NHL Playoff Hunt: Analysis of Late-Season Coaching Changes

The NHL playoff race has intensified as two teams have implemented late-season coaching changes to secure their postseason positions. The New York Islanders and the Vegas Golden Knights have both replaced their head coaches within the final two weeks of the regular season.

The New York Islanders announced on Sunday, April 5, 2026, that Patrick Roy is no longer the head coach. The organization hired veteran coach Peter DeBoer to replace Roy following a four-game losing streak.

The timing of the change coincides with a volatile shift in the standings. While the Islanders were in third place at the time of the coaching announcement, the team dropped below the playoff line on April 5, 2026.

Peter DeBoer, who previously led the Dallas Stars to the final three Western Conference finals, is scheduled to make his debut with the Islanders on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Golden Knights Turn to Tortorella

The Vegas Golden Knights initiated their coaching change earlier, firing Bruce Cassidy on March 29, 2026. The team replaced the 2023 Stanley Cup winner with John Tortorella with eight games remaining in the schedule.

The decision followed a 1-4-2 slide. Since the appointment of Tortorella, the team has worked to turn those results around as they hold third place in their standings.

NHL Power Rankings and League Standings

As of April 5, 2026, with 10 days remaining in the regular season, the USA TODAY NHL power rankings highlight the current leaders of the league:

• Colorado Avalanche: Ranked first. Defenseman Brent Burns has reached an ironman streak of 1,001 consecutive games, making him the second player in NHL history to achieve this feat behind Phil Kessel.
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Ranked second. The Lightning currently lead the Atlantic Division following a 7-1-2 run.
• Carolina Hurricanes: Ranked third. The Hurricanes are positioned to clinch a division title for the first time since 2023.
• Dallas Stars: Ranked fourth. The Stars are trending toward a first-round matchup against the Wild, though a 2-5-2 slide has reduced their hold on home-ice advantage.

New Jersey Devils Face Steep Uphill Battle

While some teams look to coaching changes for a spark, the New Jersey Devils are struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive. As of April 3, 2026, the Devils have seven games remaining and must gain eight points on the team in eighth place.

The team has undergone a systems change following the Olympic break to address poor results and tactical mismatches. Analysts noted that the previous system, which favored O-zone cycling up high, was outdated for the 2026 season.

The updated approach focuses on creating slot line and “royal road” chances to force goalies to move, moving away from a low-to-high point shot system. The previous system was criticized for lacking the personnel down low to create traffic and failing to exploit the team’s speed in the neutral and defensive zones.

Despite these tactical adjustments and a strong showing of hockey over the last four weeks, the Devils are considered unlikely to make the playoffs unless they win out and several other teams suffer significant losses.