There are fewer than 14 days left in the 2025-26 NHL regular season, and each team has fewer than 10 games remaining.
Each game on the slate takes on additional importance, but there are specific matchups that will have an outsized impact on the playoff races (and the draft lottery standings).
As part of this week’s updated set of ESPN NHL Power Rankings, we’ve identified the most important game left for all 32 teams.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, March 27. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 73.0%
April 4 at the Stars. The Avs were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and are likely to earn the No. 1 overall seed. The Stars are the next closest team in the West, and a win here would push the Avs that much closer to their ultimate regular-season goal.
Next seven days: @ DAL (April 4), vs. STL (April 5), @ STL (April 7), vs. CGY (April 9)
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 68.0%
April 7 vs. the Bruins. The Canes and Bruins waged a seven-game battle in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, and could meet again in the first round if things fall a certain way in the final stretch.
Next seven days: vs. NYI (April 4), @ OTT (April 5), vs. BOS (April 7), @ CHI (April 9)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 65.8%
April 6 vs. the Lightning. The Sabres’ 8-7 win over the Lightning on March 8 put them in first place — and helped put the league on notice. With the Atlantic Division crown still up for grabs, expect this final regular-season matchup to be just as spirited.
Next seven days: @ WSH (April 4), vs. TB (April 6), @ NYR (April 8), vs. CBJ (April 9)
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 67.1%
April 9 vs. the Wild. It’s possible (though unlikely) that the Wild can catch the Stars and thus earn home-ice advantage in their (likely) first-round series. But Dallas won’t want to take any chances, and this game could include some “message sending” as well.
Next seven days: vs. COL (April 4), vs. CGY (April 7), vs. MIN (April 9)
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.7%
April 9 vs. the Canadiens. Although the division title is yet to be determined, the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic is poised to square off against the Canadiens. If it ends up being Tampa Bay-Montreal in the first round (a rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final), this game will serve as a preview.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (April 4), @ BUF (April 6), @ OTT (April 7), @ MTL (April 9)
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 65.3%
April 11 vs. the Blue Jackets. The Habs finish their Atlantic Division schedule with a homestand against the Devils, Panthers and Lightning from April 5-9, then face three Metro Division teams to close things out. Depending how they’ve done to that point, these might be critical matchups in holding on to their position in the East.
Next seven days: @ NJ (April 4), vs. NJ (April 5), vs. FLA (April 7), vs. TB (April 9)
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 64.0%
April 9 at the Stars. The Wild have faced the Stars in the playoffs twice (2016 and 2023), and both were 4-2 series wins for Dallas. Will this most likely of first-round series in 2026 go differently?
Next seven days: @ OTT (April 4), @ DET (April 5). Vs. SEA (April 7), @ DAL (April 9)
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 60.5%
April 11, 12 vs. and at the Capitals. We don’t know for sure if this is Alex Ovechkin‘s last NHL season — but it’s possible that these two games will be the final times that Sidney Crosby faces off against his longtime rival.
Next seven days: vs. FLA (April 4), vs. FLA (April 5), @ NJ (April 9)
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.8%
April 11 vs. the Lightning. Given how tight the standings are, this matchup will mean a great deal in seeding for both teams in the final bracket — and in one possible future world, will be a prelude to a first-round clash.
Next seven days: @ TB (April 4), @ PHI (April 5), @ CAR (April 7)
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 57.9%
April 7 at the Red Wings. The Blue Jackets’ remaining schedule is stacked with potential playoff teams, and that includes this matchup against one of the clubs attempting to chase them down for a wild-card spot.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (April 4), @ DET (April 7), @ BUF (April 9)
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 58.7%
April 11 at the Islanders. For a team on the outside looking in at the playoffs, every game matters — but matchups against teams battling for the same playoff spots matter more.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (April 4), vs. CAR (April 5), vs. TB (April 7), vs. FLA (April 9)
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.0%
April 9 vs. the Sharks. The Ducks appear likely to make the playoffs this season, sitting atop the Pacific Division, making this in-state rivalry game a vital one to perhaps put the finishing touches on clinching.
Next seven days: vs. STL (April 3), vs. CGY (April 4), vs. NSH (April 7), vs. SJ (April 9)
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 58.6%
April 14 vs. the Hurricanes. With a logjam in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, the races might not be over until the final days of the season. This matchup is the last one on the schedule for the Isles, skating against a team whose playoff fate might well be sealed long before opening puck drop.
Next seven days: vs. PHI (April 3), @ CAR (April 4), vs. TOR (April 9)
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 57.2%
April 13 vs. the Avalanche. This hasn’t been the most consistent or excellent season in recent history for Edmonton. But it does appear they’ll qualify for the playoffs, and this penultimate game of their regular-season slate might serve as a barometer of how serious a challenger they are to return to the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight year.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (April 4), @ UTA (April 7), @ SJ (April 8)
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.7%
All of them. At various points this season, it appeared that the Red Wings would be ending their long playoff drought, bringing playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time in building history. A 5-7-2 month of March has put that notion in peril, and Detroit will not only need to go on a heater, but also get help to get back in the playoff circle.
Next seven days: @ NYR (April 4), vs. MIN (April 5), vs. CBJ (April 7), vs. PHI (April 9)
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 57.3%
April 3 at the Islanders. The Flyers have two pathways to the playoffs: one of the Eastern Conference wild cards, or a seed in the Metro Division. They play the Canadiens, Bruins and Red Wings in the final stretch — all of whom are potentially vying for those wild cards — but this matchup against the Isles would result in a four-point swing if they win in regulation over the current No. 3 seed in the Metro.
Next seven days: @ NYI (April 3), vs. BOS (April 5), @ NJ (April 7), @ DET (April 9)
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.9%
April 14 at the Blue Jackets. Nothing has been announced yet, but as alluded to above, there is a chance that this is Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season. If so, this game would be the final chance for fans to see him on the ice in a Capitals jersey.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (April 4), @ NYR (April 5), @ TOR (April 8)
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 56.0%
April 7 vs. the Oilers. The way that the bracket is lining up, the Mammoth will take on the Ducks in the first round. If they win that series, they’ll face the winner of the Pacific Division’s 2 vs. 3 matchup, which could very well be the Oilers.
Next seven days: @ VAN (April 4), vs. EDM (April 7), vs. NSH (April 9)
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 55.3%
April 11 at the Avalanche. Much like the Oilers — their likely first-round opponent — the Knights have their sights set on the biggest of prizes. That could mean a Western Conference finals showdown with the Avalanche, whom they’ll face one final time in the regular season.
Next seven days: @ EDM (April 4), @ VAN (April 7), @ SEA (April 9)
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 53.3%
April 7 vs. the Flyers. Thanks to some poor results earlier in the season, the Devils are now long shots to qualify for the playoffs, meaning they can relish spoiling things for teams that do have a chance — such as the Flyers, their I-95 rivals.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (April 4), @ MTL (April 5), vs. PHI (April 7), vs. PIT (April 9)
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.7%
April 6 vs. the Predators. After a shootout loss to Nashville on Thursday, this next matchup will be the Kings’ final chance to do some damage against the Preds, against whom they are vying for the final playoff position.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (April 4), vs. NSH (April 6), vs. VAN (April 9)
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 52.7%
April 13 vs. the Sharks. The Preds have the aforementioned game against the Kings, and will also play the Sharks on Saturday. But the way this season is going, the standings might still be unresolved by the season’s final days, making the penultimate game of Nashville’s season extra important.
Next seven days: @ SJ (April 4), @ LA (April 6), @ ANA (April 7), @ UTA (April 9)
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 53.4%
April 15 at the Blackhawks. The Sharks and Blackhawks entered the season on somewhat parallel tracks: eyeing the end of a rebuild, led by a recent No. 1 pick. San Jose has leveled up, and this — its second-to-last game of the season — might have a playoff berth on the line, while Chicago remains high in the mix for the draft lottery.
Next seven days: vs. NSH (April 4), vs. CHI (April 6), vs. EDM (April 8), @ ANA (April 9)
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.7%
April 16 vs. the Sharks. A stretch of 23 games from Nov. 21 through Jan. 8 that included only three wins probably sunk the Jets’ playoff hopes this season, but in the event that they hang within range by the last day of the season, this game against San Jose will obviously be the most important for Winnipeg.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (April 9), vs. SEA (April 6), @ STL (April 9)
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 51.3%
April 11 at the Maple Leafs. With injuries to critical players for both clubs, it’s looking more likely that a late-season matchup between these two will be more about draft lottery positioning than anything else.
Next seven days: @ PIT (April 4), @ PIT (April 5), @ MTL (April 7), @ OTT (April 9)
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 50.7%
April 15 at the Senators. As Leafs management figures out who will be making the big decisions on the roster this summer, there are six games remaining to play. Though the Leafs won’t be returning to the postseason, this Battle of Ontario matchup could very well influence whether the Sens do.
Next seven days: @ LA (April 4), vs. WSH (April 8), @ NYI (April 9)
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50.7%
April 13 vs. the Kings. The Kraken remain on the fringes of the playoff mix in the West, and though they have some juggernauts on the remaining slate (Colorado, Vegas twice and Minnesota), this game against L.A. can directly influence their chances for the second wild card.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (April 4), @ WPG (April 6), @ MIN (April 7), @ MIN (April 9)
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 50.0%
April 11 at the Blackhawks. There was a time fairly recently when a late-season matchup between the Blues and Blackhawks would be all about playoff positioning — or perhaps sending a message if the clubs were set to battle in the first round. It’s a little different this season, as this game will be more impactful on the draft lottery.
Next seven days: @ ANA (April 3), @ COL (April 5), vs. COL (April 7), vs. WPG (April 9)
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 46.7%
April 4, 5 vs. the Red Wings, Capitals. The Rangers are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. But they’re still playing spirited hockey; to wit, franchise goalie Igor Shesterkin got in a fight this week. And for teams that are out, it’s time to spoil some dreams, and New York can do just that against the playoff hopeful Wings and Caps.
Next seven days: vs. DET (April 4), vs. WSH (April 5), vs. BUF (April 8)
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 46.7%
April 14 vs. the Avalanche. This will not be the first time that the Flames played against former teammate Nazem Kadri, who was traded to Colorado on March 6. But this will be his first game back in Calgary.
Next seven days: @ ANA (April 4), @ DAL (April 7), @ COL (April 9)
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 44.7%
April 13 vs. the Sabres. These late-season interconference matchups don’t mean a ton when one team is miles clear of a playoff spot. But for Chicago, this is a chance to see what a formerly rebuilding team now looks like, so maybe it’ll serve as inspiration for 2026-27.
Next seven days: @ SEA (April 4), @ SJ (April 6), vs. CAR (April 9)
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 34.7%
April 16 at the Oilers. The Canucks are on the verge of clinching the worst record in the league for 2025-26, and the best chances to win the draft lottery and select Gavin McKenna. For their on-ice swan song for the season, they’ll get another look at a franchise that was transformed by another No. 1 pick.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (April 4), vs. VGK (April 7), @ LA (April 9)
