NHL playoff race tightens as teams return from 2026 Winter Olympics

The NHL has resumed after the 2026 Winter Olympics, with 143 league players returning from international duty and the Stanley Cup race entering a decisive stretch. Several clubs now face the challenge of managing fatigue and injuries from the tournament while chasing postseason spots.

In the East, Tampa Bay and Carolina remain strong favourites in their divisions, while Montreal, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and the Islanders are battling to secure or protect playoff positions. Boston and Ottawa remain in contention, with Florida and Toronto trying to close the gap.

In the West, Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota continue to lead the Central race, while Vegas tops a crowded Pacific picture that also includes Edmonton, Anaheim and Los Angeles in the hunt. Utah remains well-positioned in the wild-card race, with Seattle and San Jose still pushing for late momentum.

Olympic performances could influence the stretch run, with some stars returning in top form and others dealing with injury concerns. Teams with better depth and goaltending stability are expected to have the edge as the regular season heads toward the playoffs.