As the 2025-26 NHL regular season enters its final stretch in early April, all three California teams—the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks—are still alive in the playoff race. For the first time in years, the Pacific Division features a genuine battle among these clubs, with the Ducks holding a slim lead and the others chasing wild-card spots or division seeding. With fewer than 10 games left for each team before the April 16 conclusion, every point matters.
The Ducks sit atop the Pacific with 87 points and 24 regulation wins through 74 games, giving them a strong tiebreaker edge. The Kings trail at 76 points and 19 regulation wins in 73 games, while the Sharks have 75 points and 22 regulation wins in 72 games. They’re nipping at the heels of the Nashville Predators for the second wild card and eyeing the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights for Pacific spots.
Ducks’ commanding position in the Pacific
Anaheim’s 99.9% playoff probability via Stathletes reflects their dominance, but nothing is clinched yet. Their regulation win total provides a buffer against the competition. The Ducks currently project as the Pacific No. 1 seed, facing the Utah Mammoth as the West’s top wild card in the bracket.
Leo Carlsson and other young stars have fueled a recent surge, mirroring the broader Pacific chaos described in our coverage of the division’s wide-open sprint. Goaltending has stabilized after early concerns, allowing them to rack up points consistently. A win in their upcoming divisional clash could solidify their spot.
However, the Ducks can’t relax with Vegas and Edmonton lurking. Projections have them finishing with around 97 points, enough for the top seed. Their special teams play has been key, converting power plays at a high clip.
The road ahead includes a pivotal game against the Sharks on Wednesday. A regulation victory there boosts their regulation wins further. Anaheim’s depth, bolstered by smart trades, positions them for a deep run.
Sharks’ games in hand offer hope
San Jose’s 60.5% playoff odds stem from two games in hand on the Kings, and more on others. Macklin Celebrini reaching 100 points as a teenager—the sixth in NHL history—has electrified the team. His power-play goal highlighted their offensive spark.
With 22 regulation wins already, the Sharks have tiebreaker potential. They need to capitalize on extra games against non-playoff foes. Recent upsets, like multi-goal teen performances, show maturity beyond their youth.
Stathletes sees them sneaking into a Pacific seed if Edmonton or Vegas falters. Their goaltending extensions provide stability amid the youth movement. As noted in our Sharks youth analysis, contract moves like Alex Nedeljkovic’s deal anchor the back end.
Wednesday’s home game versus Anaheim is massive. A win pulls them even closer, potentially flipping the division dynamic. San Jose’s home record at SAP Center has been solid lately.
Kings’ regulation win woes
Los Angeles faces the steepest climb at 22.6% odds, hampered by just 19 regulation wins—the second-fewest among contenders behind Vancouver. They must string together wins quickly to overcome tiebreakers. Road resilience has kept them afloat, but home inconsistencies hurt.
Adrian Kempe’s long-term extension secures scoring punch. Darcy Kuemper’s shutouts have been highlights. Yet, they trail Nashville closely for the wild card.
Hosting St. Louis on Wednesday offers a chance to gain ground. A regulation win jumps them ahead of San Jose temporarily. Our Kings road warriors piece details their away prowess.
If they falter, the draft lottery beckons. But a hot streak could see them in the mix for all three Californians qualifying—a rare feat.
Crucial Wednesday matchups and schedule
Only three games dot Wednesday’s slate, two involving California teams:
- St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks, 9 p.m. ET on TNT
Vancouver at Colorado rounds it out. These outcomes could shift the Pacific wildly. Ducks-Sharks has playoff implications written all over it.
Tuesday’s results saw Edmonton blank Seattle, tightening the race. Buffalo, Tampa, and others locked in East positioning.
With 10 or fewer games left, daily shifts are likely. Track via ESPN’s playoff bracket.
Projected Western Conference bracket
Current matchups project:
Western Conference
- C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
- P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
- P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
All three Californians making it requires slumps from Edmonton, Vegas, or Nashville. Sharks and Kings target those slips.
East features Buffalo vs. Boston, Tampa vs. Montreal, Carolina vs. Columbus, Pittsburgh vs. Islanders.
The math allows it, but execution is key. Wednesday provides the next clues.
The stage is set for a thrilling finish. Ducks are near-locks, Sharks have momentum, and Kings need urgency. If all three punch tickets, California’s playoff presence would echo the sport’s growth here. Watch these teams—they could define the Pacific narrative come playoffs. For full standings, check NHL.com.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.