With the NHL set to resume play this Wednesday following the Winter Olympic break, there will be a two-month sprint to the finish as a handful of bubble teams battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
What clubs will book a ticket to the 16-team tournament and which ones will be on the outside looking in this April? Let's look at the latest 2026 NHL Playoff Specials to see who's favored to make the postseason. Odds are subject to change.
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | -260 | +200 |
| Boston Bruins | +120 | -150 |
| Buffalo Sabres | -350 | +275 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | -130 | +100 |
| Detroit Red Wings | -300 | +240 |
| Edmonton Oilers | -400 | +300 |
| Florida Panthers | +220 | -280 |
| Montreal Canadiens | -600 | +400 |
| Nashville Predators | +240 | -300 |
| New Jersey Devils | +900 | -1800 |
| New York Islanders | -165 | +135 |
| Ottawa Senators | +190 | -230 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +500 | -800 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -280 | +220 |
| San Jose Sharks | +215 | -275 |
| Seattle Kraken | +150 | -180 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +325 | -450 |
| Utah Mammoth | -500 | +350 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -5000 | +1600 |
| Washington Capitals | +145 | -175 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1000 | -2000 |
Boost Your NHL Picks
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Red Wings to miss playoffs
Detroit is +240 to miss the postseason - not bad odds for a team on a nine-year playoff drought. Todd McLellan has his Red Wings tied for second in the Atlantic, but they were only 5-3-1 in their last 10 games heading into the Olympic break. While that's not a terrible mark, they're are only 2 points up on the Sabres and 3 points up on the Bruins in the division.
That means the Wings could soon find themselves fighting for a Wild Card spot. Right now, Detroit has a 7-point cushion over the Blue Jackets, but Columbus is on a 7-game winning streak.
🥹♥️ pic.twitter.com/m9OCvYvLlc
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 22, 2026
Capitals won't make it either
Washington (-175) trails Boston by four points for the East's second wild card, and is also four points behind the Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division. With over a quarter of the season still to play, the Capitals certainly have a chance to make the playoffs, especially with Alex Ovechkin returning from the Olympic break fresher than most NHL superstars. However, the Caps are barely over .500 (5-4-1) over their past 10 contests and they've played at least two more games than the other clubs on the playoff bubble.
Bruins to earn a berth
Boston (+120) has overperformed preseason expectations as much as any team in the NHL. The Bruins had won 10 of 12 contests before dropping back-to-back overtime games to Tampa Bay and Florida before the break. Continuing to get better under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, the boys in black and gold won't just hold off all comers for the final Wild Card spot, they'll move up the standings in the Atlantic.
A golden moment 🫶 pic.twitter.com/2eppk0XGYe
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 22, 2026
Release the Kraken!
Seattle is available at plus odds (+150) despite currently holding down a playoff berth. Lane Lambert's club is tied for third in the Pacific with Anaheim, three points clear of Los Angeles. While the Kings just added sniper Artemi Panarin from the Rangers, they lost Kevin Fiala for the season after the Swiss forward suffered a gruesome injury in the Olympics. That should help the Kraken squeak into the postseason for the second time in their five seasons in the NHL.
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