With the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the push for the postseason has reached a fever pitch. As of March 9, 2026, the NHL playoff standings are beginning to solidify, but several races remain wide open. Perhaps the most surprising development of the season is the resurgence of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who signaled their intent to compete by acquiring forward Conor Garland at the deadline. Columbus remains firmly in the mix for a Wild Card spot, setting up a frantic final month of the regular season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Conor Garland Factor
The acquisition of Conor Garland has injected a new level of energy into the Blue Jackets' lineup. Known for his tenacity and ability to drive play in the offensive zone, Garland provides Columbus with the secondary scoring they desperately needed to stay relevant in a crowded Eastern Conference. Currently, the Blue Jackets are battling with the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins for one of the final playoff berths.
To secure their spot, Columbus will need to maintain their recent consistency. The addition of Garland not only improves their top-six forward group but also balances their power-play units. With the NHL playoff standings showing only a few points of separation between the sixth and tenth seeds in the East, every divisional matchup for the Blue Jackets is now essentially a playoff game.
Eastern Conference: The Wild Card Logjam
The top of the Eastern Conference remains dominated by the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. These teams have essentially locked up their positions, focusing now on home-ice advantage. However, the real drama lies in the Metropolitan and Atlantic Division Wild Card races. The following teams are currently fighting for survival:
- Carolina Hurricanes: Holding a steady position but looking to climb the divisional ladder.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Attempting to find defensive consistency ahead of the first round.
- Detroit Red Wings: A young core looking to break a long postseason drought.
- Washington Capitals: Relying on veteran leadership to make one final run.
The Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils also remain mathematically alive, though their paths have become significantly more difficult following the deadline. For Columbus, the key will be outlasting these perennial contenders during the late-March grind.
Western Conference: Powerhouses and the Utah Mammoth
In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets continue to set the pace. The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers remain the favorites for a deep run, bolstered by their superstar talent. A notable storyline this season is the performance of the Utah Mammoth, who have remained competitive in their new market and are currently fighting to maintain a top-three spot in the Central Division.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks are also staples in the current NHL playoff standings, though injuries have started to test their depth. In the Pacific Division, the Los Angeles Kings are looking to fend off the Seattle Kraken, who have surged since the All-Star break. The battle for the final Wild Card spot in the West appears to be a three-way race between the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and Minnesota Wild.
The Race for the Top Pick: Draft Lottery Standings
While half the league looks toward the Stanley Cup, several teams are already eyeing the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks currently hold the highest odds for the number one overall pick. These teams have spent the season prioritizing player development and draft capital over immediate results.
The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a difficult middle ground—too far from the playoffs to be contenders, but perhaps too successful to guarantee a top-three draft pick. The Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames are also monitoring the lottery standings closely as they look to accelerate their respective rebuilds during the upcoming offseason.
What to Watch Down the Stretch
As we move toward April, the schedule strength will play a massive role in determining the final bracket. Teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning have historically performed well under pressure, while younger squads like the Blue Jackets will have to prove they can handle the intensity of meaningful spring hockey. With Conor Garland now in the fold, Columbus has the veteran presence necessary to navigate these high-stakes matchups.
The NHL playoff standings will likely fluctuate daily until the final buzzer of the regular season. For fans of the Blue Jackets and the league at large, the next few weeks promise to be some of the most exciting in recent memory.
Sources & Original Reporting
