In or out: Assessing which NHL teams will secure the final playoff spots

The NHL playoff race is coming down to the wire, with several teams in both the East and West battling for the last remaining spots.

So far, only two teams, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, have clinched. With several tight races still remaining, who will secure a postseason berth? Let's take a look at which teams are in and which teams are out.

Western Conference

Utah Mammoth: In

The Mammoth are holding onto the first wild-card spot, four points ahead of the second wild card (Los Angeles) and five points ahead of the first team out (San Jose). 

They also have the 29th-easiest remaining schedule, which includes games against bottom feeders Vancouver and Calgary. Barring a horrible run, they should be in.

Los Angeles Kings: Out

The Kings are sitting in the second wild-card spot, just a point ahead of their divisional foe San Jose. Like Utah, their schedule is also favorable: They have the easiest remaining slate in the NHL.

However, the Kings' starting goaltender, Darcy Kuemper, has struggled this past month, posting just an .891 save percentage since March 1. Unless Kuemper can get those numbers up, Los Angeles may be in trouble.

San Jose Sharks: In

Perhaps the most surprising team this year, the Sharks are just one point out of the playoff race with one game in hand on the Kings. With Hart Trophy contender Macklin Celebrini leading the way, the young team could qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

San Jose has the 31st-easiest remaining schedule and also owns the tiebreaker over Los Angeles with 23 regulation wins to the Kings' 19. If Celebrini can drag this Sharks team into the postseason, he should see some votes for most valuable player.

Eastern Conference

Columbus Blue Jackets: In

The Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason on Jan. 12, and after hiring NHL vet Rick Bowness to man the helm, they've had the third-best win percentage in the league (.717).

Holding the second wild-card spot, the Blue Jackets are also just one point behind the Islanders for the third spot in the Metro division. If they can continue their hot streak, they should secure a playoff berth.

Ottawa Senators: Out

Ottawa started the season with just the 18th-best record in the league (.553), but since the return from the Olympic break, they have the sixth-best point percentage (.676).

Despite this, it may be a little too late. With at least four other teams vying for the second wild-card spot, there's little room for error. Add in starting goaltender Linus Ullmark's struggles (.888 save percentage in March), and the Senators may be out of luck.

Detroit Red Wings: Out

The Detroit Red Wings once again have struggled in March; after posting a 3-9-2 record in 2024 and 4-10-0 record in 2025, this year, since March 1, they have just a 5-7-2 record, good for 28th in the league.

Despite having a five-point cushion on the playoff race on March 1, they now sit one point out. With their previous March problems still in their mind, Red Wings players are all too familiar with this type of play to close out the season. Unfortunately for them, a 10th straight year with no playoffs is the most likely outcome.