35 | A3 | 8 | 102.0 | @ TOR (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Ottawa Senators | 84 | 30 | WC1 | 8 | 93.1 | vs. TB (Thursday) | 98.6% | N/A |
| Montreal Canadiens | 79 | 25 | WC2 | 8 | 87.5 | vs. BOS (Thursday) | 51.7% | N/A |
| Detroit Red Wings | 75 | 26 | N/A | 8 | 83.1 | vs. CAR (Friday) | 2.3% | 13 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 70 | 26 | N/A | 8 | 77.6 | vs. TB (Saturday) | 0.1% | 8 |
| Boston Bruins | 69 | 23 | N/A | 7 | 75.4 | @ MTL (Thursday) | ~0% | 5 |
Metro Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | 105 | 41 | M1 | 8 | 116.4 | @ CAR (Wednesday) | 100% | N/A |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 94 | 40 | M2 | 9 | 105.6 | vs. WSH (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| New Jersey Devils | 87 | 35 | M3 | 6 | 93.9 | vs. NYR (Saturday) | 99.8% | N/A |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 77 | 24 | N/A | 9 | 86.5 | vs. COL (Thursday) | 25.5% | 17 |
| New York Rangers | 77 | 32 | N/A | 8 | 85.3 | vs. MIN (Wednesday) | 19.0% | 15 |
| New York Islanders | 74 | 25 | N/A | 8 | 82 | vs. MIN (Friday) | 3.1% | 12 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 71 | 20 | N/A | 7 | 77.6 | @ STL (Thursday) | 0.1% | 7 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 71 | 20 | N/A | 6 | 76.6 | @ MTL (Saturday) | ~0% | 5 |
Central Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Jets | 106 | 40 | C1 | 7 | 115.9 | @ VGK (Thursday) | 100% | N/A |
| Dallas Stars | 102 | 40 | C2 | 8 | 113.0 | vs. NSH (Thursday) | 100% | N/A |
| Colorado Avalanche | 94 | 38 | C3 | 7 | 102.8 | @ CHI (Wednesday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| St. Louis Blues | 89 | 30 | WC1 | 6 | 96.0 | vs. PIT (Thursday) | 96.9% | N/A |
| Minnesota Wild | 88 | 33 | WC2 | 7 | 96.2 | @ NYR (Wednesday) | 93.7% | N/A |
| Utah Hockey Club | 80 | 26 | N/A | 7 | 87.5 | vs. LA (Thursday) | 0.7% | 7 |
| Nashville Predators | 62 | 23 | N/A | 7 | 67.8 | @ DAL (Thursday) | 0% | E |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 51 | 18 | N/A | 8 | 56.5 | vs. COL (Wednesday) | 0% | E |
Pacific Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Games Left | Points Pace | Next Game | Playoff Chances | Tragic Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 98 | 42 | P1 | 8 | 108.6 | vs. WPG (Thursday) | 100% | N/A |
| Los Angeles Kings | 93 | 37 | P3 | 8 | 103.1 | @ UTA (Thursday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Edmonton Oilers | 91 | 31 | P2 | 8 | 100.8 | @ SJ (Thursday) | 99.9% | N/A |
| Calgary Flames | 82 | 26 | N/A | 8 | 90.9 | vs. ANA (Thursday) | 6.4% | 11 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 26 | N/A | 8 | 89.8 | vs. SEA (Wednesday) | 2.4% | 10 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 74 | 23 | N/A | 8 | 82.0 | @ CGY (Thursday) | ~0% | 3 |
| Seattle Kraken | 68 | 25 | N/A | 7 | 74.3 | @ VAN (Wednesday) | 0% | E |
| San Jose Sharks | 50 | 14 | N/A | 8 | 55.4 | vs. EDM (Thursday) | 0% | E |
Note: An `x` means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An `e` means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL`s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
| Rank | Team | Points | Regulation Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | San Jose Sharks | 50 | 14 |
| 2. | Chicago Blackhawks | 51 | 18 |
| 3. | Nashville Predators | 62 | 23 |
| 4. | Seattle Kraken | 68 | 25 |
| 5. | Buffalo Sabres | 70 | 26 |
| 6. | Boston Bruins | 69 | 23 |
| 7. | Philadelphia Flyers | 71 | 20 |
| 8. | Pittsburgh Penguins | 71 | 20 |
| 9. | Anaheim Ducks | 74 | 23 |
| 10. | New York Islanders | 74 | 25 |
| 11. | Detroit Red Wings | 75 | 26 |
| 12. | New York Rangers | 77 | 32 |
| 13. | Columbus Blue Jackets | 77 | 24 |
| 14. | Utah Hockey Club | 80 | 26 |
| 15. | Vancouver Canucks | 81 | 26 |
| 16. | Calgary Flames | 82 | 26 |
