ANAHEIM, Calif. — One year can make a world of difference in the NHL, and for the Anaheim Ducks, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. On March 15, 2025, the Ducks sat with just 65 points after 66 games, clinging to a mere 0.1 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. They ultimately finished the season with 80 points, 16 behind the St. Louis Blues, who snagged the second wild card spot. Fast forward to March 15, 2026, and the Ducks are a different team altogether, boasting 75 points through 66 games and a 98.2 percent probability of postseason qualification. They're currently in second place in the Pacific Division, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by a single point — Vegas has 76 points in 67 games.
This surge has put the Ducks squarely in the hunt not just for a playoff spot, but for the Pacific Division crown, a feat that seemed unimaginable after last season's disappointment. According to ESPN's playoff projections, a berth is all but assured, but capturing the division title will require navigating a tight race with Vegas and the Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks' next challenge comes Sunday night when they face the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, following a 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday in Canada's capital. The two teams last met on March 6 in Anaheim, where the Ducks prevailed 6-5 in a shootout thriller.
With 16 games remaining after the Montreal matchup, the Ducks face a relatively favorable schedule. Only four of those contests are against teams currently holding playoff positions, which could give them an edge in accumulating points down the stretch. In contrast, the Oilers, who sit third in the division with 73 points, have 15 games left, including eight against playoff-bound opponents. Their Sunday matchup is against the Nashville Predators at 8 p.m. ET, a game that could shake up the standings further.
Projections from Stathletes, a sports analytics firm, give a slight advantage to the Golden Knights, forecasting them to finish with 95.7 points, just ahead of the Ducks at 95 and the Oilers at 90.3. "This race may well come down to the very end of the season," ESPN analysts noted, pointing out that both Anaheim and Edmonton are scheduled to play on the regular season's final day, April 16. The Ducks' points pace currently stands at 93.2, with 21 regulation wins, while Vegas leads the division at 93.0 points pace and the Oilers trail at 89.3.
The Ducks' resurgence is built on a balanced attack and improved defensive play, though specifics on key contributors weren't detailed in recent reports. Last season's miss by 16 points served as a wake-up call, and the team has responded with a 10-point improvement at the same stage this year. Vegas, holding the top spot, has played one more game but maintains a strong 98.9 percent playoff chance. Their next game is Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Beyond the Pacific, the playoff picture is taking shape across the league. In the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres lead with 88 points and a 99.4 percent chance of finishing first, followed by the Tampa Bay Lightning at 84 points. The Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim's Sunday foe, hold third at 82 points with a 94.4 percent playoff probability. The wild card race in the East features the St. Louis Blues at 80 points for the first spot and the Detroit Red Wings at 80 for the second, though Detroit's chances sit at 34.2 percent.
In the Metropolitan Division, the Colorado Avalanche top the standings with 97 points and a commanding 99.9 percent chance of the No. 1 seed. The Dallas Stars follow at 94 points, with the Minnesota Wild at 88. The Central wild cards are held by the San Jose Sharks at 74 points (96.8 percent chance) and the Utah Mammoth at 70 (69.4 percent). Teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, with 69 points and a 12.1 percent playoff shot, are on the bubble but face long odds.
Sunday's slate of games underscores the intensity of the late-season push. Besides Anaheim at Montreal and Nashville at Edmonton, other key matchups include the St. Louis Blues at the Winnipeg Jets at 3 p.m. ET on NHL Network, the San Jose Sharks at the Ottawa Senators at 5 p.m., the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 p.m. on TNT, and the Florida Panthers at the Seattle Kraken at 8 p.m. These results could ripple through the standings, particularly in the wild card hunts.
Recent scores highlight the drama: The Ottawa Senators shut out the Ducks 2-0 on Saturday, while the Boston Bruins edged the Washington Capitals 3-2 in a shootout. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1, and the Buffalo Sabres outlasted the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in another shootout. In the Pacific, the Vegas Golden Knights cruised to a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, solidifying their position.
For teams on the outside looking in, the focus shifts to the draft lottery. The NHL's system allows a team to move up a maximum of 10 spots, with only the bottom 11 eligible for the No. 1 pick. Atop current boards is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State. The San Jose Sharks hold a 60.7 percent playoff chance but could pivot to lottery positioning if they falter, with 17 games left and a points pace of 94.6.
The Ducks' path to the division title isn't without hurdles. While their schedule softens with fewer tough opponents, consistency will be key. Edmonton, despite a tougher slate, has shown resilience, entering Sunday with an 84.6 percent playoff probability. Vegas, as the frontrunner, faces pressure to maintain their lead, especially with Anaheim nipping at their heels.
As the regular season winds down with fewer than 20 games for every team, the Ducks' faithful are daring to dream big. A year removed from irrelevance, Anaheim is poised for a deep playoff run, potentially as Pacific champions. Officials with the team have not commented extensively on the projections, but the on-ice results speak volumes. The coming weeks will determine if this Cinderella story culminates in a division banner or falls just short in a photo finish.
League-wide, the playoff bracket is crystallizing: In the East, it's Buffalo vs. Boston, Tampa Bay vs. Montreal, Carolina vs. Detroit, and Pittsburgh vs. New York Islanders. The West pits Colorado vs. San Jose, Dallas vs. Minnesota, Vegas vs. Utah, and Anaheim vs. Edmonton — assuming the Ducks hold their ground. With games streaming on ESPN+ (local blackouts apply) and select broadcasts on TNT and NHL Network, fans have ample ways to follow the action.
The Ducks' journey from lottery hopefuls to division contenders exemplifies the NHL's unpredictability. As April 16 approaches, all eyes in the Pacific will be on Anaheim's ability to capitalize on their momentum. Whether they overtake Vegas or settle for a wild card, the playoffs beckon — a far cry from last spring's early exit.