Who's in 2025 NHL playoffs? Tracking standings, playoff bracket, tiebreakers
The idle Winnipeg Jets didn't get either of the scenarios they needed Sunday to clinch the NHL's second 2025 playoff berth.
They have another chance on Tuesday when they host the Washington Capitals in a game important to the Presidents' Trophy race for top regular-season team and home-ice advantage through the playoffs.
The Capitals already clinched a playoff spot and lead the league with 102 points, two ahead of the Jets. Washington has a game in hand, plus holds the first tiebreaker.
Monday's schedule features two games with teams trying to push closer to a wild-card spot: Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders, plus Detroit Red Wings at Utah Hockey Club. Columbus has activated center Sean Monahan and defenseman Erik Gudbranson off injured reserve.
The NHL playoff standings are a jumble with many teams in contention. Here's a look at the playoff picture:
Who's in the NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals
Western Conference: None
Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth Monday?
No one can clinch.
With a victory Monday, the Islanders would tie Montreal in the second wild-card spot with 75 points, but the Canadiens would have a game in hand.
NHL schedule today
All times p.m. ET
- Vancouver at New Jersey, 7:30
- Columbus at N.Y. Islanders, 7:30
- Minnesota at Dallas, 8
- Detroit at Utah, 9
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2024-25
(as of March 23)
Metropolitan Division
x-Washington Capitals (102 points)
Carolina Hurricanes (90)
New Jersey Devils (80)
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers (89)
Toronto Maple Leafs (87)
Tampa Bay Lightning (85)
Wild card
Ottawa Senators (79)
Montreal Canadiens (75)
Sitting outside playoff position: New York Rangers (74), New York Islanders (73), Columbus Blue Jackets (71), Detroit Red Wings (70), Boston Bruins (69), Pittsburgh Penguins (69), Philadelphia Flyers (65), Buffalo Sabres (62)
NHL Western Conference standings 2024-25
(as of March 23)
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets (100)
Dallas Stars (92)
Colorado Avalanche (89)
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (92)
Los Angeles Kings (87)
Edmonton Oilers (87)
Wild card
Minnesota Wild (85)
St. Louis Blues (81)
Sitting outside playoff spot: Calgary Flames (77), Vancouver Canucks (76), Utah Hockey Club (75), Anaheim Ducks (68), Seattle Kraken (65), Nashville Predators (60), z-Chicago Blackhawks (51), z-San Jose Sharks (45)
x-clinched playoff spot; z-eliminated
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended March 23:
- Washington (M1) vs. Montreal (WC2)
- Carolina (M2) vs. New Jersey (M3)
- Florida (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
- Toronto (A2) vs. Tampa Bay (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended March 23:
- Winnipeg (C1) vs. St. Louis (WC2)
- Dallas (C2) vs. Colorado (C3)
- Vegas (P1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
- Los Angeles (P2) vs. Edmonton (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division. P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
What is the tiebreaker procedure for the NHL playoffs?
If two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
- Regulation wins
- Regulation and overtime wins
- Total wins
- Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
- Goal differential
- Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on April 17 with seven games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 19.