"The standings tell us that the 2025-26 NHL season is one of the most competitive in recent memory. History tells us that this is actually the most competitive playoff race we've had in the NHL shootout era, beginning in 2005-06. Entering into Tuesday night's games, there were 26 teams with a .500 points percentage or greater. According to ESPN Research, that was tied for the largest number of teams at .500 or better at this point in the season (with 616 league games played)."
"The NHL Bubble Watch is our monthly check-in on the Stanley Cup playoff races using playoff probabilities from Stathletes and Money Puck for all 32 teams. We utilize stats from the NHL, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey. In this edition, we also reveal our MVPs for each team so far this season. But first, a look at the current playoff bracket if the season had ended Tuesday night:"
The 2025-26 NHL season shows exceptional competitiveness and parity across the league. Twenty-six teams had a .500 points percentage or greater after 616 games, tying the previous record at this point. Twenty-nine teams were within four points of a playoff spot, the most ever this deep into a season; the previous high was 26 teams in 2015-16. The NHL Bubble Watch uses playoff probabilities from Stathletes and Money Puck and statistics from the NHL, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey to evaluate playoff races and identify team MVPs so far this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning sit among Atlantic Division locks with a .618 points percentage despite lineup absences and uneven production from some stars.
Read at ESPN.com
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