NHL Division Standings 2025 - 2026
The National Hockey League (NHL) is organized into four divisions: the Atlantic Division and Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, and the Central Division and Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Each division includes a mix of historic franchises and emerging teams, creating intense rivalries and regional matchups throughout the season. Divisional alignment plays a crucial role in determining regular season schedules, playoff qualification, and the structure of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Divisions are not just for organizing teams geographically—they directly impact how the NHL season unfolds. Teams play more games against opponents within their own division, making divisional standings especially important for playoff seeding. Fans often follow division races closely, as even a few points can separate teams from making the playoffs or missing out. Understanding the NHL’s division format adds depth to tracking team performance, analyzing matchups, and appreciating the league’s competitive landscape.
| 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). |