The NHL regular season is down to the last 15 games. Teams are either solidifying their playoff positioning or making a final push for one of two Wild Card spots in the two conferences. The playoff picture continues to see teams leapfrog one another on a weekly basis, and the Wild Card picture has been the most interesting to watch. Here are the Stanley Cup Power Rankings heading into the week of March 16th.
20. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks looked dead in the water, but strong play has made them contenders for a Western Conference Wild Card. San Jose’s chances are improving with Seattle and Los Angeles struggling. Reaching the playoffs would give young superstar Macklin Celebrini a chance to showcase his abilities on the league’s biggest stage.
19. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton is making the playoffs, but has a tough road to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. The Western Conference is loaded with Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, and Vegas. If the Oilers do not make a deep playoff run, defense and goaltending will be the reason for the letdown.
18. Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia’s playoff hopes are quickly fading. The separations in the standings may be too much for the Flyers to reach the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. The team’s offensive woes will be the reason they fall short of the playoffs.
17. Washington Capitals
The Capitals’ chances for the playoffs are almost zero. The team has been better, but hasn’t fully received the offensive production of previous seasons. Washington would have to go on a historic run to reach the playoffs.
16. Utah Mammoth
Utah has a firm grasp on the playoffs. The team’s playoff entry may come as a Wild Card team, but they are as talented as many of their Western Conference foes. The Mammoth will be a dark horse to reach the conference finals.
15. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks will be an interesting team in the playoffs. If they struggle, defense and goaltending will be the culprit. However, Anaheim’s offense has shown the ability to compete with the league’s best.
14. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa has been one of the league’s hottest teams in the second half of the season. They looked like they were out of the playoffs early, but are making a final push in the Eastern Conference. The odds are against them, but the Senators are playing well.
13. Vegas Golden Knights
Now isn’t the time to struggle for the Golden Knights. The team has a thin lead in the Pacific Division and cannot afford many losses in their final 15 games. It will be a monumental collapse if the team misses the playoffs with the regular season nearing the finish line.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have turned it around in the second half of the season and are nipping at the heels of the Penguins and Islanders. If the Bruins and Red Wings’ struggles prolong, the Blue Jackets can find themselves in an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Reaching the playoffs would be huge after the team’s slow start to the season.
11. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit is struggling and amid a complete nosedive. After sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division for much of the season, the Red Wings have dropped to fifth in the division and have a slim lead on the last Wild Card spot. The team must right the ship quickly, as Columbus is eager to overtake them for the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot.
10. Boston Bruins
Inconsistent play has led to struggles. The Bruins aren’t keeping up with opponents and are struggling to score goals. The team has work to do as the Eastern Conference Wild Card spots are shaping up to be a race between Boston, Detroit, Columbus, and Ottawa.
9. New York Islanders
The team is winning and is being carried by defense and goaltending. New York has received an offensive boost throughout the season from rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. The rookie is second on the team with 20 goals and 48 points.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh is treading water while captain Sidney Crosby works his way back from an MCL sprain. It’s been almost a month since Crosby suffered the injury at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, and his absence is notable in the Penguins’ recent struggles. The hope is for the Pittsburgh captain to be ready to return early into the playoffs.
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Atlantic Division race has heated up. Montreal sat atop the division for most of the season but has seen Buffalo and Tampa Bay overtake them. The division is still up for grabs with an eight-point separation between first and fifth place.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning has hit a rough stretch after being one of the league’s best teams since November. Tampa Bay’s struggles have seen Buffalo overtake them for the division lead. The team has work to do in their final 15 games.
5. Minnesota Wild
The Wild has issues to fix as the regular season ends. Their recent rough stretches have allowed Colorado and Dallas to add separation in the division standings. Minnesota’s focus is on entering the playoffs with a fully healthy roster.
4. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have battled and now lead the Atlantic Division. The team has played outstandingly over their last 10 games, and the league is on notice. Ending the season on a hot stretch will give the team momentum in the playoffs.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina hasn’t slowed down and is ready for the playoffs. The team’s offense and defense are playing well, and the Hurricanes are the best team in the Eastern Conference. Once the playoffs begin, Carolina will be the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
2. Dallas Stars
Dallas is hot and has a stretch of zero regulation losses from January 23rd to March 14th. In that timeframe, the team suffered one overtime loss on March 6th. There’s enough time for the Stars to catch the Avalanche and their three-point lead in the Central Division.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is still the top team in the NHL, but their division lead is shrinking due to the hot play of Dallas. The two teams will meet two more times (March 18th & April 4th) before the regular season is over. The Avalanche needs to pick up the pace to ensure their position as the top team in the Central Division.
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