As the 2024–25 NHL regular season heads into its final stretch, fans and analysts alike are glued to the standings. With playoff positions still in flux, key divisional titles undecided, and record-setting individual performances stealing headlines, the last week of NHL action is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying in recent memory.

This deep-dive breakdown covers everything you need to know: from current standings and clinching scenarios to players on the brink of history and the full picture of what’s still at stake.

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NHL 2025 Final Week Preview: Playoff Races, Division Titles, and Record-Breaking Chases
NHL 2025 Final Week

Final Push for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs

With 12 of 16 playoff spots already locked in, four remain open as the regular season wraps up on Thursday, April 17. Here’s how the final race is playing out in each conference.

Eastern Conference: Wild Cards and Atlantic Power Shift

The Eastern Conference wild-card race is pure chaos.

  • The Montreal Canadiens, sitting at 87 points, are currently holding the second wild-card position. However, their recent 5–2 defeat to Ottawa has kept the door wide open.

  • Detroit Red Wings (85 points) and Columbus Blue Jackets (81 points) are chasing from behind, but a lot depends on Montreal’s ability to close.

  • The Ottawa Senators, although unlikely to make the postseason, are playing spoiler—and doing it well.

Atlantic Division Showdown

One of the tightest divisional battles is in the Atlantic, where three teams are within four points:

  • Toronto Maple Leafs (100 pts) lead, with a balanced offense and steady goaltending from Joseph Woll.

  • Tampa Bay Lightning (98 pts) have surged late in the season, thanks to elite play from Nikita Kucherov, who leads the NHL in points.

  • Florida Panthers (96 pts) can still climb the ranks. Their head-to-head matchup with the Lightning on Tuesday is a must-watch game with divisional implications.

If the Leafs lose two of their last three games, the Atlantic could come down to a three-way tie and go to tiebreakers, shifting home-ice advantage and potentially playoff matchups.

Read more: 2024-25 NHL Hockey Regular Season: Full Schedule, Key Dates, and How to Watch

Western Conference: Division Crowns and Wild Card Scramble

Central Division & Presidents’ Trophy

The Winnipeg Jets are not only trying to win the Central Division—they’re also in the driver's seat for the Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the best regular-season record.

  • At 112 points, Winnipeg needs just one point from their remaining three games to clinch the division.

  • Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is chasing a legacy of his own with 45 wins, just three shy of the NHL single-season record (48). The Jets may rotate him for rest, but if he plays all three remaining games, history could be made.

Pacific Division Scenarios

The Vegas Golden Knights are one win away from locking up the Pacific Division. If they clinch:

  • We’ll get Kings vs. Oilers, Round 4 — a budding playoff rivalry that's been all Edmonton so far.

  • The Los Angeles Kings, though inconsistent, remain dangerous with playoff veterans and a lockdown penalty kill.

The Edmonton Oilers are quietly one of the hottest teams heading into the playoffs. Led by Connor McDavid, they’ve won six of their last seven and could be the most dangerous lower seed in the West.

Wild Card Madness

  • Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues are deadlocked at 93 points.

  • Minnesota holds the edge in tiebreakers and has a game in hand.

  • The Calgary Flames (90 points) still have a slim chance after beating the Wild 4–2. They need help but aren’t out yet.

This race could go down to the final game of the season on Thursday.

Race for the Scoring Title: Kucherov vs. MacKinnon

One of the most anticipated finishes of the season is the battle for the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top point scorer.

  • Nikita Kucherov (116 points) has been dominant all year, combining finesse, vision, and scoring prowess.

  • Nathan MacKinnon (116 points) is currently tied but sat out Thursday due to injury. If he remains sidelined, Kucherov has the inside track—not just because of points, but also because of his higher goal total.

Both players are critical to their teams’ postseason hopes, but their chase for individual glory adds even more intensity to these final matchups.

Player Comebacks & Milestones

Gabriel Landeskog’s Return?

One of the most talked-about storylines is the potential return of Gabriel Landeskog, captain of the Colorado Avalanche. Out since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final due to a knee injury, Landeskog is now on a conditioning stint in the AHL.

If he returns in time for the playoffs, his presence could dramatically alter Colorado’s ceiling.

Hellebuyck’s Historic Season

Aside from chasing the all-time win record, Connor Hellebuyck has been a wall for the Jets:

  • 2.32 GAA

  • .924 SV%

  • 6 shutouts

He’s almost certain to be a Vezina finalist again—and possibly a Hart Trophy candidate.

Key Games to Watch This Week

Here are the can't-miss matchups with playoff implications:

Date Matchup What's at Stake
Tuesday Lightning vs. Panthers Atlantic Division seeding
Wednesday Wild vs. Blues Wild Card positioning
Thursday Senators vs. Maple Leafs Atlantic race and wild-card ripple effects
Thursday Jets vs. Kraken Presidents’ Trophy clinch opportunity
Thursday Canadiens vs. Bruins Montreal’s shot at sealing a wild-card spot

Final Word

From scoring races to playoff chaos to goalie records, the final week of the 2024–25 NHL season has everything. Whether your team is already playoff-bound or clawing for survival, the drama is only just beginning.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are around the corner. But the road to Lord Stanley’s Cup starts right now.

NHL 2025 Playoffs FAQs

Q: When do the 2025 NHL Playoffs start?

A: The playoffs are expected to begin Friday, April 19, 2025, with the exact matchups finalized after the regular season concludes on April 17.

Q: How many games are played in the NHL regular season?

A: Each NHL team plays 82 games from October through April.

Q: What is the Presidents’ Trophy?

A: It’s awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. In 2025, the Winnipeg Jets are the frontrunners.

Q: Who leads the NHL in points?

A: As of now, Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon are tied with 116 points. Kucherov leads in goals, giving him the edge if the tie stands.

Q: Which playoff spots are still undecided?

A: Four playoff spots remain open—two in the East (wild cards) and two in the West (wild cards and Pacific third seed).

Q: Who’s most likely to face off in Round 1?

A: If standings hold:

  • Kings vs. Oilers (Pacific)

  • Stars vs. Avalanche (Central)

  • Hurricanes vs. Devils (already confirmed)

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