NHL Power Rankings: Latest updated poll, plus each team’s strength of schedule
There are fewer than three weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NHL regular season, which ends April 17.
The races for playoff spots and seeding continue to be waged, and the opponents on each club’s remaining schedule can be a differentiating factor.
This week, along with an updated set of Power Rankings, we’ll also examine each team’s strength of schedule, courtesy of Stathletes.
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, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published March 21. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.5%
Strength of schedule: 46.2%, 29th. As Alex Ovechkin chases Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record, the Caps appear to be well-positioned to maintain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference based on their remaining schedule.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 30), @ BOS (April 1), @ CAR (April 2)
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.8%
Strength of schedule: 50.6%, 14th. The Jets’ spot atop the Western Conference appears reasonably secure, but there’s still the matter of the Presidents’ Trophy as the league’s top team in the standings. And based purely on relative strength of schedule, the Capitals have the upper hand.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 28), vs. VAN (March 30), @ LA (April 1), @ VGK (April 3)
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 68.1%
Strength of schedule: 47.9%, 25th. There is a small but non-zero chance that the Stars catch the Jets for the Central Division’s No. 1 seed, and they’ve got the strength of schedule (or lack thereof) down the stretch to pull it off.
Next seven days: @ SEA (March 29), @ SEA (March 31), vs. NSH (April 3)
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.2%
Strength of schedule: 48.1%, 23rd. Although the Golden Knights’ most memorable move at the trade deadline was a social media post, they simply keep chugging along atop the division, a fact that is unlikely to change given the games remaining on the schedule.
Next seven days: @ CHI (March 28), @ NSH (March 29), vs. EDM (April 1), vs. WPG (April 3)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 63.4%
Strength of schedule: 48.6%, 21st. The Canes are rolling toward another playoff berth, and it’s overwhelmingly likely they’ll do so as the Metro Division’s No. 2 seed.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 28), vs. NYI (March 30), vs. WSH (April 2)
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.7%
Strength of schedule: 50.2%, 16th. A first-round matchup with the Stars — where they’ll square off with old friend Mikko Rantanen — seems all but destined; it’s just a matter of which team gets home-ice advantage.
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 29), vs. CGY (March 31), @ CHI (April 2), @ CBJ (April 3)
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.7%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 10th. Can the Kings catch the Knights for the division crown? Not likely, at least according to their relative strengths of schedule.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (March 29), vs. SJ (March 30), vs. WPG (April 1), @ UTA (April 3)
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 62.7%
Strength of schedule: 50.2%, 17th. Of the three teams battling for the Atlantic Division crown, the Panthers have the most challenging schedule down the homestretch.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (March 28), vs. MTL (March 30), @ MTL (April 1), @ TOR (April 2)
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.5%
Strength of schedule: 49.9%, 19th. Which first-round opponent would the Maple Leafs prefer? A division title likely gets them a Battle of Ontario showdown with the Senators, while slipping to second (or third) gets them one of the Florida teams.
Next seven days: @ LA (March 29), @ ANA (March 30), vs. FLA (April 2)
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 60.4%
Strength of schedule: 49.9%, 20th. The bad news for Oilers fans is that their chances of a division title are slipping by the day (and it doesn’t help that the Golden Knights’ strength of schedule is even easier than theirs). The good news is that the team appears destined for another first-round matchup against the Kings, whom the Oilers have beaten in three straight opening-round series.
Next seven days: vs. CGY (March 29), @ VGK (April 1), @ SJ (April 3)
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.8%
Strength of schedule: 48.4%, 22nd. The top three of the Atlantic Division appear all but set; it’s just a matter of seeding — and the Lightning happen to have the easiest final stretch of the three teams involved.
Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 29), @ NYI (April 1), @ OTT (April 3)
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.4%
Strength of schedule: 52.8%, 5th. A defiant Jordan Binnington backstopped Canada to 4 Nations Face-Off glory, and his NHL club has charged into playoff position after a mushy first half. Can the Blues hold off the Canucks and Flames?
Next seven days: @ COL (March 29), vs. DET (April 1), vs. PIT (April 3)
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.6%
Strength of schedule: 47.4%, 26th. Although the Wild have been a bit wobbly in recent weeks, their strong start might have given them enough of a buffer to hold off the competition, particularly given the relative ease of their final stretch.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 29), @ NJ (March 31), @ NYR (April 2)
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 56.9%
Strength of schedule: 44.8%, 32nd. Some team had to have the easiest schedule from here on out, and the Devils get the nod. That’s good, because thanks to a rash of injuries to key players, they’ll take any edge they can get to hold on to a playoff spot.
Next seven days: @ WPG (March 28), @ MIN (March 29), vs. MIN (March 31)
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.0%
Strength of schedule: 47.3%, 27th. The Senators stuck to their strategy of a slow build — without the splashy moves of some other Ontario-based teams — and it has resulted in the team being in playoff position as we head into April, a trend that should continue based on the club’s remaining slate.
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (March 29), @ PIT (March 30), vs. BUF (April 1), vs. TB (April 3)
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.6%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 9th. If the Flames are going to make a run into playoff position, they’re going to have to beat some very good teams to get there.
Next seven days: @ EDM (March 29), @ COL (March 31), @ UTA (April 1), vs. ANA (April 3)
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.6%
Strength of schedule: 52.6%, 6th. The reigning Pacific Division champs will need to go on a heater — and get some help with other playoff bubble teams losing — in order to make it back to the tournament.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 28), @ WPG (March 30), vs. SEA (April 2)
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 52.8%
Strength of schedule: 50.3%, 15th. Is playoff hockey finally coming back to la belle province? The Habs face a medium-strength schedule down the stretch, slightly more difficult than the Rangers’ and Blue Jackets’ but easier than the Islanders’.
Next seven days: @ CAR (March 28), @ FLA (March 30), vs. FLA (April 1), vs. BOS (April 3)
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 52.3%, 8th. The fact that the UHC is still alive in the playoff race this late in the season is good for the young roster and for the fans who get to see meaningful hockey. But it’s definitely an uphill climb to earn a spot in the postseason.
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 28), @ CHI (March 30), vs. CGY (April 1), vs. LA (April 3)
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 54.1%, 1st. The Isles might yet overtake the field to grab one of the Eastern wild cards. But it certainly won’t be an easy path, given the teams on their schedule.
Next seven days: @ TB (March 29), @ CAR (March 30), vs. TB (April 1)
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 51.4%
Strength of schedule: 51.6%, 13th. Uninspired play as of late has diminished the Blueshirts’ chances at a playoff return (after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season). But the road to a postseason berth has not been closed completely.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 28), @ SJ (March 29), vs. MIN (April 2)
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.1%
Strength of schedule: 51.6%, 12th. The day after the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets held the first wild-card spot in the East. They have tumbled since then, but the door to the postseason remains slightly ajar.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (March 28), @ OTT (March 29), vs. NSH (April 1), vs. COL (April 3)
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.0%
Strength of schedule: 53.5%, 4th. It would appear at this point that Hockeytown’s faithful will need to wait ’til next year to see the Wings back in the postseason.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 29), @ STL (April 1)
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.6%
Strength of schedule: 46.1%, 30th. If only the Penguins had won a few more games earlier in the season, a strength of schedule like this would have been quite useful to author a thrilling run into a playoff spot. Alas.
Next seven days: vs. OTT (March 30), @ STL (April 3)
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 47.3%
Strength of schedule: 46.5%, 28th. Boston’s playoff hopes weren’t entirely sealed by Don Sweeney’s trade deadline moves, but the team’s results thereafter ensure it will be picking in (or near) the top 10 this summer.
Next seven days: @ DET (March 29), vs. WSH (April 1), @ MTL (April 3)
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 49.3%
Strength of schedule: 50.0%, 18th. The Ducks’ youthful roster made some progress this season, but they will be in the draft lottery again.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 28), vs. TOR (March 30), vs. SJ (April 1), @ CGY (April 3)
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.6%
Strength of schedule: 53.5%, 3rd. The first season of the Dan Bylsma era of Kraken hockey didn’t go as well as planned. Based on that opposing win percentage, it looks like a few more L’s will be added before Game No. 82.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 29), vs. DAL (March 31), @ VAN (April 2)
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 43.1%
Strength of schedule: 54.1%, 2nd. Things haven’t gone the Predators’ way this season, and they’re certainly a team to watch for changes this summer.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (March 29), @ PHI (March 31), @ CBJ (April 1), @ DAL (April 3)
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 45.3%
Strength of schedule: 46.0%, 31st. Interim coach Brad Shaw will have a chance to post a strong record down the stretch here given the Flyers’ schedule. Will he earn a promotion to long-term status?
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 29), vs. NSH (March 31)
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 46.5%
Strength of schedule: 52.5%, 7th. The Sabres did not rock the boat with any major moves this past offseason, and the trade deadline brought about one essentially lateral move. As they approach their 14th straight playoff-less spring, are more substantial changes on the way this time?
Next seven days: @ PHI (March 29), @ WSH (March 30), @ OTT (April 1)
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.4%
Strength of schedule: 51.7%, 11th. The Blackhawks and Sharks are battling it out for the NHL’s worst record and the best chances at getting the No. 1 pick via the draft lottery.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (March 28), vs. UTAH (March 30), vs. COL (April 2)
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 34.5%
Strength of schedule: 48.0%, 24th. In the race to the bottom of the standings — but top of the draft lottery rankings — the Sharks’ strength of schedule is quite a bit easier than the Blackhawks’.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 29), @ LA (March 30), @ ANA (April 1), vs. EDM (April 3)
The 150th running of the Preakness won’t have the fanfare of previous years.
There will be no Triple Crown on the line and no rematch of the 1-2 finishers in the Kentucky Derby after trainer Bill Mott elected to point Sovereignty toward the Belmont and bypass the Preakness.
Just three horses who ran in the Kentucky Derby will run in the Preakness on Saturday — Journalism, who finished second to Sovereignty, American Promise (16th) and Sandman (seventh). Nine horses will enter the race, including several newcomers to the Triple Crown trail.
Top storylines
While a Kentucky Derby winner skipping the Preakness is a rarity over the history of the race, it’s become more common in recent years. Country House, who won the 2019 Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security was disqualified, was not entered into the race by Mott due to a cough. Other ailments ended his career early and he never raced again.
Rich Strike was not entered in the 2022 Preakness and neither was 2021 winner Mandaloun, who was not declared the official winner of the Kentucky Derby until Medina Spirit was officially disqualified after failing a postrace drug test.
The modern order of the Triple Crown races, with the Kentucky Derby first and the Belmont last, was established permanently in 1932, with some exceptions. Notable Kentucky Derby winners who skipped the second leg are: Grindstone (1996, career-ending injury), Spend a Buck (1985), Gato Del Sol (1982), Tomy Lee (1959), Swaps (1955), Determine (1954), Hill Gail (1952), Count Turf (1951) and Lawrin (1938).
This will be the final Preakness run at Pimlico for several years, as the 155-year-old track is set to undergo renovations for the next several years, including the replacement of the current grandstand for a smaller version. The Preakness will move to Laurel Park until renovations are complete.
Betting the Preakness
by Katherine Terrell
What’s the big draw now that the Kentucky Derby winner is out of the race? Journalism, who went off as the betting favorite in the race, gets a chance for redemption.
While putting Journalism on top of our Kentucky Derby bets didn’t quite pan out, he’s certainly going to be a worthy, and heavy, favorite in this race. Don’t take his second-place finish as a knock on his talent — he’s the most accomplished horse in this field.
What about Sandman, who drew significant attention in the Kentucky Derby due to his name? Sandman was named after the Metallica Song “Enter Sandman,” and the band recently posted a video cheering him on ahead of the Preakness.
Sandman’s trainer Mark Casse said the horse had tender feet going into his last race, causing him to sport glue-on shoes, but he has since been switched back to normal horseshoes. Sandman is a closer, meaning he would need a fast pace up front to be able to pass tiring horses and win this race.
Some of the more intriguing newcomers are Goal Oriented, trained by Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen trainee Clever Again. Both are lightly raced, and bettors who are looking for better odds than Journalism provides might hope one of these two horses takes a step forward.
That’s the same situation as Gosger, who is 20-1 on the morning line but recently won the Grade III Lexington Stakes. He will also have to take a step forward or hope Journalism runs poorly off two weeks rest.
Journalism can sit back off the pace and hope the leaders get into a speed duel, a possibility with a lot of speed in the race. Either way, he’ll be a tough favorite to bet.
About the above chart: A Beyer number is a ratings system for speed during races. Some think horses need at least one race where they run a 95 Beyer number or over to be competitive in the Derby. Many of these horses have races where they’ve run over a 100 Beyer number or better.
The logical bet: Journalism to win (8-5) but will require a large bet to get a decent return.
The slightly better odds bet: Clever Again to win (5-1)
Two suggested bets:
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Exacta box: Journalism/Clever Again
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Trifecta: Journalism over Clever Again over River Thames, Gosger.
Best plays
by Anita Marks
No. 2 Journalism (8-5) is favored and rightfully so. He ran a great race in the Derby, but Sovereignty was just the better horse that day. With such a small field (nine horses), along with his pedigree, Journalism should dominate.
Other horses I fancy in the Preakness:
Clever Again (5-1) is a unique animal with a lot of talent. I believe he is the second-best horse in the race. Son of American Pharaoh — who won the Triple Crown — and trained by Steve Asmussen, an excellent trainer. He is super fast, is in great form and is training well.
Goal Oriented (6-1): A Bob Baffert horse. and will have one of the best jockeys on his back in Flavien Prat. He has the speed to come out of the No. 1 post and will be sent hard. Son of Not This Time and was the winner of a 1 1/16-mile race on the Kentucky Derby undercard. This will be his third race.
Preakness Plays:
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To win or place: Clever Again
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Exacta box: Goal Oriented, Journalism, Clever Again
After building a 2-0 lead on the Florida Panthers in their second-round series, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now down 3-2 leading into Friday’s Game 6 (8 p.m. ET, TNT).
Will this be the final game of the Maple Leafs’ season? Or will they force a Game 7 on Sunday?
Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, a recap of what went down in Thursday’s games and the three stars of Thursday from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Game 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT
With the Panthers up 3-2 in the series, ESPN BET now lists them as -800 to win this series, with the Maple Leafs at +500. Florida’s Stanley Cup odds are now +300, while Toronto’s are +2500.
The Panthers are 5-1 all time when leading 3-2 in a seven-game series. The only loss came in the 2012 playoffs against the Devils. The Maple Leafs are 6-18 all time when trailing a series 3-2.
In Game 5, 14 different Panthers registered points, which is the most players to do so in a single playoff game in franchise history. Florida has had 17 different players score a goal this postseason, which breaks a single-postseason franchise record set in 1996.
With his fourth multipoint game of the playoffs, the Panthers’ Sam Reinhart is one of six players to hit that benchmark in the 2025 playoffs.
The Panthers have not trailed for 170:10 of game time since Carter Verhaeghe‘s tying goal 5:17 into the second period of Game 3.
Toronto’s Auston Matthews has zero goals in his past five games, which ties the longest goalless drought of his playoff career (other occurrences were in 2021 and 2023).
Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is likely out for Game 6, turning the crease back over to Joseph Woll, who gave up five goals on 25 shots in Game 5.
Öcal’s three stars from Thursday
The likely Vezina Trophy winner made 22 saves in a 4-0 win, which is his second straight home shutout in this series.
Scheifele scored the opening goal in Game 5 and added an assist on Nikolaj Ehlers‘ power-play goal in the second. He now has three goals in potential elimination games, which is the most in Thrashers/Jets 2.0 franchise history.
Andersen has been great for the Canes. He gave up just one goal on 19 shots in the series-clinching win over the Capitals, and allowed just six goals total in the Hurricanes’ five games against Washington.
Thursday’s recaps
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Washington Capitals 1
CAR wins 4-1, plays winner of TOR-FLA
With a spot in the Eastern Conference finals on the line for Carolina — and a continuation to at least Game 6 the motivation for the Capitals — the two teams battled in an inspired contest. Canes captain Jordan Staal got on the board first, but Washington’s Anthony Beauvillier answered four minutes later. The teams remained tied 1-1 until less than two minutes remaining when Andrei Svechnikov fired one past Logan Thompson. With the net empty, the Caps could not get the equalizer, and Seth Jarvis sealed the deal with an empty-netter with 27 seconds to play. Carolina now awaits the winner of Maple Leafs-Panthers in the conference finals. Full recap.
0:38
Seth Jarvis’ goal secures series win for Canes
Seth Jarvis notches a clutch goal to to secure the series win over the Capitals.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 0
DAL leads 3-2 | Game 6 Saturday
Needing a win to remain alive, the Jets got an emphatic one, backstopped by a 22-save shutout by Connor Hellebuyck. Mark Scheifele got Winnipeg on the board first, with his fourth goal of the playoffs at 6:17 of the second period. Nikolaj Ehlers added a power-play tally 2:20 into the third, with Vladislav Namestnikov joining the party at 12:07. With the net empty for Dallas, Ehlers added an empty-netter to cap things off and send Winnipeg fans home happy. Dallas has another chance to finish the series off at home Saturday — if not, Game 7 will be Monday, back in Winnipeg. Full recap.
0:42
Nikolaj Ehlers’ empty-netter secures Game 5 for the Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers scores the game-sealing empty-netter to secure the Game 5 win for the Jets over the Stars.
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