Mar 18, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; The Montreal Canadiens celebrate the win against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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NHL Playoffs Race: Assessing the Wild Card Chances of Top Five Contending Teams

A breakdown of nine NHL teams fighting for a wild-card spot as the playoff race heats up. Who will secure a postseason berth?

Mar 18, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; The Montreal Canadiens celebrate the win against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The battle for the final NHL wild-card spots is heating up, and the race is tighter than ever. Every night brings high-stakes matchups and dramatic shifts in the standings. In the Eastern Conference, young, up-and-coming teams are eager to end their playoff droughts, but they’ll have to get past experienced contenders, including last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners. Over in the West, few of the teams are locked in a fierce fight for a single postseason berth.

As the season nears its climax, we break down the playoff hopes of each team for you, weighing the reasons for optimism and the obstacles standing in their way.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens hold a 33-27-7 record with 73 points and 15 games remaining in the season and are catching fire at the perfect time. Their dominant 6-3 win over the Senators pushed them into a playoff spot, extending their hot streak to 8-1-2 since the 4 Nations break. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský have been thriving, outscoring opponents 11-4 at five-on-five over the last 11 games.

Lane Hutson is making an impact from the blue line, showing confidence in his offensive game while improving defensively. Meanwhile, Sam Montembeault has been a rock in net, posting seven quality starts in his last eight outings and saving 12 goals above expected.

Montreal now has a 40% chance to claim the final wild-card spot. Even if they fall short, this playoff push is a huge step forward in their rebuild, proving this young core is on the right track.

New York Rangers

The Rangers stand at 33-30-6 with 72 points and 13 games left in the season. Igor Shesterkin has been a game-changer in net, ranking third in the league with nearly 30 goals saved above expected. He’s been even better lately, delivering nine quality starts in his last 11 games while stopping 11.7 goals above expected. If anyone can carry this team into the playoffs—and even steal a series—it’s him.

Fortunately, he’s getting some help. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have picked up their form in 2025, while J.T. Miller’s arrival, Adam Fox’s return, and Will Cuylle’s emergence have given the Rangers some much-needed energy.

Columbus Blue Jackets

With a 31-28-8 record and 70 points, the Blue Jackets have 15 games left to chase a playoff spot. They’ve been one of the league’s biggest surprises, fueled by players exceeding expectations. Zach Werenski has been a force on the blue line, driving play at both ends and earning buzz for both the Norris and Hart trophies.

Valuable points on the line tonight… 👀

The @BlueJacketsNHL are eyeing a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference as #StanleyCup Playoffs race intensifies!

(via @NHLPR) pic.twitter.com/bFTNByLHsJ
— NHL (@NHL) March 21, 2025

Up front, Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov have stepped up as legitimate top-line talents. Sean Monahan has been a revelation and should return soon, while Adam Fantilli has thrived in his absence, solidifying a top-six role.

Credit goes to Dean Evason for keeping this team in the playoff mix. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if there’s any magic left, Columbus might just find a way.

Also Read: Six Carolina Hurricanes Prospects Ranked Among Elite Top 100 U-23 Skaters

Vancouver Canucks

With a 32-25-11 record and 75 points, the Canucks have 14 games left to secure their playoff spot. Their recent 6-2 statement win over Winnipeg showcased their potential, and Quinn Hughes’ return has sparked new life into their offense. Despite playing at less than full strength, Hughes’ presence has helped Vancouver win three of its last four games while averaging 4.25 goals per game.

Elias Pettersson is also heating up, posting four goals and eight points in his last seven outings. If he and Hughes stay in form, the Canucks’ strong defense, elite penalty kill, and Kevin Lankinen’s steady goaltending could be the key to locking up a postseason berth.

St. Louis Blues

With a 34-28-7 record and 75 points, the Blues have 13 games left and are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Since February 1, they’ve gone 11-3-3—third-best in the league.

Jim Montgomery’s arrival has been a game-changer, turning St. Louis into a dominant five-on-five team. Their expected goal share has jumped from a league-worst 45% under Drew Bannister to nearly 53% under Montgomery, ranking in the NHL’s top 10.

The top-six is thriving, with Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou leading the charge. Defensively, Philip Broberg and Cam Fowler have solidified the blue line, while Justin Faulk looks revitalized.

With a favorable schedule ahead—only three of their final 13 games are against top-10 teams—the Blues are in a prime position to push for a playoff spot.

Image Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Columbus Blue Jackets

Montreal Canadiens

New York Rangers

NHL

St. Louis Blues

Vancouver Canucks

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!