The regular season kicking back up after 4 Nations, and competition for the two wildcard spots in the Eastern Conference has once again started. With the NHL playoffs fast approaching, a bit of an orbit has started, with six teams constantly falling in and out of a playoff spot.
The Red Wings are finally finding their stride. As they headed into 2025, Detroit’s season looked bleak. They were hovering around .500 and were out of a playoff spot. That’s when Steve Yzerman stepped in, firing head coach Derel Lalonde, and replacing him with Todd McLellan. It was only then that the Red Wings started to play good hockey. Since 2025, Detroit is 14-4-2. This has rocketed them up the standings, as they now sit in the first wildcard spot with 64 points. With a stacked East, the Red Wings may not make it past the first round, but it will certainly be a step in the right direction.
Ottawa has been in the final year of a rebuild for what seems like years. These past few seasons they’ve had big expectations to take the next step into the playoffs, but have yet to succeed. This season, with the addition of Linus Ulmark, they find themselves in the mix to make the NHL playoffs for the first time since the 2016-2017 season. The Sens have been a streaky team this season, going on a six-game winning streak and then losing the next six of seven. They’ll have to play consistent high-level hockey if they are going to find themselves back in the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets have had a tremendous season so far. Shattering expectations, and reaching new heights amidst the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau. This team has truly risen to the occasion and now are looking to stun the league and make the NHL playoffs. While injuries were starting to pile up in Ohio, the 4 Nations break was exactly what the doctor ordered. Both Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko have returned to action following the break. Each recorded a point in their return as the Blue Jackets beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. Expect the Blue Jackets to put up a fight down the stretch, as they are a sneaky good team.
Things have finally come crashing down on the Bruins. It all started at the beginning of the year when they traded away Linus Ulmark, splitting up the elite goalie tandem of Ulmark and Swayman. Then, after an 8-9-3 start, the Bruins fired head coach Jim Montgomery. Since then things have improved slightly, Boston currently sits at a 27-24-7 record, just one point back of a wildcard spot. Sadly, it was announced that Hampus Lindholm will likely miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. This news is crushing and will make it much more difficult for the Bruins to get back into the NHL playoffs.
The Rangers season has been disappointing, to say the least. Last year’s President Trophy winners are now on the outside looking in as they struggle to find answers to their problems. The core is aging, and the young guys aren’t taking that next step needed. The massive Igor contract is looking worse and worse as the season goes on. They brought in J.T. Miller from the Canucks to hopefully give them a much-needed spark. The Rags will have to play near perfect if they want a chance at another cup run in April.
Another New York team with a disappointing start to their season is the Islanders. If the past few years haven’t made it obvious, this season should make things very clear that a teardown is needed. The Isles will continue to barely make or miss the playoffs, which is a result that no fan wants. Luckily, it seems that Lou Lamoriello finally realizes this, as multiple key players like Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson are on the trade block. Hopefully, this is a sign that the Islanders will finally start from scratch.
The East is an incredibly deep conference this year, and some teams will go home disappointed. Only two of these teams will end the season in the first orbit, clinching a spot in the NHL playoffs. The rest will go back to the drawing board for next season. My current predictions are the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers will be the two teams to get the spots.
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