They say that all records are meant to be broken, and this week the NHL world saw one of the biggest changes to the record books in recent memory. While I’m sure you are all well aware, Alexander Ovechkin cemented his Hall of Fame career by scoring his 895th goal on Sunday, passing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goalscoring record which he had held for over thirty years.
For many, this record felt untouchable, as Gretzky played hockey at a time when scoring was at a different level, but Ovechkin plugged away, year after year, posting 40-plus goals most seasons well into the latter part of his career. While there were questions about whether he could actually complete this feat when he signed his last contract, this moment has felt inevitable for the better part of the season, as the Great 8 battled through injuries to score 40 goals again for the 14th time in his career.
So, while they say records are meant to be broken, it’s hard to imagine anyone being able to break this record. Congratulations to Ovechkin on this monumental achievement.
With such a momentous occasion on the ice, it almost feels like we’re taking a step backward to discuss the playoff race. In the Western Conference, the race is barely holding on, but in the Eastern Conference, we finally saw a team taking a step towards controlling their own destiny after weeks of botched runs at the final Wild Card Position.
So, with history behind us, and history in front of us, let’s look at what has changed in Week 24 of THW’s Power Rankings!
32-24: Eliminations Coming Quick for the NHL’s Basement
32. Chicago Blackhawks (Previously: 32) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
31. Boston Bruins (Previously: 29) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
30. San Jose Sharks (Previously: 30) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
29. Nashville Predators (Previously: 31) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
28. Seattle Kraken (Previously: 28) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
27. Philadelphia Flyers (Previously: 27) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
26. Anaheim Ducks (Previously: 24) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
25. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previously: 25) – Eliminated from Postseason Contention
24. Buffalo Sabres (Previously: 26)
We are finally at the time of the season when the worst teams in the NHL are being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. While most of the teams have had no real shot at the playoffs for months, we can officially mark them off our list for good.
Overall, the teams at the bottom of the Rankings have been in a bit of a sad state this week. The Bruins’ losing streak reached 10 and they were eliminated from contention for the first time since the 2015-16 season before they finally won a game on Saturday. The Predators, Sharks, and Blackhawks are all doing their best to claim the first-overall pick by losing five straight of their own heading into Sunday. Even the Flyers saw their brief bump from their head coaching change come to an end this week.
Finally, the Penguins will miss the playoffs for the third straight season, which feels wrong to see Sydney Crosby golfing in April again. However, that’s the reality we live in.
Really, it’s only the Sabres who have decided that the end of the season is their time to shine, as they have gone on a 7-3-0 run in their last 10 games to give the idea of a competitive team finally putting it all together. It’s a shame that they are playing so well now after botching the middle part of the season because this play is enough to raise their draft position out of the top five, but also no fans will buy into the idea that things are getting better as they have seen this story before. Ultimately, it’s just a reminder that when you play an opponent’s backup goaltender, it might be easier to score a lot of goals.
23-15: Canadiens Establishing a Playoff Resume
23. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previously: 22)
22. New York Islanders (Previously: 22)
21. New York Rangers (Previously: 22)
20. Detroit Red Wings (Previously: 22)
19. Utah Hockey Club (Previously: 22)
18. Vancouver Canucks (Previously: 16)
17. Calgary Flames (Previously: 17)
16. Minnesota Wild (Previously: 14)
15. Montreal Canadiens (Previously: 19)
For the better part of a month, the final Wild Card position was up for grabs in both conferences. While the Western Conference saw a team go on a run to lock down their place in the race, the Eastern Conference saw teams absolutely bumbling away a perfect opportunity.
Well, this week finally brought with it a little bit of clarity, as the Canadiens won five straight games to establish themselves as the team to beat. Now Montreal finds themselves in charge of their own destiny, as a strong end to the season with a 3-1-1 record would likely be enough to punch their ticket to the postseason. As a young, fun team they could be an absolute treat come playoff season, assuming they don’t drop the ball.
While I may have hinted that the Western Conference race was done, it really isn’t. The Wild have been absolutely gutted by injuries, and while the Flames and Canucks are far from playing great hockey right now, either could still push Minnesota out of their position which felt so secure a month ago. A big win Sunday against the Stars helped the Wild a lot, but they need a few more key performances to finally feel safe.
14-1: NHL’s Best Look Unbeatable
14. Florida Panthers (Previously: 9) – Clinched Playoff Berth
13. Edmonton Oilers (Previously: 13)
12. Ottawa Senators (Previously: 12)
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previously: 10) – Clinched Playoff Berth
10. New Jersey Devils (Previously: 15)
9. Colorado Avalanche (Previously: 7) – Clinched Playoff Berth
8. Carolina Hurricanes (Previously: 5) – Clinched Playoff Berth
7. Winnipeg Jets (Previously: 1) – Clinched Playoff Berth
6. Los Angeles Kings (Previously: 11) – Clinched Playoff Berth
5. Washington Capitals (Previously: 4) – Clinched Playoff Berth
4. Vegas Golden Knights (Previously: 3) – Clinched Playoff Berth
3. Dallas Stars (Previously: 2) – Clinched Playoff Berth
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previously: 8) – Clinched Playoff Berth
1. St. Louis Blues (Previously: 6)
We’re at the point of the season where trying to rank the best teams in the NHL feels a bit silly at times. All of these teams are here for a reason, and any of them could be a true contender for the 2025 Stanley Cup. The difference between 1st and 14th on this Ranking is slim, and there are a few teams I could see switching around without any argument.
First, for the good. The Blues still haven’t lost. They are on a franchise record-setting 12-game winning streak and are, inarguably, the best teams in the league. The Maple Leafs are finally putting it all together again, as they are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games played and have a real shot at winning the Atlantic Division. The Kings are 8-2-0 in their last ten games played, and their goaltender, Darcy Kuemper, currently leads the league with a 2.03 Goals Against Average and is in a three-way tie for second in save percentage. No one saw this coming after that summertime trade, but he’s a real threat for the 2025 Vezina if he ends the season strong.
The only team really on a slide this week were the Panthers, who have lost five straight against key rivals like the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Red Wings, and Senators. Now, they also locked down their spot in the playoffs and are obviously playing for the Stanley Cup, so this little late-season slide shouldn’t be of concern, but the injuries are worth keeping an eye on as Florida works to defend their Stanley Cup Championship. The team has some real questions to answer when it comes to team health, at the very least.
Witness Greatness in the Moment
For those who got to see it live, you will never forget where you were when Ovechkin broke the NHL goalscoring record. Whether you were on your couch or in the building, it was a moment that will define decades of discussions around hockey.
Related: 2025 NHL Draft Guide
As always, make sure to enjoy the greatness while it is happening now. It’s easy to look at the past with nostalgia, but the present has some of the best moments the sport will ever produce. Take some time this week, enjoy some hockey, and start preparing for the final push to the end of the regular season!
