February 15th, 2025: USA vs. Canada in the Inaugural 4 Nations Tournament – A game full of passion, nationalism at an all-time high, a booed National Anthem, and a whopping three fights in the first nine seconds. Oh, and let’s not forget, the good ol’ U.S. of A took down Canada with a victory for the ages. Play Free Bird!
While Canada eventually claimed the title of the 4 Nations Tournament champions, one thing has become clear: hockey is continuing to sweep the nation. It’s a fast-paced sport with minimal rules, high-scoring potential, massive hits, and a little bit of fighting – what’s not to love? If you’re a new fan, much like myself, let’s take a deep dive into the world of the NHL.
NHL Structure and Current Standings
The NHL is divided into four divisions, with the top three teams from each division earning a spot in the playoffs. Additionally, the 7th and 8th seeds from either of the two division groupings also make the cut. Teams earn points as follows: 2 points for a win, 1 for an overtime loss, and 0 for a loss. Individual points are a combination of goals and assists.
Let’s take a look at the standings, betting favorites, and players to keep an eye on in both conferences.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers (2024 Stanley Cup Champions): Florida claimed the Stanley Cup in 2024 after defeating the Edmonton Oilers (Western Conference, Pacific Division). The Panthers are currently tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 79 points each, and both teams are heavy favorites to make a deep playoff run this year. Florida is led by standout players like Matthew Tkachuk, who has 75 points (23G, 52A).
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs, who have won 13 Stanley Cups (the last one in 1967), are once again a top contender. Their current offensive leaders are Mitch Marner (77 points, 19G, 58A) and William Nylander (35 goals). Toronto’s Auston Matthews (47 points, 23G, 30A) is also a star to keep an eye on.
Tampa Bay Lightning: With 76 points, the Lightning are on fire, winning 9 of their last 10 games. Led by Nikita Kucherov (90 points, 28G, 62A) and a top-tier goalie in Andrei Vasilevskiy (.924 SV%), Tampa Bay is aiming for their 4th Stanley Cup title.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (76 points): Despite being the favorite to win, the Hurricanes are 2nd in their division behind the Washington Capitals, who are led by legend Alex Ovechkin, who is just 9 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record.
New Jersey Devils: The Devils, with 88 points, are still strong contenders, although the injury to Jack Hughes(their top point and goal scorer) may impact their postseason chances. He’ll miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery.
Wildcard: The Columbus Blue Jackets (68 points) and Ottawa Senators (67 points) are in the wildcard spots, with the New York Rangers trailing by just one point (67 points but one more game played).
Western Conference
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets (88 points): The Jets are currently leading the Central Division and Western Conference. With Connor Hellebuyck (USA goalie, .926 SV%), Kyle Connor (76 points, 31G, 45A), and Mark Scheifele (68 points, 34G, 34A), Winnipeg is looking to make its first Stanley Cup appearance in franchise history.
Dallas Stars (86 points): The Stars, led by Matt Duchene (25G, 37A) and Jason Robertson (25G, 37A), have 62 points each and a solid goalie in Jake Ottinger. This team is definitely a top contender in the West.
Minnesota Wild (76 points): The Wild are in third place in the Central Division. Matt Boldy (21G, 32A) leads the team in total points, but Kirill Kaprizov (23G, 23A) is the player you want to tune in for – he’s a beauty of a player, often dubbed “Kirill the Thrill.”
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (80 points): The Golden Knights are leading the Pacific Division, with Jack Eichel (20G, 54A) helping them chase their second Stanley Cup. They won it all in 2023, and they’re looking to repeat this season.
Edmonton Oilers: Despite a rocky season with 74 points, the Oilers have arguably the two best players in the league: Connor McDavid (23G, 54A) and MVP candidate Leon Draisaitl (45G, 47A). With these two stars, the Oilers remain one of the favorites to make a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Kings: The Kings are currently third in the division, with Adrian Kempe (26G, 24A), Anze Kopitar(14G, 34A), and Darcy Kuemper in goal. If the Kings can get hot, they may make a surprising run in the postseason.
Wildcard
Colorado Avalanche: With 74 points, the Avalanche are currently holding down a wildcard spot in the West. Nathan MacKinnon (23G, 70A, 93 points) and Cale Makar (22G, 46A) are looking to lead the defending 2022 Stanley Cup champions back to glory.
Calgary Flames: With 66 points, the Flames are hanging on by a thread in the race for the wildcard spots. I’m hoping the St. Louis Blues (66 points) will catch them – Go Blues!
Final Thoughts
Hockey is no longer a niche sport in the U.S.; it's quickly becoming a major national craze. The NHL season is packed with incredible talent, unforgettable plays, and high-stakes games. As the postseason approaches, expect some intense action. Whether you're a new fan or an old-timer, now's the time to get in on the excitement.
So, grab a cold one, sit back, and enjoy the thrill of the game. Who knows, you might just become as hooked on hockey as the rest of America!
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