NHL Standings 2025: Brilliant Struggling Teams Face Elimination as Playoff Pressure Mounts

The 2025 NHL season is underway, and the league’s rankings are getting further and further close with every game that goes in. North American suckers are keeping a close eye on their favorite clubs as they move up the rankings or fight to qualify for the playoffs in the NHL Standings.

The season has handed suspension, excitement, and the kind of instigation shifts that keep hockey suckers concentrated to the sport, from thrilling overtime matches to surprising shutouts. As the postseason approaches, we’ll examine the NHL team rankings, evaluate the Eastern and Western Conference standings, and consider what the playoff picture looks like.

How the NHL Standings Operate

Teams use a points system to determine the NHL standings, earning:

• In a shootout, overtime, or regulation, two points are awarded for victory.
• One point for a mislaying in overtime or a shootout
• A regulation loss is worth zero points.

A team’s standing in its conference is determined by these points. Both the Eastern and Western conferences, each with two divisions, make up the league.16 brigades advance to the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season:

• The top three brigades in each division( each conference has six total)
• Each conference’s two wild card brigades with the coming-stylish records

Every game is important because of this format, particularly in close contests for division leads or wild card places.

Standings for the Eastern Conference A Close Battle Overall

Let’s look at the Eastern Conference standings, where there’s a veritably narrow difference between securing a spot in the playoffs and being excluded. is a very narrow difference between securing a spot in the playoffs and being eliminated.

Division Atlantic

The Boston Bruins, who combine reliable goal tending with steady scoring, are once again in the lead in the Atlantic Division. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers are vying for home-ice advantage and are right behind them.

Strong performances from their youthful core have helped the Detroit Red Wings recover from a difficult start and return to wild card contention.

Division of the Metropolitan Area

With one of the league’s greatest goal differentials, the Carolina Hurricanes are dominating the Metro. The Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals are vying for attention, while the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins continue to be playoff constants.

The last week of the NHL calendar may be the decisive factor in the race for the East’s final wild card.

Western Conference Standings: Pacific Drama and Central Dominance
The competition is also fierce in the West, where a number of Stanley Cup hopefuls are separating themselves from the field More Content.

Division Central

With a strong record and a comfortable lead in the Central, the Colorado Avalanche are back to their best. With their outstanding goaltending and depth scoring, the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets are both in a solid position to make the playoffs.

Division Pacific

The Pacific is open. The Edmonton Oilers are gaining steam after a sluggish start, while the Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights have been trading for the top place for the majority of the season. The Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames are also very much in the running for the wild card, so don’t discount them.

The Western Conference rankings could change significantly in the last few games because the NHL calendar still includes a lot of inter-division matchu ps.

The NHL Standings Are Being Shaped by Current Scores

Both conferences have been significantly impacted by recent NHL results. After defeating the Lightning in overtime, the Leafs moved to second place in the Atlantic. The Oilers, meanwhile, are back in the running for the playoffs after a four-game winning streak.

A team’s chances of making the playoffs can be determined by a single match in February or March, particularly when it pits them against direct playoff opponents.

Who’s on the bubble and who’s in the NHL playoff picture?

The NHL playoff picture is beginning to take shape with roughly one-third of the season left.

It appears highly likely that division leaders like Boston, Carolina, Colorado, and Vegas will advance to the postseason.

Particularly in the East, where teams like the Islanders, Red Wings, and Flyers are tied, wild card games are intense.

To get into the playoff slots, teams “on the bubble,” such as the Flames, Capitals, and Senators, need to have great finishes.

Expect more high-stakes matches as the season comes to a close, where clubs will do all in their power to secure those crucial two points.

Who among the Stanley Cup contenders seems most likely to win?

Even though anything may happen during the NHL playoffs, some clubs appear to be serious challengers for the Stanley Cup:

• Boston Bruins: A premier goalie pair, depth, and experience.
• Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon are the leaders of the Colorado Avalanche’s explosive offence.
• The defending champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, have playoff-tested systems.
• The Carolina Hurricanes have a well-rounded roster and a potent defence.

Every postseason, however, there are surprise teams. Recall last year’s Kraken run? Dark horses that peak at the right moment should not be trusted.

FAQ: NHL Standings and Playoffs

Things to Keep an Eye on in the Upcoming Schedule

Here are some important things to watch as the regular season approaches its latter weeks:

• Head-to-head games: Matchups involving direct playoff rivals have the potential to quickly change the standings.
• Injuries: The health of a star player frequently determines their performance and eligibility for the playoffs.
• Goal tending: Talented goalies steal series and win games.

Keep an eye on the standings, the remaining NHL schedule, the strength of your opponents, and the team’s health if you’re trying to gauge your team’s chances.

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