Blue Jackets’ Stunning Turnaround Under Rick Bowness | NHL 2024

NHL Wild Card Race Heats Up as Season Progresses

As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the race for the NHL playoffs is intensifying, particularly within the Wild Card standings. Several teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences are vying for a postseason berth.

Eastern Conference Wild Card Standings

In the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins currently hold the first two Wild Card spots. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils are closely trailing, battling for the remaining playoff positions. The New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders are also in contention.

The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the Atlantic Division, followed by the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres. In the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins are at the top, with the New York Islanders in third place.

The Canadiens have played 54 games, with a record of 21 wins, 9 losses, and 4 overtime losses. The Bruins have played 56 games, achieving 25 wins, 28 losses, and 3 overtime losses. The Blue Jackets have a record of 21 wins, 17 losses, and 3 overtime losses in 41 games played.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are tied with the Blue Jackets in points, while the Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils are also within striking distance.

Western Conference Wild Card Standings

The Western Conference Wild Card picture features the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks currently holding the spots. The Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, and Calgary Flames are all vying for a chance to secure a playoff berth.

The Colorado Avalanche lead the Central Division, followed by the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. In the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Seattle Kraken are the top teams.

Recent Performance and Key Stats

Several teams have recently shown strong form. The Canadiens are on a five-game winning streak. The Lightning are on a one-game winning streak, while the Bruins are on a two-game losing streak. The Maple Leafs are on a one-game winning streak.

Looking at goal differential, the Lightning have a +54, while the Hurricanes have a +32. The Avalanche boast a +38 goal differential. The Blue Jackets have a +5 goal differential.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have the highest points total in the Eastern Conference with 62 points, while the Colorado Avalanche lead the Western Conference with 70 points.

Looking Ahead

With several weeks remaining in the regular season, the Wild Card races are expected to remain highly competitive. Teams will be looking to solidify their positions and make a push for the playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets, after hiring Rick Bowness on January 12th, have shown improvement, going 9-1 in his first games, and are attempting to climb the standings.

The standings are dynamic, and shifts are likely as teams continue to battle for playoff contention. Fans can follow the latest updates and results on NHL.com, and ESPN.com.