NHL Conference Standings 2025 - 2026
The National Hockey League (NHL) is divided into two main conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further split into two divisions, creating a structure that helps organize regular season play, playoff qualification, and scheduling. The Eastern Conference includes the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, while the Western Conference consists of the Central and Pacific Divisions. This setup promotes regional rivalries and competitive balance, shaping the journey to the Stanley Cup Playoffs each season.
In the NHL, teams earn points throughout the regular season to compete for playoff spots within their conference. The top three teams from each division, along with two wild card teams from each conference, advance to the postseason. This format ensures intense competition across both conferences as teams battle for positioning. Understanding the NHL’s conference system is key for fans following standings, playoff races, and team matchups throughout the year. It also plays a critical role in the league’s history, scheduling, and overall competitive dynamics.
| Acronym | Stat Name | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Games Played | The total number of games the team has played during the season. |
| W | Wins | The number of games the team has won in regulation, overtime, or shootout. |
| L | Losses | The number of games the team has lost in regulation time. |
| OTL | Overtime Losses | The number of games the team lost in overtime or shootout. Teams earn one point for each OTL. |
| PTS | Points | The total number of points earned (2 for a win, 1 for an OTL, 0 for a regulation loss). |
| RW | Regulation Wins | The number of games the team won in regulation time (used as a playoff tiebreaker). |
| GF | Goals For | The total number of goals the team has scored during the season. |
| GA | Goals Against | The total number of goals the team has allowed during the season. |
| DIFF | Goal Differential | The difference between Goals For (GF) and Goals Against (GA): DIFF = GF – GA. |
| HOME | Home Record | The team’s win-loss-overtime loss record in home games (e.g., 18-9-3). |
| AWAY | Away Record | The team’s win-loss-overtime loss record in away games. |
| S/O | Shootout Record | The team’s record in games decided by a shootout (e.g., 3-2). |
| L10 | Last 10 Games | The team’s performance over its last 10 games, typically shown as wins-losses-overtime losses. |
| STRK | Streak | The team’s current streak of wins, losses, or overtime losses (e.g., W3 for a 3-game win streak). |