The NHL regular season 2024-25 is entering its final weeks, with the season concluding on April 17th. As teams battle for playoff spots and favorable seeding, the difficulty of their remaining schedules plays a crucial role.
This week`s power rankings not only update team positions but also analyze each team`s strength of schedule, data provided by Stathletes.
Ranking Methodology: Our power rankings are determined by a poll of hockey experts, including commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors. Rankings are based on team performance through Wednesday games.
Note: Previous rankings refer to last week`s list published on March 21st. Point percentages are current as of Thursday`s games.
- 1. Washington Capitals
- 2. Winnipeg Jets
- 3. Dallas Stars
- 4. Vegas Golden Knights
- 5. Carolina Hurricanes
- 6. Colorado Avalanche
- 7. Los Angeles Kings
- 8. Florida Panthers
- 9. Toronto Maple Leafs
- 10. Edmonton Oilers
- 11. Tampa Bay Lightning
- 12. St. Louis Blues
- 13. Minnesota Wild
- 14. New Jersey Devils
- 15. Ottawa Senators
- 16. Calgary Flames
- 17. Vancouver Canucks
- 18. Montreal Canadiens
- 19. Utah Hockey Club
- 20. New York Islanders
- 21. New York Rangers
- 22. Columbus Blue Jackets
- 23. Detroit Red Wings
- 24. Pittsburgh Penguins
- 25. Boston Bruins
- 26. Anaheim Ducks
- 27. Seattle Kraken
- 28. Nashville Predators
- 29. Philadelphia Flyers
- 30. Buffalo Sabres
- 31. Chicago Blackhawks
- 32. San Jose Sharks
1. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.5%
Strength of schedule: 46.2%, 29th. With Alex Ovechkin pursuing Wayne Gretzky`s scoring record, the Capitals are in a strong position to maintain their top seed in the Eastern Conference due to their relatively easy remaining schedule.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 30), @ BOS (April 1), @ CAR (April 2)
2. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.8%
Strength of schedule: 50.6%, 14th. The Jets appear comfortable atop the Western Conference, but the Presidents` Trophy is still in play. Schedule difficulty gives the Capitals a slight advantage.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 28), vs. VAN (March 30), @ LA (April 1), @ VGK (April 3)
3. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 68.1%
Strength of schedule: 47.9%, 25th. The Stars have a chance to overtake the Jets for the Central Division`s top spot, aided by a favorable remaining schedule.
Next seven days: @ SEA (March 29), @ SEA (March 31), vs. NSH (April 3)
4. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.2%
Strength of schedule: 48.1%, 23rd. Despite a quiet trade deadline, the Golden Knights are likely to maintain their division lead due to their schedule.
Next seven days: @ CHI (March 28), @ NSH (March 29), vs. EDM (April 1), vs. WPG (April 3)
5. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 63.4%
Strength of schedule: 48.6%, 21st. The Hurricanes are headed to the playoffs, likely as the Metro Division`s second seed.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 28), vs. NYI (March 30), vs. WSH (April 2)
6. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.7%
Strength of schedule: 50.2%, 16th. A first-round matchup against the Stars seems probable; home-ice advantage is the remaining question.
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 29), vs. CGY (March 31), @ CHI (April 2), @ CBJ (April 3)
7. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.7%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 10th. The Kings are unlikely to catch the Golden Knights for the division lead based on schedule difficulty.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (March 29), vs. SJ (March 30), vs. WPG (April 1), @ UTA (April 3)
8. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 62.7%
Strength of schedule: 50.2%, 17th. Among the Atlantic Division contenders, the Panthers face the toughest remaining schedule.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (March 28), vs. MTL (March 30), @ MTL (April 1), @ TOR (April 2)
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.5%
Strength of schedule: 49.9%, 19th. The Maple Leafs` first-round opponent will depend on their final division placement, potentially facing either Ottawa or a Florida team.
Next seven days: @ LA (March 29), @ ANA (March 30), vs. FLA (April 2)
10. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 60.4%
Strength of schedule: 49.9%, 20th. While a division title is becoming less likely, the Oilers are poised for another first-round series against the Kings.
Next seven days: vs. CGY (March 29), @ VGK (April 1), @ SJ (April 3)
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.8%
Strength of schedule: 48.4%, 22nd. The Atlantic Division`s top three seem set, with the Lightning having the easiest remaining schedule among them.
Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 29), @ NYI (April 1), @ OTT (April 3)
12. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.4%
Strength of schedule: 52.8%, 5th. Jordan Binnington`s strong play has propelled the Blues into playoff contention. Can they maintain their position?
Next seven days: @ COL (March 29), vs. DET (April 1), vs. PIT (April 3)
13. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.6%
Strength of schedule: 47.4%, 26th. Despite recent struggles, the Wild`s strong start and easy schedule should secure a playoff spot.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 29), @ NJ (March 31), @ NYR (April 2)
14. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 56.9%
Strength of schedule: 44.8%, 32nd. The Devils have the easiest remaining schedule, a welcome advantage given their recent injuries and playoff push.
Next seven days: @ WPG (March 28), @ MIN (March 29), vs. MIN (March 31)
15. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.0%
Strength of schedule: 47.3%, 27th. The Senators` consistent approach has them in playoff contention, a trend likely to continue with their schedule.
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (March 29), @ PIT (March 30), vs. BUF (April 1), vs. TB (April 3)
16. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.6%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 9th. The Flames face a challenging schedule if they hope to make a playoff push.
Next seven days: @ EDM (March 29), @ COL (March 31), @ UTA (April 1), vs. ANA (April 3)
17. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.6%
Strength of schedule: 52.6%, 6th. The Canucks need a strong run and help from other teams to return to the playoffs.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 28), @ WPG (March 30), vs. SEA (April 2)
18. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 52.8%
Strength of schedule: 50.3%, 15th. Playoff hockey in Montreal? The Canadiens have a medium-difficulty schedule ahead.
Next seven days: @ CAR (March 28), @ FLA (March 30), vs. FLA (April 1), vs. BOS (April 3)
19. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 52.3%, 8th. Utah`s playoff contention this late in the season is positive for the young team and fans, but a playoff spot is still a long shot.
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 28), @ CHI (March 30), vs. CGY (April 1), vs. LA (April 3)
20. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 54.1%, 1st. The Islanders could still grab a wild card spot, but face the league`s toughest remaining schedule.
Next seven days: @ TB (March 29), @ CAR (March 30), vs. TB (April 1)
21. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 51.4%
Strength of schedule: 51.6%, 13th. Recent poor play has hurt the Rangers` playoff chances, but they are not entirely out of contention.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 28), @ SJ (March 29), vs. MIN (April 2)
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 51.6%, 12th. The Blue Jackets have fallen since the trade deadline, but still have a slight chance at the postseason.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (March 28), @ OTT (March 29), vs. NSH (April 1), vs. COL (April 3)
23. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.0%
Strength of schedule: 53.5%, 4th. Playoffs seem unlikely for the Red Wings this season.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 29), @ STL (April 1)
24. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.6%
Strength of schedule: 46.1%, 30th. The Penguins` easy schedule comes too late to realistically impact their playoff chances.
Next seven days: vs. OTT (March 30), @ STL (April 3)
25. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 47.3%
Strength of schedule: 46.5%, 28th. Boston`s trade deadline and subsequent performance suggest a top-10 draft pick is more likely than playoffs.
Next seven days: @ DET (March 29), vs. WSH (April 1), @ MTL (April 3)
26. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 49.3%
Strength of schedule: 50.0%, 18th. The Ducks showed progress but will be in the draft lottery again.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 28), vs. TOR (March 30), vs. SJ (April 1), @ CGY (April 3)
27. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.6%
Strength of schedule: 53.5%, 3rd. The Kraken`s first season under Dan Bylsma has been disappointing, and more losses are likely.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 29), vs. DAL (March 31), @ VAN (April 2)
28. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 43.1%
Strength of schedule: 54.1%, 2nd. The Predators` season has been challenging, and summer changes are expected.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (March 29), @ PHI (March 31), @ CBJ (April 1), @ DAL (April 3)
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 45.3%
Strength of schedule: 46.0%, 31st. Interim coach Brad Shaw has a chance to improve the Flyers` record with their easy schedule. Could it lead to a permanent role?
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 29), vs. NSH (March 31)
30. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 46.5%
Strength of schedule: 52.5%, 7th. The Sabres made minimal changes in the offseason and at the deadline. Approaching their 14th playoff miss, will significant changes come?
Next seven days: @ PHI (March 29), @ WSH (March 30), @ OTT (April 1)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.4%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 11th. The Blackhawks and Sharks are competing for the NHL`s worst record and the best draft lottery odds.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (March 28), vs. UTAH (March 30), vs. COL (April 2)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 34.5%
Strength of schedule: 48.0%, 24th. In the race for the bottom, the Sharks have an easier schedule than the Blackhawks.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 29), @ LA (March 30), @ ANA (April 1), vs. EDM (April 3)
