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.
1. Washington Capitals
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)
2. Winnipeg Jets
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)
3. Dallas Stars
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)
4. Vegas Golden Knights
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)
5. Carolina Hurricanes
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)
6. Colorado Avalanche
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)
7. Los Angeles Kings
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)
8. Florida Panthers
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)
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
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)
10. Edmonton Oilers
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)
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
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)
12. St. Louis Blues
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)
13. Minnesota Wild
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)
14. New Jersey Devils
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)
15. Ottawa Senators
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)
16. Calgary Flames
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)
17. Vancouver Canucks
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)
18. Montreal Canadiens
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)
19. Utah Hockey Club
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)
20. New York Islanders
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)
21. New York Rangers
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)
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
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)
23. Detroit Red Wings
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)
24. Pittsburgh Penguins
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)
25. Boston Bruins
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)
26. Anaheim Ducks
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)
27. Seattle Kraken
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)
28. Nashville Predators
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)
29. Philadelphia Flyers
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)
30. Buffalo Sabres
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)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
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)
32. San Jose Sharks
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)
