The 2025–26 NHL season has hit its most frantic stretch. With the 2026 Winter Olympics in the rearview and a relatively quiet trade deadline passed, the league enters the final 20-game “sprint.”
From the resurgence of the Buffalo Sabres to a historic scoring race involving a rookie phenom, here is the state of the league as of March 20, 2026.
The Presidents’ Trophy Race
In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes have held the conference lead for nearly three weeks, but the Buffalo Sabres are breathing down their necks. Buffalo (92 pts) has been the story of the second half, led by the spectacular play of goaltender Alex Lyon, who recently became only the fifth goalie in NHL history to record a 10-game road winning streak.
Out West, the Colorado Avalanche (98 pts) are the class of the league. They are currently on the verge of being the first team to officially clinch a playoff berth. With Nathan MacKinnon leading the league in goals (45), Colorado looks like the odds-on favorite to return to the Finals.
The Playoff Bubbles: Chaos in the Atlantic
If you love parity, look no further than the Atlantic Division. Behind Buffalo and Tampa Bay, there is a literal three-way tie for the third divisional spot and the first Wild Card:
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Montreal Canadiens: 84 points
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Boston Bruins: 84 points
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Detroit Red Wings: 84 points
Montreal is leaning heavily on Cole Caufield, whose 40 goals rank second in the league. Meanwhile, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, leaving the Wings vulnerable at the worst possible time.
In the West, the surprise of the season remains the Utah Mammoth. After being active at the deadline (acquiring defenseman MacKenzie Weegar), Utah has held a Wild Card spot for nearly a month. They are currently fending off the Nashville Predators and a San Jose Sharks team that refuses to go away.
The Art Ross & Hart Watch
We are witnessing a three-horse race for the scoring title that may go down to the final night of the season.
| Player | Team | Points | Key Stat |
| Connor McDavid | EDM | 115 | Chasing his 6th Art Ross Trophy. |
| Nikita Kucherov | TBL | 114 | Has 8 points in his last two road games. |
| Nathan MacKinnon | COL | 111 | League leader in goals (45). |
The Celebrini Factor: Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini is making a legitimate case for the Hart Trophy. With 95 points in 66 games, he is having the best rookie season since Sidney Crosby and has San Jose within striking distance of a playoff spot for the first time since 2019.
The “Superstar” Injury Crisis
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) – Out for Regular Season
In a devastating blow to the Edmonton Oilers’ hopes for a Pacific Division title, the team officially announced that Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
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The Injury: Draisaitl sustained a significant lower-body injury on March 15 during a game against the Nashville Predators after an awkward collision with Ozzy Wiesblatt.
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The Impact: Draisaitl was in the midst of another Hart-caliber season, sitting 4th in league scoring with 97 points. His absence ends his streak of four consecutive 100-point seasons and leaves Connor McDavid to anchor the offense solo during the final 13-game stretch.
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The Silver Lining: Oilers GM Stan Bowman called the injury a “blessing in disguise,” suggesting it will force the depth chart to mature and ensure Draisaitl is fresh for the postseason, provided the Oilers—currently tied for first in the Pacific—can hold their position.
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) – 12 Weeks (Out for Season)
The news in Toronto is even more grim. The Maple Leafs confirmed that Auston Matthews underwent knee surgery this week to repair a torn MCL. With a recovery timeline of three months, Matthews is officially out for the remainder of the season and the entirety of the playoffs. For a Toronto team already struggling to stay in the Wild Card hunt, this likely signals the end of their 2026 campaign.
The Pacific Division Power Vacuum
With Draisaitl sidelined, the Pacific Division is now the most volatile bracket in the league.
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The Tie at the Top: The Oilers (34-26-9) are currently deadlocked with the Anaheim Ducks for the division lead, though the Ducks hold two games in hand.
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The Predators’ Surge: Following their physical win over Edmonton, Nashville has moved into a commanding position for a Wild Card spot, fueled by the aggressive play that ironically led to the Draisaitl injury.
Performance Watch: The Scoring Race
Despite the injuries to Draisaitl and Matthews, the race for the Art Ross Trophy remains historic.
| Player | Team | Points | Status |
| Connor McDavid | EDM | 115 | Now faces double-coverage every night. |
| Nikita Kucherov | TBL | 114 | Leading the most dangerous PP unit in the East. |
| Nathan MacKinnon | COL | 111 | Has 12 points in his last 5 games. |
| Macklin Celebrini | SJS | 95 | The rookie is now within 2 points of the Top 5. |
Key Dates to Watch
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April 18, 2026: Regular Season Ends.
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April 20, 2026: Stanley Cup Playoffs Begin.
