Post-Deadline Movers: The trade deadline significantly altered team depth; the Colorado Avalanche look particularly dangerous with added forward depth, while the St. Louis Blues are the league's hottest team post-deadline.
Top Contenders: Winnipeg leads the West (though the gap is tightening), Washington leads the East's points percentage post-deadline, and Vegas and Dallas remain strong contenders despite recent questions for the Stars.
Canadian Watch - Locks: Winnipeg has clinched. Toronto and Edmonton are virtual locks (>95% chance per models), focusing now on seeding and home-ice advantage, though the Oilers face injury concerns for McDavid and Draisaitl.
Canadian Watch - Bubble: Ottawa holds a wild card spot with a favorable schedule (97% chance). Montreal holds the final East spot but faces a tough road trip (50/50 chance). Vancouver needs a strong finish and help (9% chance), while Calgary also needs help despite recent resilience (30% chance).
Why this matters: Playoff seeding is crucial for matchups. For Canadian teams, breaking the 1993 Stanley Cup drought remains a major storyline, and having multiple strong contenders increases those odds. Tracking team form helps predict potential playoff upsets.
The NHL trade deadline acted as a catalyst, boosting several contenders. The Colorado Avalanche (ranked 5th by Athletic, 4th by TSN) integrated acquisitions like Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle effectively, complementing healthy wingers like Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin, resulting in an 8-1-1 post-deadline run initially. The St. Louis Blues (ranked 12th by Athletic/TSN) are arguably the biggest surprise, ripping off an eight-game win streak to become the league's hottest team, powered by scorers like Dylan Holloway, Jordan Kyrou, and Robert Thomas, even without key players.
At the top, the Winnipeg Jets (ranked 1st by Athletic, 6th by TSN) clinched first in the West but face tougher competition from division rivals who loaded up, and Gabriel Vilardi's injury hurts their top line. The Washington Capitals (ranked 3rd by Athletic, 2nd by TSN) boast the East's best post-deadline points percentage, though their record against playoff teams raises questions. The Vegas Golden Knights (ranked 4th by Athletic, 3rd by TSN) remain steady contenders with a solid post-deadline record.
Canadian Teams Playoff Outlook:
Winnipeg Jets: Clinched. Focus shifts to holding off Central rivals and postseason performance.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Virtually certain (>99% chance). Battling Florida for the Atlantic Division title, but recent losses to weaker teams (Sharks, Predators) raise consistency concerns.
Edmonton Oilers: Virtually certain (>80% chance). Likely facing the Kings again. Recent injuries to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are a major concern, impacting their push for home-ice advantage.
Ottawa Senators: Strong position (97% chance). Hold the first wild card spot in the East with a relatively easy remaining schedule and solid recent play (9-3-1 heater mentioned).
Montreal Canadiens: On the bubble (50% chance). Occupy the final East wild card spot but face a challenging upcoming schedule and have lost momentum recently.
Vancouver Canucks: Fading hopes (9% chance). Thatcher Demko's return is positive, but they sit points out of the final West spot with tough competition from St. Louis and Minnesota.
Calgary Flames: Outside looking in (30% chance). Showing resilience but face a daunting schedule and need teams ahead (like St. Louis, Vancouver, Minnesota) to falter. Rookie goalie Dustin Wolf has been a highlight.
Q: Which Canadian NHL team has the best chance to make a deep playoff run?
A: Based on current standings and roster strength, the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers appear to have the best chances among Canadian teams, although recent injuries pose a challenge for Edmonton.
Q: Who is the hottest team in the NHL right now?
A: The St. Louis Blues have been the hottest team since the trade deadline, riding an impressive eight-game winning streak as of late March 2025.
Q: Can all seven Canadian teams make the playoffs?
A: While technically possible, it's highly unlikely based on current standings and probabilities. Winnipeg, Toronto, and Edmonton are near-certainties, Ottawa is probable, but Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary face uphill battles.
The final weeks are critical for playoff seeding – home-ice advantage is on the line.
Monitor the injury situations, especially for Edmonton's superstars McDavid and Draisaitl, as this could significantly impact the playoff landscape.
Keep an eye on the bubble teams in both conferences – particularly the Canadian teams Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary – as every point matters.
Teams like St. Louis show that late-season momentum can make a team a dangerous playoff opponent, regardless of their seed.
The playoff race is intense! Which Canadian team do you think has the best shot at the Stanley Cup this year? Will the St. Louis Blues carry their momentum into the postseason? Let us know your thoughts!
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