Eastern Conference Playoff Picture Tightens as Regular Season Nears End

NEW YORK, March 15, 2025 — As the NHL regular season draws to a close, teams in the Eastern Conference are racing against time to secure playoff positions, with 15 to 17 games remaining. The competition has intensified, and several teams have all but confirmed their playoff spots.

The Atlantic Division has three teams likely to clinch their playoff berths: the Boston Bruins, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Division is also poised to send two teams to the playoffs: the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently holding the first wild-card spot, bolstered by a three-game winning streak.

As of March 15, the Blue Jackets have 75 points and 26 regulation wins from 65 games played. The New Jersey Devils are a close contender for the second wild-card position, having accumulated 70 points in just 65 games, putting them ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens, both at 68 points.

If the playoff race comes down to tiebreakers based on regulation wins, the Rangers hold a significant advantage with 29 regulation victories, compared to 23 for the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, and Bruins, and 22 for the Canadiens.

Four of the five teams in the Eastern Conference playoff mix are set to play on March 16, and they will be keeping a close eye on the Maple Leafs, who host the Ottawa Senators. The outcomes of these games could shift the playoff landscape dramatically.

April 17 is the final day of the NHL regular season, and fans can look forward to detailed coverage of the playoff races and the implications for the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Statistics from Stathletes indicate strong playoff chances for teams at the top, with the Bruins and Lightning both positioned with 85 points and regulation wins as high as 36. The playoff race remains fluid, with teams fighting for every point in the final stretch.

As excitement builds leading into the playoffs, the NHL invites fans to tune into matches and stay updated on their teams’ standings and playoff aspirations.