The NHL playoff odds board is almost settled with five days left in the regular season, but the final scramble is still alive where it usually is: in the middle. Colorado Avalanche (50-26, 100.0%) have locked down the top of the board, while the last few percentage points are separating the real bubble teams from the teams already living on borrowed time.
Eastern Conference: Boston and Pittsburgh Hold the Line
The East has a clear tier break. Carolina Hurricanes (49-28, 100.0%), Tampa Bay Lightning (48-29, 100.0%), Buffalo Sabres (47-31, 100.0%), Montreal Canadiens (45-32, 100.0%), and Minnesota Wild (44-33, 100.0%) are already in, and Pittsburgh Penguins (40-38, 100.0%) have the same status despite a much thinner cushion in the standings.
The real fight starts just below that group. Boston Bruins (43-35, 96.4%) are close to safe, but not done; their 99 projected points still leave a small lane for trouble if the bottom half of the field catches fire. Ottawa Senators (40-37) and Detroit Red Wings (40-37) are not among the top 12 in playoff odds, and that tells the story: they are running out of schedule and out of math.
Western Conference: Utah, Edmonton, and Anaheim Need Help
The West is more unsettled, but the top remains firm. Dallas Stars (45-32, 100.0%) sit comfortably with 108 projected points, and Edmonton Oilers (39-38, 96.2%) still have work to do even after climbing into the top 12. Utah (40-36, 96.9%) and Anaheim Ducks (41-36, 94.5%) are the two most vulnerable teams on the board; both are in range, but neither can coast.
That’s where the last week gets interesting. Utah’s 93 projected points suggest a narrow finish, and Anaheim’s 2.2% championship chance shows how little room there is for a late surge to turn into a deep run. The West bubble is still open, but it is shrinking fast.
Games to Watch
- UTA vs EDM — two teams still hanging onto playoff position by percentage points, with Edmonton at 96.2% and Utah at 96.9%.
- BOS vs PIT — Boston (96.4%) is trying to stay clear of the pack while Pittsburgh (100.0%) protects its place in the bracket picture.
- ANA vs DAL — Anaheim (94.5%) needs points against a Dallas team already sitting at 100.0% and 108 projected points.