Season Final Stretch Overview
With just under three weeks remaining before the regular season closes on April 17, every NHL club now faces critical games that will shape their playoff destiny. A recent moment on the ice showed a celebrated forward pausing to greet an opposing goaltender after their matchup—a gesture that symbolized the mutual respect and determination seen across the league. As teams prepare for this final sprint, fans and players alike understand that each contest carries immense weight. Standings, recorded as points percentages and measured by opponents’ difficulty levels, offer a snapshot of each team’s season-long journey. Some clubs stand near the top with record-breaking ambitions, while others battle to avoid falling out of contention. The remaining schedule presents a diverse array of matchups, with teams hosting and traveling against rivals in a test of skill, resolve, and strategy. Below is an overview of every franchise, outlining their current standing, statistical markers, and the next week’s game dates. These brief profiles capture the essence of the tight race as teams strive to secure their spots for post‐season play or, for some, to contort the season into a hopeful finish.
Washington Capitals (Rank 1)
The Capitals post a 71.5% points rate and face a schedule rated at 46.2 (29th in difficulty). Their star forward continues his historic goal pursuit, and upcoming games include a home match against Buffalo on March 30, an away game in Boston on April 1, and a contest at Carolina on April 2.
Winnipeg Jets (Rank 2)
With a 70.8% points percentage and a schedule difficulty of 50.6 (14th overall), the Jets remain near the top of the Western standings. They open with a home game versus New Jersey on March 28, then play in Vancouver on March 30 before traveling to Los Angeles on April 1 and facing Vegas on April 3.
Dallas Stars (Rank 4)
Boasting a 68.1% points rate and a schedule rated 47.9 (25th overall), the Stars may challenge for the Central lead. They head on the road to Seattle on March 29 and again on March 31, then return home to take on Nashville on April 3, seeking momentum as the season concludes.
Vegas Golden Knights (Rank 5)
At 66.2% in points with a schedule difficulty of 48.1 (23rd overall), the Golden Knights continue at the forefront of their division. They will travel to Chicago on March 28 and Nashville on March 29, then host games against Edmonton on April 1 and face Winnipeg on April 3.
Carolina Hurricanes (Rank 3)
The Hurricanes record a 63.4% points percentage with a schedule rated 48.6 (21st overall). Their immediate slate includes home games against Montreal on March 28 and the New York Islanders on March 30, followed by a contest at Washington on April 2. Each match is crucial for a postseason berth.
Colorado Avalanche (Rank 7)
Posting a 63.7% points rate with a schedule difficulty of 50.2 (16th overall), the Avalanche have a vital Central division role. They host St. Louis on March 29, meet Calgary on March 31, then travel to Chicago on April 2 and face Columbus on April 3 to solidify their position.
Los Angeles Kings (Rank 11)
The Kings sit at 62.7% points, facing a schedule with a 51.7 rating (10th overall). Their next games include a home contest versus Toronto on March 29, a match against San Jose on March 30, a home game against Winnipeg on April 1, and an away game in Utah on April 3.
Florida Panthers (Rank 6)
The Panthers have earned a 62.7% points average with a schedule rated 50.2 (17th overall). Their final stretch features a home game versus Utah on March 28, a match against Montreal on March 30, an away game in Montreal on April 1, and concludes with an away contest in Toronto on April 2.
Toronto Maple Leafs (Rank 8)
At 62.5% points with a schedule difficulty of 49.9 (19th overall), the Maple Leafs face intriguing playoff implications. Their upcoming games are two on the road—in Los Angeles on March 29 and in Anaheim on March 30—finishing with a home game versus Florida on April 2, which could impact their seeding.
Edmonton Oilers (Rank 9)
The Oilers hold a 60.4% points rate while battling a schedule with a 49.9 rating (20th overall). Their division title hopes are dimming as other clubs benefit from easier schedules. They host Calgary on March 29, then play away games in Vegas on April 1 and in San Jose on April 3, aiming to spark a comeback.
Tampa Bay Lightning (Rank 10)
With 61.8% of available points and a schedule rated at 48.4 (22nd overall), the Lightning are among the Atlantic's top three. Their remaining lineup features a home game against the New York Islanders on March 29, followed by an away game in New York on April 1 and a road contest versus Ottawa on April 3.
St. Louis Blues (Rank 15)
The Blues record a 57.4% points percentage and face a schedule with a 52.8 rating (5th in difficulty). Guided by goaltender Jordan Binnington, they look to reenter playoff discussion. Their next games include an away match in Colorado on March 29, a home game versus Detroit on April 1, and a matchup against Pittsburgh on April 3.
Minnesota Wild (Rank 12)
Accumulating 59.6% of their points, the Wild benefit from an easier schedule rated 47.4 (26th overall). They are set to host New Jersey on March 29, then travel to New Jersey on March 31 before closing with an away game at the New York Rangers on April 2. Consistent play remains key.
New Jersey Devils (Rank 13)
At 56.9% in points with the simplest remaining schedule rated 44.8 (32nd overall), the Devils search for stability amid injury setbacks. They will hit the road to face Winnipeg on March 28 and Minnesota on March 29, then return home to host Minnesota on March 31 in a bid to secure playoff viability.
Ottawa Senators (Rank 14)
The Senators have achieved a 57.0% points average while meeting a schedule rated 47.3 (27th overall). Taking a measured approach, they now face a home game against Columbus on March 29, an away contest in Pittsburgh on March 30, a return to Buffalo on April 1, and finish with a home game versus Tampa Bay on April 3.
Calgary Flames (Rank 18)
The Flames stand at 55.6% points with a schedule difficulty of 51.7 (9th overall). Their playoff push depends on wins in four upcoming games: an away trip to Edmonton on March 29, a contest in Colorado on March 31, a road game in Utah on April 1, and a home match against Anaheim on April 3.
Arizona Coyotes (Rank 16)
With a modest 55.6% points rate and a tougher schedule rated 52.6 (6th overall), the Coyotes must overcome significant challenges. Their remaining schedule features away games in Columbus on March 28 and in Winnipeg on March 30, finishing with a home contest against Seattle on April 2 to bolster their playoff bid.
Montreal Canadiens (Rank 17)
The Canadiens, fondly known as the Habs, post a 52.8% points percentage with a schedule rated 50.3 (15th overall). Their upcoming slate includes an away game in Carolina on March 28, a road contest in Florida on March 30, a home match versus Florida on April 1, and an away game in Boston on April 3.
UHC Contenders (Rank 19)
Recording a 52.1% points rate and facing a schedule with a 52.3 rating (8th overall), the group known as the UHC Contenders fights to remain in the playoff race. They will play on the road in Florida on March 28 and in Chicago on March 30, then host Calgary on April 1 before meeting Los Angeles on April 3.
New York Islanders (Rank 21)
With 52.1% of points and a demanding schedule rated 54.1 (the highest difficulty), the Islanders see a wild-card spot remain within reach. Their final games include an away match against Tampa Bay on March 29, a contest in Carolina on March 30, and a home game versus Tampa Bay on April 1.
Team Blue (Rank 20)
Sitting at a 51.4% points percentage with a schedule rated 51.6 (13th overall), Team Blue has struggled with uninspired play, dimming their chance at a playoff return. Their remaining slate offers away games in Anaheim on March 28 and in San Jose on March 29, followed by a must‐win home game against Minnesota on April 2.
Columbus Blue Jackets (Rank 22)
The Blue Jackets maintain a 52.1% points rate while facing a schedule rated at 51.6 (12th overall). After briefly holding a wild-card position, they must now climb back. Their next games include a home contest against Vancouver on March 28, an away game in Ottawa on March 29, a home matchup with Nashville on April 1, and a game versus Colorado on April 3.
Detroit Red Wings (Rank 23)
The Red Wings have earned a 50.0% points average while operating under a heavy schedule rated 53.5 (4th overall). For longtime fans, it appears postseason hope may be deferred until next year. Their final set includes a home game versus Boston on March 29 and an away contest in St. Louis on April 1.
Pittsburgh Penguins (Rank 26)
With a 46.6% points percentage and a schedule deemed easy at 46.1 (30th overall), the Penguins have lagged behind earlier efforts. They now face a home game against Ottawa on March 30 and a road contest in St. Louis on April 3, making every point essential to rejoin playoff discussions.
Boston Bruins (Rank 24)
The Bruins sport a 47.3% points total and face a modest schedule rated 46.5 (28th overall). Their on-ice play since the trade deadline has set them up as strong playoff candidates. They head out to Detroit on March 29, then host Washington on April 1 before traveling to Montreal on April 3.
Anaheim Ducks (Rank 25)
Driven by a youthful core, the Ducks hold a 49.3% points percentage with a midrange schedule rated 50.0 (18th overall). Their upcoming matchups include home games against the New York Rangers on March 28, Toronto on March 30, and San Jose on April 1, followed by an away game at Calgary on April 3.
Seattle Kraken (Rank 27)
In their first season with Dan Bylsma at the helm, the Kraken record a 46.6% points rate and face a demanding schedule rated 53.5 (third toughest overall). Their remaining slate has two home games against Dallas on March 29 and March 31, plus an away contest in Vancouver on April 2—each a chance to change their trajectory.
Nashville Predators (Rank 30)
The Predators have managed only a 43.1% points average with one of the toughest schedules at 54.1 (second highest in difficulty). Their final week features a home game against Vegas on March 29, an away match in Philadelphia on March 31, a road game in Columbus on April 1, and concludes with a contest in Dallas on April 3.
Philadelphia Flyers (Rank 28)
Under interim coach Brad Shaw, the Flyers register a 45.3% points rate with a schedule rated 46.0 (31st overall). They look to build momentum in two home games—against Buffalo on March 29 and Nashville on March 31—to carve out a beneficial position for future decisions.
Buffalo Sabres (Rank 29)
The Sabres made few moves during the offseason and sustained only lateral changes at the trade deadline. With a 46.5% points percentage and an easier schedule rated 52.5 (seventh easiest), they now face away games in Philadelphia on March 29, Washington on March 30, and Ottawa on April 1 as they seek to break their playoff drought.
Chicago Blackhawks (Rank 31)
Struggling at a low 35.4% points total and facing a schedule rated 51.7 (11th overall), the Blackhawks are locked in a tight race for the league’s bottom record. Their next games include a home contest versus Vegas on March 28, a game against Utah on March 30, and a final home match against Colorado on April 2.
San Jose Sharks (Rank 32)
Finishing with a meager 34.5% of points and a schedule rated 48.0 (24th overall), the Sharks benefit from relatively favorable matchups among the teams near the bottom. Their remaining slate features a home game against the New York Rangers on March 29, road contests in Los Angeles on March 30 and Anaheim on April 1, and a concluding home game versus Edmonton on April 3.
Final Thoughts
As the regular season draws to a close, every contest now takes on extra significance. From leaders chasing historic milestones to underdogs fighting to avoid the draft lottery, each team’s final week holds the promise of drama and shifting fortunes. Ultimately, the results in these final games will set the stage for postseason battles and influence offseason decisions, reminding us that in hockey every minute counts.
