Beyond the glory of the perennial Cup contenders lie the NHL’s most historically challenged teams. Their sparse record of playoff qualification tells a dramatic story of enduring organizational struggle across the decades.

All 32 NHL clubs have reached or passed the 20-game milestone, putting them past the quarter-mark of the 2025-26 season. The standings remain tightly packed in both conferences, with most teams still in the thick of the playoff chase through the early going.

There was no clear Stanley Cup favorite on Opening Night. Instead, the oddsmakers installed a cohort of teams — the Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning — at the top of the board.

The 2023 Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers is the equivalent of a 50/50 puck battle, according to 16 NHL.com writers and editors. Eight predicted the Golden Knights to win the Cup, while the other eight believe the Panthers will win.

Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL, as we’ve surpassed the quarter-mark of the season. Teams throughout the league are getting a good sense of where they shape up against the Stanley Cup contenders.

More on our latest episode: Devils Hockey is As Jersey As It Gets. Inside the History, Insane Fandom and Stanley Cup Odds.

Following several incidents in the 2025-26 season, the NHL has decided to punish one Stanley Cup champion currently on the Ottawa Senators.

Welcome back to another NHL Prediction here at Last Word On Hockey! Everyday, we provide analysis, insights, and predictions for every NHL game. Tonight, the St.

That illustrates the situation across the NHL as the season reaches the quarter mark Thursday (328 games played) with a 12-game slate that could shake up the standings again. You’re never out of it. You can never take a breath, either.