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NHL Wild Card Standings 2025 - 2026

Eastern

Atlantic

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
2
Florida Panthers
22004253+22-0-00-0-00-02-0-0W2
1
Boston Bruins
22004174+31-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
5
Montreal Canadiens
21102176+10-0-01-1-00-01-1-0W1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

Metropolitan

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
1
Pittsburgh Penguins
22004273+41-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
3
New York Rangers
21102143+10-1-01-0-00-01-1-0W1
2
Carolina Hurricanes
11002163+31-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

Wild Card

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
2
Florida Panthers
22004253+22-0-00-0-00-02-0-0W2
1
Boston Bruins
22004174+31-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
1
Pittsburgh Penguins
22004273+41-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
5
Montreal Canadiens
21102176+10-0-01-1-00-01-1-0W1
4
Ottawa Senators
11002154+10-0-01-0-00-01-0-0W1
3
Toronto Maple Leafs
11002152+31-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
3
New York Rangers
21102143+10-1-01-0-00-01-1-0W1
2
Carolina Hurricanes
11002163+31-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
8
Buffalo Sabres
10100004-40-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
7
Detroit Red Wings
10100015-40-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
6
Tampa Bay Lightning
10100045-10-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
8
New Jersey Devils
10100036-30-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
5
Columbus Blue Jackets
10100012-10-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
4
New York Islanders
10100034-10-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
6
Philadelphia Flyers
10100012-10-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
7
Washington Capitals
10100013-20-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

Western

Central

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
1
Colorado Avalanche
22004262+41-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
2
Minnesota Wild
11002150+50-0-01-0-00-01-0-0W1
3
Dallas Stars
11002154+10-0-01-0-00-01-0-0W1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

Pacific

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
1
Vegas Golden Knights
2101309900-0-11-0-00-11-0-1W1
4
Los Angeles Kings
21102079-20-1-01-0-00-01-1-0W1
2
Vancouver Canucks
11002151+41-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

Wild Card

Rank
Team
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
RW
GF
GA
DIFF
HOME
AWAY
S/O
L10
STRK
1
Colorado Avalanche
22004262+41-0-01-0-00-02-0-0W2
1
Vegas Golden Knights
2101309900-0-11-0-00-11-0-1W1
2
Minnesota Wild
11002150+50-0-01-0-00-01-0-0W1
3
Dallas Stars
11002154+10-0-01-0-00-01-0-0W1
4
Nashville Predators
11002121+11-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
3
Seattle Kraken
11002131+21-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
4
Los Angeles Kings
21102079-20-1-01-0-00-01-1-0W1
2
Vancouver Canucks
11002151+41-0-00-0-00-01-0-0W1
5
Calgary Flames
21102058-30-0-01-1-00-01-1-0L1
5
Chicago Blackhawks
20111057-20-0-00-1-10-00-1-1L2
7
San Jose Sharks
10011034-10-0-10-0-00-00-0-1L1
6
Edmonton Oilers
10011034-10-0-10-0-00-10-0-1L1
8
St Louis Blues
10100005-50-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
7
Utah Mammoth
10100012-10-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
6
Winnipeg Jets
10100045-10-1-00-0-00-00-1-0L1
8
Anaheim Ducks
10100013-20-0-00-1-00-00-1-0L1
RankTeamGPWLOTLPTSRWGFGADIFFHOMEAWAYS/OL10STRK

The NHL wild card system is a key component of the league’s playoff format, allowing two additional teams from each conference to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the top three teams in each of the four divisions earn automatic playoff spots, the next two teams with the highest point totals in each conference—regardless of division—are awarded wild card berths. This system ensures that strong teams in competitive divisions still have a chance to compete in the postseason, even if they don’t finish in the top three of their division.

The wild card format adds intensity to the final weeks of the NHL regular season, as teams on the playoff bubble fight for valuable points. Wild card teams typically face the top-seeded division winners in the first round, creating high-stakes matchups right from the start of the playoffs. Understanding how the NHL wild card race works is essential for fans tracking playoff scenarios, team performance, and postseason predictions. It brings additional excitement and strategic depth to the league’s already competitive structure.

AcronymStat NameDefinition
GPGames PlayedThe total number of games the team has played during the season.
WWinsThe number of games the team has won in regulation, overtime, or shootout.
LLossesThe number of games the team has lost in regulation time.
OTLOvertime LossesThe number of games the team lost in overtime or shootout. Teams earn one point for each OTL.
PTSPointsThe total number of points earned (2 for a win, 1 for an OTL, 0 for a regulation loss).
RWRegulation WinsThe number of games the team won in regulation time (used as a playoff tiebreaker).
GFGoals ForThe total number of goals the team has scored during the season.
GAGoals AgainstThe total number of goals the team has allowed during the season.
DIFFGoal DifferentialThe difference between Goals For (GF) and Goals Against (GA): DIFF = GF – GA.
HOMEHome RecordThe team’s win-loss-overtime loss record in home games (e.g., 18-9-3).
AWAYAway RecordThe team’s win-loss-overtime loss record in away games.
S/OShootout RecordThe team’s record in games decided by a shootout (e.g., 3-2).
L10Last 10 GamesThe team’s performance over its last 10 games, typically shown as wins-losses-overtime losses.
STRKStreakThe team’s current streak of wins, losses, or overtime losses (e.g., W3 for a 3-game win streak).