Post-Olympics NHL Bubble Watch: Every team's playoff chances - ESPN

ESPN

by Greg Wyshynski

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The NHL's playoff race is heating up after the Olympic break, with teams looking to capitalize on their performances in Italy or recover from the intense competition. The Tampa Bay Lightning remain atop the standings, but challenges loom due to injuries and emotional fatigue. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings are close behind, each with their own strengths and potential hurdles as they aim for a postseason spot. In the Atlantic Division, the Lightning enter the stretch with a strong lead, but concerns about key players like Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli returning from injuries cast a shadow over their otherwise stellar performance. The Canadiens, bolstered by Jakub Dobes' stellar goaltending and Juraj Slafkovsky's continued dominance, are in good shape but need consistency to secure a playoff spot. The Red Wings, despite their solid record, face an uphill battle if they falter. The broader impact of the Olympics is significant, with many Russian-born stars resting while others like Nikita Kucherov and Kirill Kaprizov returned from intense competition. This dynamic could shift team dynamics as players adjust to post-Olympic challenges, making the race more unpredictable than ever. Fans will be closely watching how these factors influence each team's playoff chances in the final stretch of the season.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026