With less than two weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NHL regular season, concluding on April 17, the playoff picture is becoming clearer daily as teams secure their spots or face elimination.
This week sees a change at the top of our rankings, and we delve into how each of the 32 teams has performed relative to their preseason point projections from ESPN BET.
Our Ranking Methodology: A panel of ESPN hockey experts, including commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors, submits weekly 1-32 polls based on games played through Wednesday. These polls are compiled to create our comprehensive ranking list.
Note: Rankings are compared to the previous edition from March 28. Point percentages are current through Thursday`s games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.1%
Projected points: 95.5
Points pace: 115.9
Despite a slight dip from their initial 15 games, the Jets are still vying for the top overall seed as they head into the postseason, aiming for a deeper playoff run than recent years.
Next seven days: @ UTA (April 5), vs. STL (April 7), @ DAL (April 10)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 70.0%
Projected points: 89.5
Points pace: 114.8
While Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of Gretzky`s scoring record rightly captures attention, the Capitals have evolved into a formidable and complete team. Could they lift the Cup once more this summer?
Next seven days: vs. CHI (April 4), @ NYI (April 6), vs. CAR (April 10)
3. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 69.3%
Projected points: 103.5
Points pace: 113.0
Expected to have another strong season, the Stars have surpassed projections and remain contenders for the Presidents` Trophy.
Next seven days: vs. PIT (April 5), @ MIN (April 6), vs. VAN (April 8), vs. WPG (April 10)
4. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.3%
Projected points: 97.5
Points pace: 108.6
Playoff hockey with the Golden Knights is a certainty. Will their playoff journey mirror their 2023 Cup run or their swift 2024 exit?
Next seven days: @ CGY (April 5), @ VAN (April 6), @ COL (April 8), vs. SEA (April 10)
5. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 64.9%
Projected points: 100.5
Points pace: 106.4
Under Rod Brind`Amour, the Hurricanes are consistently playoff-bound. Could this be the year they return to the Stanley Cup Final?
Next seven days: @ DET (April 4), @ BOS (April 5), @ BUF (April 8), @ WSH (April 10)
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 64.0%
Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 105.0
Making their ninth consecutive postseason appearance, will the Maple Leafs, under Craig Berube`s guidance, achieve a more favorable outcome for their fans?
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (April 5), @ FLA (April 8), @ TB (April 9)
7. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 63.6%
Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 103.6
Despite an uneven season, the Avalanche are on track to finish as expected.
Next seven days: @ STL (April 5), vs. VGK (April 8), vs. VAN (April 10)
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.0%
Projected points: 98.5
Points pace: 103.1
Strengthened by trade deadline acquisitions, the Lightning have been among the league`s top performers since March 7.
Next seven days: @ BUF (Apil 5), @ NYR (April 7), vs. TOR (April 9)
9. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.3%
Projected points: 96.5
Points pace: 103.1
With the league`s second-best goals-against record, the Kings` defensive prowess will be crucial in a likely first-round matchup against Edmonton.
Next seven days: vs. EDM (April 5), vs. SEA (April 7), vs. ANA (April 10)
10. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 61.3%
Projected points: 102.5
Points pace: 100.6
Slightly below their projected pace, the Panthers seem destined for another playoff series against Tampa Bay.
Next seven days: @ OTT (April 5), @ DET (April 6), vs. TOR (April 8), vs. DET (April 10)
11. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 62.0%
Projected points: 108.5
Points pace: 100.8
Despite likely finishing slightly behind preseason expectations, the Oilers, led by Draisaitl and McDavid, are focused on a championship run.
Next seven days: @ LA (April 5), @ ANA (April 7), vs. STL (April 9)
12. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.1%
Projected points: 86.5
Points pace: 96.0
The surging Blues have entered the playoff conversation and are set to exceed their projected point total significantly.
Next seven days: vs. COL (April 5), @ WPG (April 7), @ EDM (April 9)
13. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.2%
Projected points: 101.5
Points pace: 93.9
The Devils are clinging to a playoff spot, largely due to a strong first half, despite key injuries impacting their second half.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (April 5), vs. BOS (April 8)
14. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.6%
Projected points: 93.5
Points pace: 96.0
A solid first half has kept the Wild in a playoff position and ahead of their preseason point projections.
Next seven days: @ NYI (April 4), vs. DAL (April 6), vs. SJ (April 9)
15. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.3%
Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 93.1
Potentially playoff-bound for the first time since 2017, the Senators are looking to build a new streak.
Next seven days: vs. FLA (April 5), vs. CBJ (April 6), @ CBJ (April 8)
16. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 56.0%
Projected points: 81.5
Points pace: 90.9
Playoff hopes are dwindling, but the Flames have shown more promise than initially anticipated.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (April 5), @ SJ (April 7), @ ANA (April 9)
17. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.0%
Projected points: 99.5
Points pace: 88.6
The Canucks` descent from division leaders to playoff outsiders would be a bigger story if not for other high-profile team struggles.
Next seven days: vs. ANA (April 5), vs. VGK (April 6), @ DAL (April 8), @ COL (April 10)
18. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.0%
Projected points: 76.5
Points pace: 87.5
Contrary to predictions, the Canadiens are ahead of the Red Wings and Sabres in the wild-card race.
Next seven days: vs. PHI (April 5), @ NSH (April 6), vs. DET (April 8)
19. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.6%
Projected points: 87.5
Points pace: 87.5
In their inaugural NHL season, Utah is surprisingly in playoff contention.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (April 5), vs. SEA (April 8), vs. NSH (April 10)
20. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.7%
Projected points: 100.5
Points pace: 86.4
Despite falling short of expectations, the Rangers are still in the wild-card mix, overshadowed by worse outcomes for other preseason favorites.
Next seven days: @ NJ (April 5), vs. TB (April 7), vs. PHI (April 9), @ NYI (April 10)
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.0%
Projected points: 69.5
Points pace: 86.5
Projected near the bottom, the Blue Jackets are unexpectedly in the playoff hunt late in the season.
Next seven days: @ TOR (April 5), @ OTT (April 6), vs. OTT (April 8), vs. BUF (April 10)
22. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.7%
Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 83.1
Red Wings fans` playoff anticipation continues, but 2025 is looking less likely to be the year.
Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 4), vs. FLA (April 6), @ MTL (April 8), @ FLA (April 10)
23. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.0%
Projected points: 91.5
Points pace: 82.0
The Islanders` knack for just making the playoffs is being tested as time runs out this season.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (April 4), vs. WSH (April 6), @ NSH (April 8), vs. NYR (April 10)
24. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 49.3%
Projected points: 72.5
Points pace: 82.0
Out of playoff contention, the Ducks have still outperformed preseason expectations by around 10 points.
Next seven days: @ VAN (April 5), vs. EDM (April 7), vs. CGY (April 9), @ LA (April 10)
25. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 47.4%
Projected points: 90.5
Points pace: 77.6
A late push might not be enough for the Penguins to avoid missing the playoffs for a third straight year.
Next seven days: @ DAL (April 5), @ CHI (April 6), vs. CHI (April 8)
26. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 47.3%
Projected points: 88.5
Points pace: 77.6
The Sabres` playoff drought extends to 14 seasons for 2024-25.
Next seven days: vs. TB (April 5), vs. BOS (April 6), vs. CAR (April 8), @ CBJ (April 10)
27. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 46.7%
Projected points: 85.5
Points pace: 76.6
After a late-season fade in 2023-24, the Flyers` struggles this season led to a coaching change.
Next seven days: @ MTL (April 5), @ NYR (April 9)
28. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.1%
Projected points: 87.5
Points pace: 75.5
The Kraken`s second-round playoff appearance in 2023 appears to be an exception, not the norm for the young franchise.
Next seven days: @ SJ (April 5), @ LA (April 7), @ UTA (April 8), @ VGK (April 10)
29. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 45.4%
Projected points: 99.5
Points pace: 75.4
The Bruins, with a significant negative goal differential, are clearly in need of offseason adjustments.
Next seven days: vs. CAR (April 5), @ BUF (April 6), @ NJ (April 8), vs. CHI (April 10)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 40.8%
Projected points: 98.5
Points pace: 67.8
Despite an offseason spending spree, the Predators have been eliminated from playoff contention, highlighting the unpredictability of offseason victories.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (April 6), vs. NYI (April 8), @ UTA (April 10)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 34.7%
Projected points: 73.5
Points pace: 56.9
If the Blackhawks` goal was to secure a high draft pick to complement Bedard, they are on track for mission success.
Next seven days: @ WSH (April 4), vs. PIT (April 6), @ PIT (April 8), @ BOS (April 10)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.3%
Projected points: 63.5
Points pace: 55.4
While there are positive signs for the Sharks, they are likely to fall short of their projected point total. Could significant changes be coming this offseason?
Next seven days: vs. SEA (April 5), vs. CGY (April 7), @ MIN (April 9)
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley