- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,147,497
- Reaction score
- 59
There are less than a handful of games remaining in the regular season. The playoff picture is coming down to the wire, and many teams are fighting for their respective conference’s wild cards. The New York Islanders, in the hunt for a playoff berth, relieved head coach Patrick Roy with four games remaining. This bold move was made for a final playoff push and to get a head start for the team’s future. Here are the Stanley Cup power rankings heading into the week of April 6th.
MORE: Ranking the 15 teams with the best chance to win the NBA Finals
Entering the week, the Devils are chasing an Eastern Conference wild card with five games remaining. The team’s remaining games are against opponents with playoff aspirations. New Jersey’s lack of goal scoring has been an issue throughout the season.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Unless they collapse during the final week of the regular season, the Golden Knights are heading to the postseason. They’ve battled their Pacific Division foes throughout the campaign, encountering ups and downs. The team’s roster has the talent to compete in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Mammoth currently hold a Western Conference wild card. One of the league’s most underrated teams, Utah will make noise in the playoffs. The team’s offense and defense have ranked top five in efficiency.
Anaheim’s young team has fought tooth and nail for the Pacific Division crown. The team’s offense has led the way to their success. The Ducks’ downfall is their defense and goaltending.
The Capitals have four games remaining and are currently on the outside looking in. They join the Islanders, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets in the fight for an Eastern Conference wild card. Washington needs a week of perfection to ensure they reach the playoffs.
Edmonton has battled and currently sits atop the Pacific Division. However, when the playoffs start, they will be without key forward Leon Draisaitl. The team must reach deep to repeat as Western Conference champions.
Apr 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) reacts after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
A rough stretch bumped Detroit out of a playoff spot. The team finds themselves chasing an Eastern Conference wild card with five games remaining. The Red Wings’ offense has regressed since the first half of the season.
Columbus has battled throughout the regular season. At the midway point, the team looked dead in the water. However, their road to the playoffs comes down to the final five games of the season, all of which are against teams fighting for the playoffs.
The Islanders have four games remaining and are one point behind an Eastern Conference wild card. The team made a tough move, firing head coach Patrick Roy. The front office is hoping the move gives the team the motivation to reach the playoffs in the final week of the regular season.
The Flyers hold a playoff spot thanks to the team’s defense and goaltending. Philadelphia’s offense has been one of the league’s worst in efficiency. The path to the Stanley Cup Finals will be tough if the offense cannot find ways to manufacture goals.
Ottawa continues to win games. The team has done their best to hold an Eastern Conference wild card. The team has five games to ensure they clinch a playoff berth.
Jan 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Bruins have four games remaining, and the first two are against the Hurricanes and Lightning. The team must find a way to win at least one game. If they drop both games, they will be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.
The Penguins are gearing up for the playoffs. Captain Sidney Crosby returned to action on March 18th and immediately gave the lineup a boost. Pittsburgh’s objective is to enter the playoffs as healthy as possible.
The Canadiens are heading to the playoffs. The team is eager to feature its offense on the national stage. This season, Montreal’s offense has ranked 5th in efficiency.
This season, Minnesota has played second fiddle to Colorado and Dallas. The Wild has featured one of the league’s best offenses and defenses. They will be a dark horse to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Buffalo hasn’t slowed down since the calendar changed to the New Year. They continue to win and have become one of the best stories of the season. The Sabres offense has shown the ability to go toe to toe with the league’s best.
Jan 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Dallas has played well throughout the season. They’ve performed well on both sides of the ice. This season, the offense has ranked in the top 10 in efficiency, and the defense has ranked 2nd.
Tampa Bay went on a tear in mid-December and didn’t look back. They currently lead the Atlantic Division. The team’s offense and defense rank in the top four in efficiency.
The Hurricanes have been the Eastern Conference’s best team this season. They’ve played consistent hockey since their first game of the season on October 9th. When the playoffs start, Carolina will be a favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Colorado has six games left, and it seems unlikely another team will end the season with more points in the standings. The Avalanche have been the NHL’s best team throughout the season. They rank first in offensive and defensive efficiency.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
MORE: Ranking the 15 teams with the best chance to win the NBA Finals
20. New Jersey Devils
Entering the week, the Devils are chasing an Eastern Conference wild card with five games remaining. The team’s remaining games are against opponents with playoff aspirations. New Jersey’s lack of goal scoring has been an issue throughout the season.
19. Vegas Golden Knights
You must be registered for see images attach
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Unless they collapse during the final week of the regular season, the Golden Knights are heading to the postseason. They’ve battled their Pacific Division foes throughout the campaign, encountering ups and downs. The team’s roster has the talent to compete in the Western Conference playoffs.
18. Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth currently hold a Western Conference wild card. One of the league’s most underrated teams, Utah will make noise in the playoffs. The team’s offense and defense have ranked top five in efficiency.
17. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim’s young team has fought tooth and nail for the Pacific Division crown. The team’s offense has led the way to their success. The Ducks’ downfall is their defense and goaltending.
16. Washington Capitals
The Capitals have four games remaining and are currently on the outside looking in. They join the Islanders, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets in the fight for an Eastern Conference wild card. Washington needs a week of perfection to ensure they reach the playoffs.
15. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton has battled and currently sits atop the Pacific Division. However, when the playoffs start, they will be without key forward Leon Draisaitl. The team must reach deep to repeat as Western Conference champions.
14. Detroit Red Wings
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) reacts after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
A rough stretch bumped Detroit out of a playoff spot. The team finds themselves chasing an Eastern Conference wild card with five games remaining. The Red Wings’ offense has regressed since the first half of the season.
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus has battled throughout the regular season. At the midway point, the team looked dead in the water. However, their road to the playoffs comes down to the final five games of the season, all of which are against teams fighting for the playoffs.
12. New York Islanders
The Islanders have four games remaining and are one point behind an Eastern Conference wild card. The team made a tough move, firing head coach Patrick Roy. The front office is hoping the move gives the team the motivation to reach the playoffs in the final week of the regular season.
11. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers hold a playoff spot thanks to the team’s defense and goaltending. Philadelphia’s offense has been one of the league’s worst in efficiency. The path to the Stanley Cup Finals will be tough if the offense cannot find ways to manufacture goals.
10. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa continues to win games. The team has done their best to hold an Eastern Conference wild card. The team has five games to ensure they clinch a playoff berth.
9. Boston Bruins
You must be registered for see images attach
Jan 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Bruins have four games remaining, and the first two are against the Hurricanes and Lightning. The team must find a way to win at least one game. If they drop both games, they will be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are gearing up for the playoffs. Captain Sidney Crosby returned to action on March 18th and immediately gave the lineup a boost. Pittsburgh’s objective is to enter the playoffs as healthy as possible.
7. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are heading to the playoffs. The team is eager to feature its offense on the national stage. This season, Montreal’s offense has ranked 5th in efficiency.
6. Minnesota Wild
This season, Minnesota has played second fiddle to Colorado and Dallas. The Wild has featured one of the league’s best offenses and defenses. They will be a dark horse to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
5. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo hasn’t slowed down since the calendar changed to the New Year. They continue to win and have become one of the best stories of the season. The Sabres offense has shown the ability to go toe to toe with the league’s best.
4. Dallas Stars
You must be registered for see images attach
Jan 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Dallas has played well throughout the season. They’ve performed well on both sides of the ice. This season, the offense has ranked in the top 10 in efficiency, and the defense has ranked 2nd.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay went on a tear in mid-December and didn’t look back. They currently lead the Atlantic Division. The team’s offense and defense rank in the top four in efficiency.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been the Eastern Conference’s best team this season. They’ve played consistent hockey since their first game of the season on October 9th. When the playoffs start, Carolina will be a favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado has six games left, and it seems unlikely another team will end the season with more points in the standings. The Avalanche have been the NHL’s best team throughout the season. They rank first in offensive and defensive efficiency.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
