Who is this year's bracket buster?

Clark, +2 MoreNHL Power Rankings: A pickup from each team for the fantasy hockey playoffsAnaheim Ducks4dSean Allen and Victoria MatiashAvalanche now unbeatable
East contenders whiffed big-time
(1:19)ESPN staffMar 16, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintMonday is a big day
The NHL is one month away from the end of the regular season
Because it's 3/16, that is also Stone Cold Steve Austin Day for the many who celebrate.But because March 15 was Selection Sunday for the NCAA basketball tournaments, that means many sports fans will be quite preoccupied with filling out their brackets and perhaps finding some bracket busters to aid their chances at winning their pools.The Stanley Cup playoffs are no stranger to Cinderella teams; the Florida Panthers were the final team in the postseason in 2023 -- and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final
Do any of this season's potential wild cards have such a run in them?The Boston Bruins hold the East's first wild-card spot heading into Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m
If they finish in that position, they'll take on the division champ with the lower point total.The Bruins are 2-1-0 against the Buffalo Sabres, their current first-round matchup.Boston has had less luck against the Tampa Bay Lightning, going 0-1-1 so far, with two games remaining against them.If the standings fall in a way that the Carolina Hurricanes are Boston's first opponent, they have gone 1-1-0 vs
that club, with one game remaining.Currently holding down the second wild-card spot are the Detroit Red Wings, who have losing records against Carolina (1-2-0), Buffalo (0-1-1, with a game remaining) and Tampa Bay (1-2-0, with a game remaining).Right behind the Red Wings are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have a winning record against Buffalo (2-0-0, with one game remaining) and Tampa Bay (3-0-0)
The Blue Jackets lost their only game to the Canes thus far (back on Dec
9), but play them again three times in the final stretch of the season
Fans in Western New York and Central Florida might be a little queasy about drawing Columbus in the first round.Among the Bruins, Red Wings and Blue Jackets, Columbus has the highest chances of making the second round (57.0%), conference finals (25.4%), Cup Final (12.1%) and winning it all (6.0%), according to Stathletes.In the Western half of the bracket, the team that earns the first wild-card position would appear to have a significantly easier track ahead, as it will likely face the Pacific Division winner instead of the Central's
Currently, the top three teams in the Pacific range from 73 to 76 standings points, while their Central counterparts are from 88 to 97, led by the juggernaut Colorado Avalanche.The San Jose Sharks hold the second wild card heading into Monday's games
They have one win and two losses this season against Colorado.Next up are the Seattle Kraken, who do have a game left against Colorado but lost their previous two against the Avs.The Los Angeles Kings are another possibility for the second wild card but have lost all three of their games against Colorado.Can the first wild card make a run through the Pacific teams
Right now, that top wild-card position is in possession of the Utah Mammoth.They have gone 1-1-0 against the Vegas Golden Knights thus far, with one game remaining, this Thursday.Utah's record against the Anaheim Ducks is 1-0-1, with their final game against the Ducks the very next night.The Mammoth lost their only game thus far against the Edmonton Oilers but play them twice in the remaining month.Stathletes gives Utah the best chance of making a run among that quartet of teams: 46.5% to make the second round, 25.2% to make the conference finals, 13.0% to make the Cup Final and 6.3% to win it all.Every team has around 15 games remaining before the regular season concludes April 16, and we'll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day
As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Last night's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No
1 pickCurrent playoff matchupsEastern ConferenceA1 Buffalo Sabres vs
WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs
A3 Montreal CanadiensM1 Carolina Hurricanes vs
WC2 Detroit Red Wings
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs
M3 New York IslandersWestern ConferenceC1 Colorado Avalanche vs
WC2 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs
C3 Minnesota WildP1 Anaheim Ducks vs
WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Vegas Golden Knights vs
P3 Edmonton OilersToday's gamesNote: All times ET
All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).Calgary Flames at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.

Boston Bruins at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m
(ESPN)
Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.

Utah Mammoth at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m
(ESPN)Last night's scoreboardWinnipeg Jets 3, St
NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 27St
FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 9Race for the No
1 pickThe NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No
As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No
Full details on the process can be found here
Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.1