Latest 2025 NHL Playoff Standings, Stanley Cup Bracket Odds and Wild-Card Predictions

The two NHL wild-card races could have a lot more clarity by the end of the week.

The Montreal Canadiens have a favorable schedule in their favor to pull away from the congested pack in the Eastern Conference.

Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators already did that with a seven-point advantage down to Montreal.

Montreal has the best odds to make the playoffs at DraftKings Sportsbook among the five teams between 74 and 77 points in the East.

The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues could only be fighting for wild-card positioning if they keep picking up points.

Minnesota secured a vital point on the road in New Jersey on Monday in a shootout loss.

Eastern Conference

Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Atlantic Division

1. Toronto - 94 points
2. Tampa Bay - 91
3. Toronto - 91

Metropolitan Division

1. Washington - 103
2. Carolina - 94
3. New Jersey - 87

Wild-Card Race

1. Ottawa - 84
2. Montreal - 77
3. New York Rangers - 77
4. Columbus - 75
5. Detroit - 74
6. New York Islanders - 74

New Jersey was the only team to gain any ground in the East on Monday with a shootout win over Minnesota

The Devils are still seven points back of Carolina for the second spot in the Metropolitan, so it looks like the Hurricanes will host that first-round series.

The wild-card chaos continues on Tuesday.

Montreal hosts Florida, Ottawa welcomes Buffalo, Columbus plays host to Nashville and the Islanders are on home ice versus Tampa Bay.

Entering Tuesday, Ottawa's odds of making the playoffs are off the board because they hold a seven-point advantage over Montreal and the Rangers.

The Canadiens are +150 to qualify for the postseason, while the Rangers are +220. The Blue Jackets are +330, the Islanders are +700 and Detroit is +1200.

Montreal already owns three wins over Florida this season, and if it completes the season sweep on Tuesday, it can create more momentum for an easier stretch ahead.

The Canadiens host Boston and Philadelphia and then visit Nashville to close out the week. They could get eight points from the four games and create the separation needed to earn the second wild-card spot.

The Rangers only have two games this week against Minnesota and New Jersey. They have played more games than any of the teams hunting for the second wild-card spot and that could play to their disadvantage.

Predictions

Montreal vs. Washington

Ottawa vs. Toronto

Florida vs. Tampa Bay

New Jersey vs. Carolina

Western Conference

Elsa/Getty Images

Central Division

1. Winnipeg - 106
2. Dallas - 102
3. Colorado - 94

Pacific Division

1. Vegas - 98
2. Los Angeles - 91
3. Edmonton - 89

Wild-Card Race

1. Minnesota - 88
2. St. Louis - 87
3. Calgary - 82
4. Vancouver - 81
5. Utah -78

Minnesota gained a crucial point in what has quickly become a two-team race in the West wild-card places.

The Wild are -900 to make the playoffs, while the Blues sit at -350.

Calgary is +230 and Vancouver is +750 to qualify for the postseason, and realistically, their odds might be longer given the Blues' recent form.

St. Louis will try to extend its winning streak to 10 games against Detroit on Tuesday. The Blues have a tough finish, but if they can beat Detroit and Pittsburgh in the next two games, they will have a larger buffer to the Flames and Canucks.

Minnesota just needs to get through its three-game stretch against the two New York teams and Dallas with a few more points.

After that, the Wild play San Jose, Vancouver, Anaheim and Calgary, all four of which are winnable games. The Flames and Canucks may be too far out of the wild-card race by that juncture.

Calgary has two games in hand on both the Wild and Blues, so that is its saving grace at the moment.

The Flames play four of their next five against Utah, San Jose and Anaheim, so there is a path to more points, but they need either Minnesota or St. Louis to slip up.

Prediction

St. Louis vs. Winnipeg

Minnesota vs. Vegas

Edmonton vs. Los Angeles

Colorado vs. Dallas

Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.