NHL playoff tracker: Can Dallas Stars finally get over the hump in 2026?

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Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24), defenseman Esa Lindell (23) and center Sam Steel (18) take the ice before an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer)


The Dallas Stars are well on their way to their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. They've made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals in the last three. Can they finally punch through in 2026?

The postseason is creeping closer and the Stars are currently in the mix for a top spot. The Dallas Morning News will be there for every Stars playoff game, and we're keeping track of their spot in the standings up until the puck drops on the 2026 NHL playoffs.

Check out live updates on the Stars' spot in the Western Conference, the Central Division and their potential first-round matchup below.

How the NHL playoffs work​

The top three teams in each of the four divisions will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs.

The remaining four spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, based on regular-season record and regardless of division.

In the first round, the division winner with the best record in each conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the lesser record. The wild card team with the better record will play the other division winner.

The teams finishing second and third in each division will meet in the first round to round out the playoff field.

Stars' current standings​

Overall NHL standings​

Team	Games played	Wins	Losses	Overtime losses	Points
Colorado Avalanche	66	44	13	9	97
Dallas Stars	67	42	15	10	94
Carolina Hurricanes	67	42	19	6	90
Buffalo Sabres	68	42	20	6	90
Minnesota Wild	69	39	18	12	90

Western Conference standings​

Team	Games played	Wins	Losses	Overtime losses	Points
Colorado Avalanche	66	44	13	9	97
Dallas Stars	67	42	15	10	94
Minnesota Wild	69	39	18	12	90
Anaheim Ducks	67	37	27	3	77
Edmonton Oilers	69	34	26	9	77

Central Division standings​

Standings as of March 17.

First-round playoff matchup​

If the playoffs started today, the Stars would be taking on the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Dallas would have home-ice advantage.

Latest stories​

- Stars' uncanny impression of 1999 Stanley Cup team finally gives out vs. Utah Mammoth

- Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger honored as NHL's Second Star of the Week

- Stars have to work for it, but outlast Red Wings to tie franchise-record points streak

- Jim Nill: Re-signing Jason Robertson is a 'priority' for Dallas Stars this summer

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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