Updated 2025 NHL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Matchups After Rangers Eliminated

For the second time in New York Rangers franchise history, the Blueshirts have gone from winning the President's Trophy to missing the playoffs in the span of a single season.

The Rangers were eliminated from 2025 postseason contention on Saturday with an 7-3 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Rangers previously saw a similar descent from Presidents' Trophy winner to non-playoff team between 1992 and 1993. The team then came back to win the Stanley Cup in 1994.

While the Rangers turn their attention toward rebuilding in hopes of a similar result in 2026, the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff picture is coming in to focus.

Here's a look at the projected NHL playoff matchups now that the Rangers are officially out of the picture.

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Eastern Conference

Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) v. Ottawa Senators (WC1)

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) v. Florida Panthers (A3)

Washington Capitals (M1) v. Montreal Canadiens (WC2)

Carolina Hurricanes (M2) v. New Jersey Devils (M3)

Western Conference

Winnipeg Jets (C1) v. St. Louis Blues (WC2)

Dallas Stars (C2) v. Colorado Avalanche (C3)

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) v. Minnesota Wild (WC1)

Los Angeles Kings (P2) v. Edmonton Oilers (P3)

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The Rangers' weaknesses early in the season reportedly led to general manager Chris Drury sending a league-wide memo informing other teams his players were available for trades in November.

That was followed by the departures of Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko in December, the acquisition of JT Miller in January and the March trades of Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey.

Those changes weren't enough to account for the drop in production by Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider, two of the Rangers' top three scorers from last season.

The Rangers' power play similarly dropped off from the 2023-24 campaign. After ranking top-three in the NHL last season, it has been one of the least effective units in the league this campaign.

Igor Shesterkin has simultaneously come short of a Vezina caliber campaign, while New York's porous defense has left him on track to mark the lowest save percentage of his career.

The Rangers were considered a contender in 2024 largely because of their power play and goaltending.

Drury will need to address the Rangers' flaws at even strength, in addition to helping Shesterkin and the special teams return to their usual dominance, in order to get this team back in the playoff picture next spring.

The Eastern Conference playoff picture is meanwhile continuing to settle. The Ottawa Senators are pulling away from the Montreal Canadiens in the race for the top Wild Card spot, while the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning still each have a chance to clinch the top of the Atlantic.