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NHL Power Rankings: Final Look Before Season Concludes
The playoff picture is nearly set as the 2025-26 NHL regular season winds down.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:10pm
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The NHL's final regular season push is a frenetic, multi-faceted battle for playoff positioning.NYC TodayWith the Stanley Cup Playoffs just around the corner, the NHL regular season is coming to a close. Some playoff races have already been decided, while others are going down to the wire. The Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders have been eliminated from postseason contention, while the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are battling for the final Western Conference wild card spot.
Why it matters
As teams make their final playoff pushes, the standings and power rankings are shifting. This provides insight into which teams are peaking at the right time and which ones are struggling heading into the high-stakes postseason.
The details
The Colorado Avalanche have clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the league's best team during the regular season. The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars have also solidified their positions near the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators have surged up the rankings, securing a playoff spot for the second straight year with an impressive late-season run.
- The NHL regular season concludes this week.
- The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in mid-April.
The players
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team during the regular season.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings' playoff drought has now stretched to ten straight seasons after being officially eliminated from contention.
New York Islanders
Despite a late-season push fueled by the breakout performance of young star Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders will miss the playoffs.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks currently hold the third seed in the Pacific Division, but are under pressure from chasing contenders.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings sit in the second wild-card position in the Western Conference, but are being chased by teams like the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets.
What’s next
The NHL regular season concludes this week, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning in mid-April.
The takeaway
As the NHL regular season winds down, the playoff picture is taking shape. Teams like the Avalanche, Hurricanes, and Stars have solidified their positions at the top, while the Senators have surged up the rankings. The final wild card spots in each conference remain up for grabs, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the 2025-26 season.
