The NHL playoff push has intensified as teams grapple with injuries and performance fluctuations just weeks before the regular season draws to a close. With one month remaining, franchises like the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers are fighting hard to secure their playoff spots, each with their own challenges and problems.
Starting with the Devils, who currently occupy third place in the Metropolitan Division, their fortunes have taken a considerable hit due to injuries. Star forward Jack Hughes and defenseman Dougie Hamilton are both sidelined, and the team has struggled to find consistent form. Since December 27, 2024, the Devils have only managed to string together three wins consecutively once and record of 11-10-2 since January 11, 2025, leaves fans uneasy about their playoff prospects.
Lamentably, talks among fans and pundits suggest the squad may not fare well against higher-seeded teams such as the Washington Capitals or the Florida Panthers should they slip to a wild-card seed. The current atmosphere surrounding the team reflects disappointment and concern, as even when healthy, the Devils did not exhibit the form necessary to contend for the top of the Metro.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild, who once held second place within the competitive Central Division, have now found themselves battling for the wild card position. Injuries have ravaged their roster as well, with notable key players like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek missing significant time. Since January 11, they have managed just 11 wins against 12 losses, significantly impacting their standings as they eye playoff competition.
Similarly, the Oilers have faced their own issues, albeit without the pronounced injury struggles encountered by the Devils and Wild. Since January 27, the Oilers’ record sits at 7-9-1, which raises questions about their post-season readiness. Goalie Stuart Skinner's underwhelming performances have contributed to the team's slump—his save percentages have dropped to alarming lows of .867 and .876 during February and March, respectively. Edmonton currently trails the LA Kings, and the specter of slipping out of the top three Pacific Division spots looms large.
On the flip side, optimistically speaking, the New York Rangers are rekindling their hopes. They are fighting tooth and nail for one of the final playoff spots. Ranked ninth, they are tied on points (70) with the Columbus Blue Jackets currently holding the eighth. A significant development occurred on March 15, when defenseman Adam Fox returned from injured reserve. The impact of his return cannot be understated for the Rangers; having sustained his upper-body injury last month, Fox’s presence will imbue the defensive unit with much-needed stability.
Coach Peter Laviolette said of Fox, "Nothing's changed with him. That's great he’s out on the ice and progressing, but he’s on IR still." With Fox coming back, hope springs eternal as fans and the team alike rank up their playoff ambitions.
Making headlines too is goalie Jonathan Quick, who reportedly signed a one-year extension with the Rangers. Quick has been pivotal throughout his NHL career and holds invaluable experience, potentially energizing the Rangers as they aim to navigate the postseason path.
"For the most part, I would say it helps ... just tell me what I have to do and I’ll do it," Quick remarked, signifying his commitment to the team’s effort. This leadership may provide exactly the guidance the Rangers need to overhaul their recent misfortunes.
Over on the other end of the standings, the Florida Panthers have maintained their lead in the Atlantic Division with 85 points, sitting atop their league entry just before the playoffs. Even as they juggle the ramifications of star defenseman Aaron Ekblad’s 20-game suspension for failing the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, Florida continues to press forward with potential playoff matchups taking shape.
The Panthers celebrated recent successes, hosting their sixth consecutive winning streak until it was snapped at the hands of the Boston Bruins. They look to regain momentum as they finish their six-game road trip, returning home to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 23. Their position overshadowed by the recent suspension of Ekblad, they still project as strong contenders heading toward the playoffs.
Despite injuries and inconsistent performances defining their seasons, many teams continue to vie for playoff positions. The Senators and Blue Jackets remain formidable challenges, vying for their fists of the season's final wild card spots. With intense battles expected among the Sharks, Flames, and Canucks, the upcoming weeks will prove decisive. Each game is being fought with urgency as franchises look to salvage success amid adversity.
One month remains to settle the playoff picture, meaning decisions made now for teams like the Devils, Wild, and Oilers could echo throughout the round of series matches, impacting not only their playoff bids but their standing as teams.