Each NHL team has roughly 14 games left to play in the 2023-24 regular season, fueling intense battles in the standings. At this stage, every point matters, and subpar nights can mean the difference between starting on the road or playing at home when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin. Or worse, not qualifying for the playoffs, at all.
As we approach two weeks since the trade deadline, which new additions have helped their teams improve, and which deadline sellers improved their draft odds?
NHL Power Rankings: Draft Lottery Front Runners
Macklin Celebrini continues to be the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He has 55 points in 33 games at Boston University and was named one the final 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the top men’s hockey player in the NCAA.
Tankathon.com provides NHL Draft Lottery odds.
* means a team is officially eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention
San Jose Sharks* (25.5%)
Chicago Blackhawks* (13.5%)
Anaheim Ducks (11.5%)
Columbus Blue Jackets (9.5%)
Arizona Coyotes (8.5%)
Ottawa Senators (7.5%)
Montreal Canadiens (6.5%)
New Jersey Devils (5.0%)
Pittsburgh Penguins (3.5%)
Seattle Kraken (3.0%)
Related: Top storylines for final month of 2023-24 NHL regular season
NHL Power Rankings: Playoff Longshots
The race for one of the wild card spots in the Eastern Conference is far from over, as is third place in the Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, things look more defined with the Western Conference wild cards.
Moneypuck.com provides NHL playoff odds.
Calgary Flames – 71 points (1.6%)
St. Louis Blues – 75 points (4.9%)
New Jersey Devils – 70 points (11.3%)
Minnesota Wild – 76 points (12.6%)
New York Islanders – 73 points (19.9%)
Washington Capitals – 75 points (41.9%)
NHL Power Rankings: Top 16
Out of the 16 teams at the top of the NHL standings, not one has punched its ticket to the postseason yet. This means all four division titles and the Presidents’ Trophy are still up for grabs. This week’s ranking looks completely different from the previous one, and fans should expect to see a complete overhaul next week as the shuffle among the elite teams continues.
The statistics for the last ten games were obtained from NHL.com.
Detroit Red Wings (2-8-0)
The Detroit Red Wings spent most of the season in a playoff spot but, in the past two weeks, have been hanging by a thread after a dismal 2-8-0 streak, that included a six-game losing skid. A comeback win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday vaulted the Red Wings back into the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.
Vegas Golden Knights (4-6-0)
After 68 games, the Vegas Golden Knights are clinging to the final wild card spot in the Western Conference with 79 points, three better than the Minnesota Wild. They could become the first defending Stanley Cup champion to not qualify for the playoffs since the Los Angeles Kings in 2015.
Philadelphia Flyers (5-4-1)
Whether coach John Tortorella gets suspended or captain Sean Couturier is a healthy scratch, the Philadelphia Flyers continue to collect wins and points despite the off-ice distractions. Their upcoming schedule will be challenging, a critical point in the season with the Washington Capitals creeping up in the standings, just three points behind the Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Toronto Maple Leafs (6-3-1)
As one of Canada’s top contending teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs are just 6-4-1 since a season-high seven-game win streak. One of the most concerning issues about Toronto isn’t its ability to maintain its current position in the Atlantic Division but whether it can get healthy in time for the playoffs, especially now with Mitchell Marner’s health concerns.
New York Rangers (6-3-1)
The New York Rangers remain the top team in the Metropolitan Division, but their lead has dwindled to two points despite a 15-4-1 record since the beginning of February. But the Carolina Hurricanes are nipping at their heels and the Rangers are down two key defensemen — Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren — because of injury.
Los Angeles Kings (6-3-1)
The Los Angeles Kings are chasing the Edmonton Oilers for the second seed in the Pacific Division but still trail by three points in a potential first-round rematch from 2023. Despite not altering their lineup before the trade deadline, they are 4-3-0 since March 9.
Vancouver Canucks (6-2-2)
The Vancouver Canucks have been the top team in the Western Conference for months but now find themselves in a fight to maintain that spot, with the three Central Division leaders just a point behind. Although the Canucks don’t run the risk of losing first place in the Pacific Division, having home ice throughout the playoffs would be beneficial.
Dallas Stars (7-3-0)
The Dallas Stars are 6-3-1 in their past 10 games and remain tied in points (93) with the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche for first in the Central Division. However, those two teams have games in hand and better points percentages than Dallas, which is technically third in the division as a result.
Florida Panthers (7-3-0)
The Florida Panthers have lost their past two games, but are still 27-7-2 since December 23, which means these losses are just minor bumps on the road for the legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Panthers forward Sam Reinhart is on the verge of becoming the second skater in franchise history to score 50 goals.
Winnipeg Jets (7-3-0)
The Winnipeg Jets have 14 games left and the opportunity to tie the franchise records for wins (52) and points (114) by winning at least eight of those games. One of the big reasons behind their recent success has been the addition of forward Tyler Toffoli, who has four goals and six points in five games since the deadline.
Tampa Bay Lightning (7-2-1)
After defeating the Golden Knights on Tuesday, the veteran-savvy Tampa Bay Lightning are hitting their stride. They have won their past four games and scored at least five goals in each. Tampa Bay is headed to California for three games, including two against non-playoff contenders, the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks.
Boston Bruins (7-2-1)
The Boston Bruins are on a three-game win streak, and David Pastrnak continues his quest for 50 goals and 100 points. Although they did not go all-in ahead of the trade deadline, the Bruins are getting better at defeating opponents in regulation after a lengthy stretch in which they played in six straight overtime games.
Edmonton Oilers (7-1-2)
Outside of a blowout win over the Capitals, the Oilers are squeezing by, including a recent 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. Moreover, three of their past seven wins have required extra time, which is not optimal but still points to their high-end skill to win those 3-on-3 skills competitions.
Carolina Hurricanes (8-2-0)
The Carolina Hurricanes are two points from catching the Rangers in the Metropolitan Division. New additions Jake Guentzel (eight points) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (five points) are making significant contributions. Also, Frederik Andersen is back and undefeated in four games with a .949 save percentage.
Nashville Predators (8-0-2)
On Tuesday, the Nashville Predators extended their undefeated streak to a season-high 14 games. Collectively, they are finally scoring, with 57 goals during the streak. They’re also getting outstanding goaltending from Juuse Saros, who has a 1.90 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in the streak.
Colorado Avalanche (9-1-0)
The Colorado Avalanche have won seven straight games, and Hart Trophy front-runner Nathan MacKinnon is on a 15-game point streak, collecting 31 points. Despite his efforts, he trails Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning for the Art Ross Trophy. Meanwhile, the Central Division remains the tightest race in the NHL.