NHL Trade Deadline Impacts Wild Card Race

In the West, Utah Mammoth (68 points) seeks their first playoff appearance since 2020, while Seattle Kraken (67 points) looks to bounce back with strategic acquisitions. The San Jose Sharks (64 points) and Los Angeles Kings (62 points) are also positioning themselves for potential playoff runs.

In the East, Montreal Canadiens (75 points) and Boston Bruins (73 points) lead the wild card race with Columbus Blue Jackets (70 points) close behind. Teams face different competitive cycles, with some desperate for playoff appearances while others look to bounce back from recent subpar performances.