{"id":533442,"date":"2026-03-31T20:32:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/533442\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T20:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:32:43","slug":"stanley-cup-power-rankings-heading-into-april-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/533442\/","title":{"rendered":"Stanley Cup power rankings heading into April"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025-2026 regular season is down to the final 10 games. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are the first two NHL teams to clinch playoff berths. The two wild-card spots in each conference are turning into a showdown between a handful of teams. Here are the Stanley Cup power rankings heading into the final week of March and the first week of April.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Under the radar NFL free agent signing keeps NFC contender potent\u2026 and dangerous<\/a><\/p>\n

20. Nashville Predators<\/p>\n

Nashville has the benefit of playing in the Western Conference. If they played in the Eastern Conference, they wouldn\u2019t be close to a wild-card spot. They currently hold the second wild card, but Los Angeles, Seattle, Winnipeg, San Jose, and St. Louis are within four points of overtaking them.<\/p>\n

19. Vegas Golden Knights<\/p>\n

\"VegasVegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Vegas has endured a brutal second half of the season. The team has yet to find a hot streak and have struggled over their last 10 games. The team has the talent to make a run to the Stanley Cup Finals and needs to find its stride to ensure a playoff berth. Firing their head coach and hiring John Tortorella for the remainder of the season can be the push the Golden Knights need.<\/p>\n

18. Utah Mammoth<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Mammoth have relied on goaltending and defense throughout the season. They\u2019ve ranked in the top 10 in goals allowed per game and continue to play well. Utah\u2019s offense continues to rank in the top 15.<\/p>\n

17. Edmonton Oilers<\/p>\n

Edmonton has battled goaltending and defensive issues for the better part of the season. The Oilers have worked their way to second in the Pacific Division and are three points behind Anaheim for the division lead. They are starting to play their best hockey of the season just as the playoffs begin.<\/p>\n

16. Washington Capitals<\/p>\n

The Capitals are starting to make a final push for the playoffs. They have eight games remaining and are five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild card. The team\u2019s playoff hopes will come down to the final game of the regular season.<\/p>\n

15. Anaheim Ducks<\/p>\n

\"AnaheimAnaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Anaheim is thankful for the Pacific Division. The Ducks lead the division, but the only Pacific Division team with a positive goal differential is the second-place Oilers. The team will continue relying on offense, and the regular season ends.<\/p>\n

14. Philadelphia Flyers<\/p>\n

The Flyers\u2019 offense has struggled throughout the season. However, their defense and goaltending have kept the team afloat and are two points out of the final wild card in the Eastern Conference. The team has gone 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and needs continued production in their final nine games.<\/p>\n

13. Detroit Red Wings<\/p>\n

A month ago, Detroit sat atop the Atlantic Division. Currently, the team is sixth and battling for an Eastern Conference wild card. Six of Detroit\u2019s final nine games are against teams in playoff contention.<\/p>\n

12. Ottawa Senators<\/p>\n

Ottawa is two points behind Columbus for the final Eastern Conference wild card. They\u2019ve played well over their last 10 games and are making a final push. The Senators may not compete for the Stanley Cup, but the team can make any playoff round a tough series.<\/p>\n

11. Columbus Blue Jackets<\/p>\n

Columbus continues its 180 from the first half of the season. The team has rebounded from their early-season struggles and holds the second Eastern Conference wild card. They must continue producing in their final eight games.<\/p>\n

10. Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n

\"PittsburghPittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (87) speaks to forward Evgeni Malkin at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Penguins are third in the Metropolitan Division with nine games left. Captain Sidney Crosby has yet to play following the injury he suffered in the Olympics. However, he\u2019s returned to practice and is aiming to return this week.<\/p>\n

9. New York Islanders<\/p>\n

New York\u2019s goaltending and defense have earned high praise. The team\u2019s offense has been underwhelming throughout the season, but goaltending and defense continue to carry the team. The Islander\u2019s offense ranks 22nd, and their defense ranks 3rd.<\/p>\n

8. Boston Bruins<\/p>\n

Boston has righted the ship after struggling the past few weeks. The Bruins currently hold the first wild card in the Eastern Conference. The team cannot take their feet off the gas in the final eight games of the regular season.<\/p>\n

7. Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n

Only a historic collapse will cost Montreal a playoff berth in its final nine games. This is unlikely as the league\u2019s 3rd\u2013ranked offense continues to produce. The Canadiens\u2019 defense might be its downfall in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

6. Minnesota Wild<\/p>\n

The Wild have been overshadowed by division foes Colorado and Dallas. If it wasn\u2019t for the Avalanche and Stars, the Central Division\u2019s best team. Minnesota has the roster to make a strong push for the Stanley Cup Finals.<\/p>\n

5. Buffalo Sabres<\/p>\n

\"BuffaloBuffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) before the game at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Buffalo has dropped to second in the Atlantic Division but continues to play outstanding hockey. The Sabres have been the league\u2019s best performers in the second half of the season. The team has eight games left to move past Tampa Bay for the division lead.<\/p>\n

4. Carolina Hurricanes<\/p>\n

Carolina is outstanding and does not receive enough praise. The Hurricanes\u2019 strong play has kept them in the Metropolitan Division lead throughout the season. The team\u2019s offense ranks 4th in goals scored per game.<\/p>\n

3. Tampa Bay Lightning<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay has moved back to first place in the Atlantic Division. Over the last 10 games, the Lightning have gone 7-1-2. The division lead will be a three-team race between Tampa Bay, Buffalo, and Montreal.<\/p>\n

2. Dallas Stars<\/p>\n

The Dallas Stars are six points behind the Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche. They have eight games left to try to overtake their division rival. If they do not beat them for the division lead, they will have the chance to upend Colorado\u2019s Stanley Cup hopes in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

1. Colorado Avalanche<\/p>\n

\"ColoradoColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Avalanche have been the NHL\u2019s top team throughout the season. They lead the league in wins, points, and goal differential. On the season, Colorado ranks first in goals scored and goals allowed per game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025-2026 regular season is down to the final 10 games. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":533443,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5116],"tags":[20557,193,192,144,5277,58,5,4,27164,300],"class_list":["post-533442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-colorado-avalanche","tag-2026-stanley-cup-playoffs","tag-avalanche","tag-colorado","tag-colorado-avalanche","tag-coloradoavalanche","tag-featured","tag-hockey","tag-nhl","tag-nhl-power-rankings","tag-stanley-cup-finals"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116325695953438429","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533442"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533442\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/533443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}