Western conference wild card race tightens with 20 games left

With about a quarter of the 2025-26 NHL season remaining, the battle for the Western conference wild card spots is heating up. As of March 10, the Utah Mammoth hold the first wild card position with 73 points through 64 games, fresh off a 4-2-1 run since the Olympic break that included three straight wins before Monday’s overtime loss to Chicago. The Mammoth face a tough test Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, a team they’ve beaten twice this season already.[1]

Behind them, the Seattle Kraken sit second with 67 points in 62 games, while the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings are tied at 66 points but with different games played—San Jose in 61, Kings in 63. The Nashville Predators lurk at 64 points in 63 games, keeping the pressure on. Stathletes projections favor the Mammoth heavily at 98.9% playoff odds, with the Sharks at 71.9%, but the drop-off is steep after that.

The cost of entry into the playoffs looks lower in the West than the East right now, but nothing is locked in with the season ending April 16. Division leaders like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild in the Central, and Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific are nearly assured spots. That leaves the wild cards as the main drama.

Utah Mammoth lead the pack but face gauntlet

The Mammoth’s recent form has them comfortably ahead, but their remaining 17 games include eight against current playoff teams. Tuesday’s matchup at Minnesota (8 p.m. ET on ESPN+/Hulu) is pivotal, especially given their head-to-head success. A win there could extend their cushion before facing more contenders.

Utah’s resilience post-Olympic break shows depth, with strong contributions across lines. Their points pace sits at 93.5, and with 98.9% playoff odds per Stathletes, they’re the safest bet among wild card hopefuls. Still, slipping against playoff foes could invite challengers.

For context on their edge over Central rivals, check out this breakdown of Utah’s dominant win over the Wild earlier. That performance highlighted their scoring punch.

The Mammoth’s schedule stacks up favorably in volume but tough in quality. They’ll need to maintain their 4-2-1 streak to fend off the pack.

Seattle Kraken and Pacific challengers close behind

Seattle holds WC2 with 67 points through 62 games and 20 left, including 10 versus playoff teams. Their 88.6 points pace keeps them in striking distance, but only 23.3% odds reflect the climb needed. Tuesday hosts Nashville, another bubble team.

The Sharks, with 66 points in 61 games and 21 remaining (just eight against playoff squads), have the easiest path forward. At 71.9% odds, they’re surging. The Kings match points but have played more games (63), with 19 left and seven toughies; 8.4% odds.

Nashville’s 64 points in 63 games, 19 remaining (10 vs. playoffs), gives slim 6.9% hope. Their Tuesday trip to Seattle could shake things up.

Seattle’s early season grit, like Eberle’s lift against Edmonton, mirrors their current tenacity.

Key metrics and schedules compared

• Utah Mammoth: 73 pts (64 GP), 18 games left, 8 vs. playoffs, 98.9% odds, 93.5 pace.
• Seattle Kraken: 67 pts (62 GP), 20 left, 10 vs. playoffs, 23.3% odds, 88.6 pace.
• San Jose Sharks: 66 pts (61 GP), 21 left, 8 vs. playoffs, 71.9% odds, 88.7 pace.
• Los Angeles Kings: 66 pts (63 GP), 19 left, 7 vs. playoffs, 8.4% odds, 85.9 pace.
• Nashville Predators: 64 pts (63 GP), 19 left, 10 vs. playoffs, 6.9% odds, 83.3 pace.

These schedules highlight why San Jose’s lighter slate boosts their chances. Utah’s lead demands consistency.

Monday’s results impacted the race: Kings edged Columbus 5-4 OT, boosting them to 66; Chicago topped Utah 3-2 OT, ending their win streak.

Projections from Stathletes underscore the volatility—only Utah above 70%.

Tuesday’s slate could reshape the race

A packed Tuesday features wild card implications:

• Utah at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET.
• Nashville at Seattle, 10 p.m.
• San Jose at Buffalo, 7 p.m. (easier matchup).
• Kings at Boston, 7 p.m.
• Others: Vegas at Dallas, Anaheim at Winnipeg, Edmonton at Colorado (TNT).

Wins for Utah and Seattle solidify; losses open doors. Vegas-Dallas and Edmonton-Colorado affect division locks.[2]

Broader western playoff picture

Current matchups:

• C1 Colorado vs. WC2 Seattle.
• C2 Dallas vs. C3 Minnesota.
• P1 Anaheim vs. WC1 Utah.
• P2 Vegas vs. P3 Edmonton.

Colorado leads with 95 points, Dallas 88, Minnesota 85, Anaheim 73. All near-locks.

The wild cards decide early-round foes. For full standings, see ESPN’s wild card view.

East requires higher points, with Buffalo-Tampa-Detroit and Carolina-Pittsburgh-Islanders locked in, Montreal and Boston as wild cards.

Looking ahead to the final stretch

Every team eyes April 16, with daily shifts possible. The West wild card remains fluid, favoring Utah and San Jose but with Seattle lurking. Monitor Stathletes updates and key results.

Bubble teams like Nashville need hot streaks; Kings and Predators face elimination risks soon. The race promises drama, setting up intriguing playoffs or draft lottery jockeying—Vancouver leads that chase with 46 points.

Fans, stay tuned: Tuesday’s games could define contenders from pretenders. What it means? The West’s lower bar still demands excellence for postseason glory.