The Columbus Blue Jackets demonstrated a formidable resolve in their quest to secure a berth in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. While ultimately unsuccessful, they engaged in crucial hockey contests throughout April. Pundits prior to the season had not largely envisioned such an outcome this spring, given the team’s projected over/under point tally of 84.5.
Nevertheless, with over a month remaining, they find themselves deeply involved in the contention for a place within the Eastern Conference postseason bracket, poised to surpass that initial point projection with relative ease.
Columbus is set to host the Los Angeles Kings for an afternoon showdown on Monday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN+). They commence this game three points adrift of the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card position, five points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the premier wild card, and four points in arrears of the New York Islanders for the third spot in the Metro Division.
Following Monday’s encounter with the Kings, the Blue Jackets have 19 fixtures left on their schedule. A challenging aspect is that 12 of these 19 matches are against squads currently occupying playoff berths, rendering their remaining schedule among the most demanding. Conversely, this also presents a positive: those 12 games against playoff-bound teams each represent a “four-point swing opportunity” if they can achieve victory in regulation time.
To date this season, the Blue Jackets have participated in 31 games facing playoff teams, recording a 16-9-6 record in those meetings. Thus, despite a challenging path to the postseason, there is evidence confirming their capability to reach it. Stathletes estimates their prospects at 74.1%, a higher likelihood than some teams presently positioned ahead of them.
Each club has approximately 20 matches remaining before the season concludes on April 16, and we will assist you in tracking all developments here daily on the NHL playoff watch. As we navigate the concluding segment, we will furnish comprehensive details on all playoff contests — alongside the teams vying for advantageous positions in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Notice: Playoff probabilities are sourced from Stathletes.
Advance to:
Current playoff pairings
Sunday’s fixture list
Saturday’s results
Comprehensive standings
Pursuit of the No. 1 pick
Current postseason matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Montreal Canadiens
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Detroit Red Wings
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Boston Bruins
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York Islanders
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Monday’s contests
Notice: All times Eastern Time. Any games not airing on TNT or NHL Network are available for streaming on ESPN+ (local broadcasting restrictions may apply).
Los Angeles Kings at Columbus Blue Jackets, 4 p.m.
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Utah Mammoth at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
Sunday’s scoreboard
Colorado Avalanche 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (SO)
Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Boston Bruins 4 (OT)
Buffalo Sabres 8, Tampa Bay Lightning 7
Dallas Stars 4, Chicago Blackhawks 3 (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 3, New Jersey Devils 0
St. Louis Blues 4, Anaheim Ducks 0
Edmonton Oilers 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2
Expanded league standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 84
Regulation victories: 33
Playoff standing: A1
Games remaining: 18
Points trajectory: 107.6
Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 99.2%
Elimination number: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation victories: 30
Playoff standing: A2
Games remaining: 20
Points trajectory: 108.5
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 99.9%
Elimination number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation victories: 25
Playoff standing: A3
Games remaining: 18
Points trajectory: 101.2
Playoff prospects: 46.3%
Next game: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Elimination number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation victories: 23
Playoff standing: WC1
Games remaining: 20
Points trajectory: 103.2
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 83.9%
Elimination number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation victories: 27
Playoff standing: WC2
Games remaining: 19
Points trajectory: 98.9
Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 75.3%
Elimination number: N/A
Points: 71
Regulation victories: 25
Playoff standing: N/A
Games remaining: 20
Points trajectory: 93.9
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff prospects: 70%
Elimination number: 35
Points: 65
Regulation victories: 25
Playoff standing: N/A
Games remaining: 19
Points trajectory: 84.6
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 3.7%
Elimination number: 27
Points: 65
Regulation victories: 19
Playoff standing: N/A
Games remaining: 18
Points trajectory: 83.3
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff prospects: 0.1%
Elimination number: 25
Metro Division
Points: 86
Regulation victories: 30
**Post-season standing:** M1
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 111.9
**Upcoming contest:** vs. PIT (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 99.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 78
**Victories in regulation time:** 27
**Post-season standing:** M2
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 101.5
**Upcoming contest:** @ CAR (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 57.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 77
**Victories in regulation time:** 23
**Post-season standing:** M3
**Remaining fixtures:** 18
**Projected point total:** 98.7
**Upcoming contest:** @ STL (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 60.7%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 73
**Victories in regulation time:** 22
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 20
**Projected point total:** 96.6
**Upcoming contest:** vs. LA (Monday)
**Probability of qualification:** 74.1%
**Elimination threshold:** 37
**Accumulated points:** 69
**Victories in regulation time:** 19
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 20
**Projected point total:** 91.3
**Upcoming contest:** vs. NYR (Monday)
**Probability of qualification:** 8.2%
**Elimination threshold:** 33
**Accumulated points:** 69
**Victories in regulation time:** 26
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 18
**Projected point total:** 88.4
**Upcoming contest:** vs. CGY (Monday)
**Probability of qualification:** 12.5%
**Elimination threshold:** 29
**Accumulated points:** 66
**Victories in regulation time:** 21
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 18
**Projected point total:** 84.6
**Upcoming contest:** vs. CGY (Thursday)
**Probability of qualification:** 8.2%
**Elimination threshold:** 26
**Accumulated points:** 56
**Victories in regulation time:** 15
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 20
**Projected point total:** 74.1
**Upcoming contest:** @ PHI (Monday)
**Probability of qualification:** ~0%
**Elimination threshold:** 20
Midland Group
**Accumulated points:** 95
**Victories in regulation time:** 38
**Post-season standing:** C1
**Remaining fixtures:** 20
**Projected point total:** 125.7
**Upcoming contest:** vs. EDM (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 99.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 88
**Victories in regulation time:** 31
**Post-season standing:** C2
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 114.5
**Upcoming contest:** vs. VGK (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 99.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 85
**Victories in regulation time:** 24
**Post-season standing:** C3
**Remaining fixtures:** 18
**Projected point total:** 108.9
**Upcoming contest:** vs. UTA (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 99.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 72
**Victories in regulation time:** 26
**Post-season standing:** WC1
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 93.7
**Upcoming contest:** @ CHI (Monday)
**Probability of qualification:** 98.9%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 64
**Victories in regulation time:** 21
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 83.3
**Probability of qualification:** 7.6%
**Upcoming contest:** @ SEA (Tuesday)
**Elimination threshold:** 35
**Accumulated points:** 62
**Victories in regulation time:** 21
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 20
**Projected point total:** 82
**Upcoming contest:** vs. ANA (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 11.4%
**Elimination threshold:** 35
**Accumulated points:** 59
**Victories in regulation time:** 23
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 76.8
**Upcoming contest:** vs. NYI (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 1%
**Elimination threshold:** 30
**Accumulated points:** 57
**Victories in regulation time:** 18
**Post-season standing:** N/A
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 74.2
**Upcoming contest:** @ UTA (Thursday)
**Probability of qualification:** 0.1%
**Elimination threshold:** 29
Western Coast Conference
**Accumulated points:** 73
**Victories in regulation time:** 20
**Post-season standing:** P1
**Remaining fixtures:** 19
**Projected point total:** 95
**Upcoming contest:** @ WPG (Tuesday)
**Probability of qualification:** 97.3%
**Elimination threshold:** N/A
**Accumulated points:** 72
**Victories in regulation time:** 21
Standing in Playoffs: P3
Remaining Matches: 18
Projected Points: 92.3
Next Contest: @ DAL (Tuesday)
Postseason Probability: 97.3%
Elimination Number: N/A
Accumulated Points: 70
Victories in Regulation: 23
Standing in Playoffs: P2
Remaining Matches: 18
Projected Points: 89.7
Next Contest: @ COL (Tuesday)
Postseason Probability: 82.1%
Elimination Number: N/A
Accumulated Points: 67
Victories in Regulation: 23
Standing in Playoffs: WC2
Remaining Matches: 20
Projected Points: 88.6
Next Contest: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Postseason Probability: 23.8%
Elimination Number: N/A
Accumulated Points: 66
Victories in Regulation: 18
Standing in Playoffs: N/A
Remaining Matches: 21
Projected Points: 88.7
Next Contest: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Postseason Probability: 72.1%
Elimination Number: 41
Accumulated Points: 64
Victories in Regulation: 16
Standing in Playoffs: N/A
Remaining Matches: 20
Projected Points: 84.7
Next Contest: @ CBJ (Monday)
Postseason Probability: 8.5%
Elimination Number: 37
Accumulated Points: 57
Victories in Regulation: 21
Standing in Playoffs: N/A
Remaining Matches: 20
Projected Points: 75.4
Next Contest: @ WSH (Monday)
Postseason Probability: 0.1%
Elimination Number: 30
Accumulated Points: 46
Victories in Regulation: 13
Standing in Playoffs: N/A
Remaining Matches: 19
Projected Points: 59.9
Next Contest: vs. OTT (Monday)
Postseason Probability: ~0%
Elimination Number: 17
Contest for the Top Draft Selection
The National Hockey League employs a draft lottery to establish the sequence of the initial round, meaning the squad concluding at the bottom is not assured the primary selection. Commencing in 2021, a club may advance by up to 10 positions if victorious in the lottery; consequently, merely 11 teams qualify for the drawing of the premier pick. Comprehensive information regarding this procedure is accessible at this location. Currently leading the draft rankings for the upcoming summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward from Penn State.
Score Total: 46
Wins During Regulation: 13
Score Total: 56
Wins During Regulation: 15
Score Total: 57
Wins During Regulation: 18
Score Total: 57
Wins During Regulation: 21
Score Total: 59
Wins During Regulation: 23
Score Total: 62
Wins During Regulation: 21
Score Total: 64
Wins During Regulation: 21
Score Total: 64
Wins During Regulation: 16
Score Total: 65
Wins During Regulation: 19
Score Total: 65
Wins During Regulation: 25
Score Total: 66
Wins During Regulation: 21
Score Total: 66
Wins During Regulation: 18
Score Total: 69
Wins During Regulation: 26
Score Total: 69
Wins During Regulation: 19
Score Total: 71
Wins During Regulation: 25
Score Total: 73
Wins During Regulation: 22
*Observe: The Maple Leafs’ draft selection is held by the Bruins, unless it falls within the top five positions.