NHL Playoff Picture: A Pacific Division Scramble and the Race for the Cup
The 2026 NHL playoff race is shaping up to be a nail-biter, particularly in the Pacific Division. As of March 17, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks currently hold the top spot, but the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are breathing down their necks. The San Jose Sharks, surprisingly, remain in the hunt, making for a tightly contested battle for playoff positioning.
The Pacific Division Tightrope
Just one point separates the Ducks (77 points) and the Golden Knights (76 points), with the Oilers (75 points) close behind. This intense competition means every game carries significant weight, especially head-to-head matchups. The Sharks (70 points) are similarly within striking distance, demonstrating the volatility of the division.
Stathletes projections suggest the Golden Knights and Ducks are likely to finish with 96 points, followed by the Oilers at 91.6 and the Sharks at 87.9. However, these are just projections, and the remaining schedule will be crucial.
Key Matchups and Remaining Schedules
The Oilers face a critical stretch, including upcoming games against the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks, meanwhile, have two more games against both the Oilers and the Ducks, offering opportunities to swing the standings. Their remaining schedule is relatively favorable, with only one game against a current playoff team – the Buffalo Sabres.
Edmonton holds a 2-0 record against the Golden Knights with two games remaining, a 1-1 record against the Ducks with one game left, and a 1-0 record against the Utah Mammoth with two games to play. These head-to-head results could prove decisive.
Projected Playoff Brackets
Based on current standings, the projected Western Conference playoff matchups are:
- Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken
- Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
- Anaheim Ducks vs. Utah Mammoth
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers
Beyond the Pacific: Eastern Conference Outlook
In the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres are projected to face the Detroit Red Wings, even as the Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Montreal Canadiens. The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to match up against the Boston Bruins, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Islanders.
The Wild Card Factor
The second wild card spot is particularly competitive. The Seattle Kraken currently hold the position, but the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks are close behind. The Sharks, despite not having qualified for the playoffs since 2018-19, have a realistic chance of securing a postseason berth.
The Road to the Stanley Cup
Stathletes gives the Colorado Avalanche the best chance of reaching the conference finals (37.3%), the Cup Final (18.6%), and winning the Cup (9.2%) in the Western Conference. The Oilers are second in these categories, with 37.3%, 18.6%, and 9.2% respectively.
FAQ
Q: What is a “tragic number”?
A: A tragic number is the number of points a team needs to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Q: How does the NHL draft lottery perform?
A: The NHL uses a weighted lottery system to determine the order of the first round of the draft. Teams with worse records have a higher chance of winning the lottery.
Q: Which team has the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup?
A: According to Stathletes, the Colorado Avalanche currently have the best odds.
Q: What is the significance of head-to-head matchups?
A: Head-to-head results are used as a tiebreaker in the standings, making these games particularly important.
Did you know? The Utah Mammoth are in their first season and are already contending for a playoff spot!
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Sharks’ remaining schedule. Their relatively easy slate of games could propel them into a playoff position.
Stay tuned for daily updates on the NHL playoff watch as we track the final stretch of the regular season and the race for the Stanley Cup. Check out the full standings and bracket projections on ESPN.
