NHL playoff standings: Where will the Devils finish?

ByESPN Staff

Thursday, March 13, 2025 10:26PM

New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald acted decisively last spring and during the offseason to address his team's needs, trading for goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, as well as signing defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon in free agency.

For much of the season, the Devils looked like one of the league's top contenders. But with injuries to key players -- including Jack Hughes, who is out for the season -- their spirits took a hit. Ultimately, where will they land in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket?

That will begin to be determined Thursday night when the Devils host the Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+). Heading into that game:

The Devils are in the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division with 76 points and 31 regulation wins in 66 games

The Carolina Hurricanes are No. 2, with 82 points and 34 RW in 65 games

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the East's second wild card, with 70 points and 23 RW in 64 games

If the Blue Jackets pass the Devils, they'll have to worry about the Ottawa Senators, who have 73 points and 25 RW in 64 games

After the showdown with the Oilers, the Devils have just five games against current playoff teams out of 15 total contests.

Based on the current projections from Stathletes, the Devils are playoff bound with 94 points and likely to hold on to the No. 3 spot ahead of the Blue Jackets (projected for 86.7).

There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we'll help you keep track of it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Today's schedulebr/>Yesterday's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick