The NHL trade deadline was March 6th, and a handful of players headed to playoff-bound teams. With less than 20 games remaining, certain teams are solidifying their playoff standings, while others are making a final push to claim a wild-card spot. Both conferences’ wild-card spots will see movement in the final week of the season. As the 2025-2026 season enters the regular season twilight, here are the Stanley Cup power rankings heading into the week of March 9th.

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20. Philadelphia Flyers

Feb 28, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) reacts with goalie Dan Vladar (80) after the game against the Boston Bruins at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Philadelphia has little time left to secure an Eastern Conference wild card. The Flyers were sellers at the deadline, and this may suggest the front office does not believe they have enough to reach the playoffs. The inability to score goals plagued the team throughout the season.

19. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are doing their best to hold onto the final Western Conference wild card spot. However, the Western Conference race has four teams inching closer to Seattle. The Kraken must continue adding points in the final weeks of the season.

18. Edmonton Oilers

As of now, Edmonton is headed for the playoffs. However, the team cannot afford to hover at .500 anymore. The Oilers added defensive help at the trade deadline and will rely on the acquisitions to solidify their playoff standing.

17. Washington Capitals

The Capitals were sellers at the trade deadline and need a lot of help to reach the playoffs. The biggest surprise was long-time defenseman John Carlson being traded to the Ducks. This move alone suggests the team is preparing to miss the playoffs.

16. Ottawa Senators

Jan 10, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Fabian Zetterlun (20) celebrates with center Shane Pinto defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) left wing David Perron (57) and right wing Claude Giroux (28) his goal scored in the first period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Ottawa is making things interesting heading into the final weeks of the season. They produced as well as any NHL team over their last 10 games. If they reach the playoffs, the team’s goaltenders will need to play their best hockey of the season.

15. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks were active at the trade deadline. The team added veteran defenseman John Carlson, and he will help stabilize the team’s blue line. Anaheim’s biggest struggle has been on defense.

14. Utah Mammoth

The Mammoth are a team to watch in the playoffs. The team’s offense is shy of ranking in the top ten, and the defense has been one of the league’s best. Utah will give opposing teams issues in the playoffs.

13. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jacks continue to play well. They’ve added valuable points over the last 10 games and show no signs of waiving the white flag. Columbus added veteran forward Conor Garland during Friday’s trade deadline.

12. Vegas Golden Knights

Oct 18, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) congratulates goaltender Adin Hill (33) after the Golden Knights defeated the Calgary Flames 6-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Now isn’t the time to struggle, and Vegas continues to drop points. The team currently sits in the playoffs, but their hold shrinks each day. The Golden Knights need to right the ship.

11. Boston Bruins

Boston is another team seeing a wild card slip away. The team is struggling and cannot afford to let their struggles continue any longer. It’s now or never for the Bruins.

10. New York Islanders

New York has struggled to produce offensively. It’s been the issue throughout the regular season. The Islanders’ defensemen and goaltenders must be at their best in the playoffs.

9. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s offense continues to be one of the NHL’s best. They are the top three in goals scored per game. The one glaring issue is defense.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 21, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck in a shootout against the Montréal Canadien at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh is a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs. The Penguins’ veteran squad has their eyes set on the Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh needs a healthy return from Sidney Crosby.

7. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit added offense at the trade deadline. It was the team’s biggest need, and they were active on Friday. Still, the Red Wings’ defense will be heavily relied upon in the playoffs.

6. Buffalo Sabres

They are hot and pushing for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. It’s becoming a two-team race between Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Which team will be the first to slip down the stretch?

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Feb 5, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

They’re doing their best to hold onto the Atlantic Division lead. Even if they finish second, the Lightning will be a tough matchup in the playoffs. They are one of the league’s best on both ends of the ice.

4. Minnesota Wild

The Wild will be a dark horse to reach the Western Conference Finals. If it weren’t for Colorado and Dallas, Minnesota would be the conference’s best team. The team is as confident as anyone in the NHL.

3. Dallas Stars

Dallas entered Friday undefeated in its last 10 games. They’re on a heater and at the perfect time. They are within 10 points of Colorado for the top spot in the Central Division.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Feb 1, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Carolina has been the Eastern Conference’s top team throughout the season. They are one of the few teams that have had success offensively and defensively. It will be a letdown if they do not reach the conference finals.

1. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are the league’s best team for a reason. They excel in every aspect of the game. They have a top offense, defense, and goaltending.

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