With the 2024-25 NHL regular season nearing its end on April 17th, the playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams secure their spots or are eliminated from contention.
This week sees a shift at the top of our rankings, and we`re also assessing how each of the 32 teams has performed relative to their preseason point projections from ESPN BET.
Ranking Methodology: Our power rankings are determined by a consensus poll from ESPN hockey experts, including commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors. They provide rankings from 1 to 32 based on games played through Wednesday.
Note: Rankings are based on games through Wednesday, with previous rankings from March 28th. Point percentages are current as of Thursday`s games.
2. Washington Capitals
- Previous ranking: 1
- Points percentage: 70.0%
- Projected points: 89.5
- Points pace: 114.8
While Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of Gretzky`s record is a major storyline, the Capitals have emerged as a well-rounded and formidable team. Their Stanley Cup aspirations are once again in focus.
3. Dallas Stars
- Previous ranking: 3
- Points percentage: 69.3%
- Projected points: 103.5
- Points pace: 113.0
Expected to be strong, the Stars have surpassed projections and are contenders for the Presidents` Trophy.
4. Vegas Golden Knights
- Previous ranking: 4
- Points percentage: 65.3%
- Projected points: 97.5
- Points pace: 108.6
Playoff regulars, the Golden Knights are aiming for another deep run, hoping to replicate their 2023 Cup victory.
5. Carolina Hurricanes
- Previous ranking: 5
- Points percentage: 64.9%
- Projected points: 100.5
- Points pace: 106.4
Under Rod Brind`Amour, the Hurricanes are consistently in the playoffs, with sights set on reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Previous ranking: 9
- Points percentage: 64.0%
- Projected points: 102.5
- Points pace: 105.0
Making their ninth consecutive playoff appearance, the Maple Leafs, now with Craig Berube`s system, hope for a less disappointing postseason.
7. Colorado Avalanche
- Previous ranking: 6
- Points percentage: 63.6%
- Projected points: 102.5
- Points pace: 103.6
Despite an inconsistent season, the Avalanche are performing roughly as expected.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Previous ranking: 11
- Points percentage: 62.0%
- Projected points: 98.5
- Points pace: 103.1
Strengthened by acquisitions at the trade deadline, the Lightning have been among the league`s best since early March.
9. Los Angeles Kings
- Previous ranking: 7
- Points percentage: 63.3%
- Projected points: 96.5
- Points pace: 103.1
With a strong defense, the Kings are poised for a likely first-round matchup against Edmonton.
10. Florida Panthers
- Previous ranking: 8
- Points percentage: 61.3%
- Projected points: 102.5
- Points pace: 100.6
Slightly below expectations, the Panthers are likely headed for a first-round rematch with Tampa Bay.
11. Edmonton Oilers
- Previous ranking: 10
- Points percentage: 62.0%
- Projected points: 108.5
- Points pace: 100.8
The Oilers have avoided a Stanley Cup Final hangover, though they may finish slightly behind projections. A championship run is their main focus.
12. St. Louis Blues
- Previous ranking: 12
- Points percentage: 59.1%
- Projected points: 86.5
- Points pace: 96.0
The surging Blues have entered the playoff conversation and are set to exceed preseason expectations.
13. New Jersey Devils
- Previous ranking: 14
- Points percentage: 57.2%
- Projected points: 101.5
- Points pace: 93.9
Clinging to a playoff spot earned in the first half, injuries have hampered the Devils down the stretch.
14. Minnesota Wild
- Previous ranking: 13
- Points percentage: 58.6%
- Projected points: 93.5
- Points pace: 96.0
A strong start has kept the Wild in a playoff position and ahead of their projected point total.
15. Ottawa Senators
- Previous ranking: 15
- Points percentage: 57.3%
- Projected points: 90.5
- Points pace: 93.1
Likely headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Senators aim to start a new postseason streak.
16. Calgary Flames
- Previous ranking: 16
- Points percentage: 56.0%
- Projected points: 81.5
- Points pace: 90.9
Playoff hopes are fading, but the Flames have shown more progress than anticipated.
17. Vancouver Canucks
- Previous ranking: 17
- Points percentage: 54.0%
- Projected points: 99.5
- Points pace: 88.6
A significant drop from division leaders, the Canucks` playoff miss would be a major disappointment.
18. Montreal Canadiens
- Previous ranking: 18
- Points percentage: 54.0%
- Projected points: 76.5
- Points pace: 87.5
Contrary to predictions, the Canadiens are surprisingly in the wild-card mix.
19. Utah Hockey Club
- Previous ranking: 19
- Points percentage: 52.6%
- Projected points: 87.5
- Points pace: 87.5
In their inaugural season, Utah is unexpectedly competing for a playoff spot.
20. New York Rangers
- Previous ranking: 21
- Points percentage: 52.7%
- Projected points: 100.5
- Points pace: 86.4
Underperforming projections, the Rangers are still in the wild-card race, amidst more significant collapses from other contenders.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Previous ranking: 22
- Points percentage: 52.0%
- Projected points: 69.5
- Points pace: 86.5
Despite low preseason expectations, the Blue Jackets remain in playoff contention late in the season.
22. Detroit Red Wings
- Previous ranking: 23
- Points percentage: 50.7%
- Projected points: 90.5
- Points pace: 83.1
Playoff hopes are dimming for the Red Wings, as their fans` patience awaits a return to contention.
23. New York Islanders
- Previous ranking: 20
- Points percentage: 50.0%
- Projected points: 91.5
- Points pace: 82.0
The Islanders` knack for just making the playoffs is being tested as time runs short this season.
24. Anaheim Ducks
- Previous ranking: 26
- Points percentage: 49.3%
- Projected points: 72.5
- Points pace: 82.0
Out of playoff contention, the Ducks have still outperformed preseason expectations.
25. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Previous ranking: 24
- Points percentage: 47.4%
- Projected points: 90.5
- Points pace: 77.6
A late surge appears insufficient for the Penguins to avoid missing the playoffs for the third straight season.
26. Buffalo Sabres
- Previous ranking: 30
- Points percentage: 47.3%
- Projected points: 88.5
- Points pace: 77.6
The Sabres` playoff drought will extend to 14 seasons in 2024-25.
27. Philadelphia Flyers
- Previous ranking: 29
- Points percentage: 46.7%
- Projected points: 85.5
- Points pace: 76.6
Falling out of contention earlier this season led to a coaching change for the Flyers.
28. Seattle Kraken
- Previous ranking: 27
- Points percentage: 46.1%
- Projected points: 87.5
- Points pace: 75.5
The Kraken`s second-round playoff appearance in 2023 now looks like an exception, not the norm.
29. Boston Bruins
- Previous ranking: 25
- Points percentage: 45.4%
- Projected points: 99.5
- Points pace: 75.4
With a significant negative goal differential, the Bruins are in need of an offseason reset.
30. Nashville Predators
- Previous ranking: 28
- Points percentage: 40.8%
- Projected points: 98.5
- Points pace: 67.8
The Predators, despite an offseason spending spree, have become an example of offseason wins not translating to regular season success and are eliminated from playoff contention.
31. Chicago Blackhawks
- Previous ranking: 31
- Points percentage: 34.7%
- Projected points: 73.5
- Points pace: 56.9
Mission accomplished for Chicago: securing a high draft pick to complement Connor Bedard.
32. San Jose Sharks
- Previous ranking: 32
- Points percentage: 33.3%
- Projected points: 63.5
- Points pace: 55.4
While there are positives for the future, the Sharks will likely fall short of their projected point total. Significant changes may be coming.
