2026 NHL Playoffs Picture Forecast, Market Analysis & Predictions

With less than 15 games remaining in the regular season, the race for the Stanley Cup is heating up as only two teams have secured a spot in the playoffs as of writing. Other than the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, the rest of the top contenders are still trying to create space in their respective division standings, potentially coming down to the very end to see who makes it.

While Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Minnesota are next in line to stamp their ticket to the playoffs, there are still plenty of others all battling it out to see who can secure the two wild card spots in each conference. A list that includes the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks.

All formidable units in their own right, sitting within a few points of each other in the wild card standings, making it vital they avoid falling into a slump to remain in contention for the playoffs. With only a handful of games left, below is a breakdown of each contender’s outlook and how they stack up against each other heading into the final stretch of the season.

NHL To Make 2026 Playoffs Odds

Ottawa Senators To Make Playoffs Odds

After going 7-2-1 in their last ten games, the Ottawa Senators have been able to revive their hopes of making the playoffs, sitting just four points back from the New York Islanders for the last spot in the East. Their resurgence on offense has helped spark their recent hot stretch of play, climbing up the board in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

Unfortunately for the Senators, their remaining schedule will make it tough for them to build on their momentum, potentially holding them back from being able to close the gap. Even with their defense leading the league in Expected Goals Against, the uptick in quality of opponents will neutralize their advantage, making them a pass in any futures markets.

Nashville Predators To Make Playoffs Odds

Even after re-tooling their roster, the Nashville Predators have underperformed this year, ranking below league average in Expected Goals For and in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Juuse Saros has also struggled to give them the protection they need to be a competitive unit, averaging nearly three Goals Against per game and a .895 Save Percentage.

With that said, it’s a miracle the Predators have been able to remain in contention for the playoffs as they are currently in possession of the last wildcard spot in the Western Conference standings. While I would normally say now is the time to fade the Preds, I am taking a different approach, targeting a team that will be mentioned later on to leap over them.

New York Islanders To Make Playoffs Odds

Like the Preds, the New York Islanders have also managed to grab on to one of the wildcard spots in the East, holding on to a one point lead over Detroit as of writing. A stunning sight to see when factoring in their low level of play on offense, ranking near dead last in Expected Goals For in 5-on-5 Play, averaging just 1.94 Expected Goals per game.

With the Islanders having to weave through the third hardest remaining strength of schedule, negative regression looms large, potentially plummeting them back down the wild card standings. Place a wager on the Islanders to miss the playoffs now before they are brought back down to reality at +155 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Los Angeles Kings To Make Playoffs Odds

Speaking of who may leap over Nashville, the Los Angeles Kings are currently two points behind them in the wildcard standings while possessing the easiest strength of schedule remaining in the league. Including two games against Nashville, giving them a great opportunity to leap over them and create some space between the two in the process.

In regard to their talent on the ice, the Kings field a back line who excels in coverage, ranking in the top-10 in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their offense on the other hand has struggled to give them the production they need to be a well rounded contender, bringing in a higher amount of variance into their contests. Place a wager on the Kings to make the playoffs now, giving yourself an out if the two are still close at the end of the year.

Detroit Red Wings To Make Playoffs Odds

After a hot start to the year, the Detroit Red Wings are in serious jeopardy of missing out on the playoffs, sitting one point back from the Islanders in the wildcard standings. Their regression on offense while Dylan Larkin is dealing with an injury has played a major role in their recent struggles, dropping the Red Wings to 16th in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

To make matters worse for Detroit, their next batch of opponents will do them no favors in keeping their hopes of playing in the playoffs alive, having to weave through the 10th hardest remaining strength of schedule. Still, with negative regression looming over the Islanders, the Red Wings will potentially be able to squeak in at the last second, especially if Larkin is able to quickly round back into form.

San Jose Sharks To Make Playoffs Odds

Arguably one of the bigger surprises of the year, the San Jose Sharks have been flirting with playoff contention for a majority of the year, sitting just five points back from Nashville in the wildcard standings. Their top two lines have helped them play at a competitive level this year, fielding six players who average over 0.30 Expected Goals per game.

Their lack of depth holds them back though, making it tough for them to pull away on the scoreboard. Especially with their defense failing to give them the production they need to be a well rounded unit, ranking near dead last in Expected Goals Against in All Situations while Alex Nedeljkovic is averaging 2.90 Goals Against per game and a .898 Save Percentage. Even at their lofty odds to make the playoffs, pass on the Sharks.

2026 Stanley Cup Odds

Since the start of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche have been in a tier of their own, ranking in the top-5 in Expected Goals Against in All Situations while leading the league in Expected Goals For. With their offense revolving around Nathan MacKinnon, the Avs front line can break through any coverage as the betting favorite for the Hart Memorial Trophy is averaging 0.46 Expected Goals and 4.46 Shots on Goal per game.

What really separates the Avs from the rest of the field is their goaltending, fielding two goalies who give them the protection they need to help limit the amount of variance in their contests on a nightly basis. Heading into the final stretch of the season, Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood both rank inside the top-10 in average Goals Against per game.

With the Avs getting the benefitting of rotating their goalies throughout the playoffs, they will be able to preserve them and keep them fresh for the later rounds. This will give them the edge they need to thwart their opponents, making them the clearcut favorite to win it all. Place a wager on the Avs to win the Stanley Cup now with zero intentions of hedging.

Photo Credit: AP/Melissa Majchrzak