{"id":542098,"date":"2026-03-15T14:18:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T14:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/542098\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T14:18:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T14:18:22","slug":"nhl-playoff-watch-the-anaheim-ducks-pacific-title-chances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/542098\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL playoff watch: The Anaheim Ducks’ Pacific title chances"},"content":{"rendered":"

On March 15, 2025, the Anaheim Ducks<\/a> had 65 points through 66 games. They had a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, and sure enough they did not; Anaheim finished with 80 points, 16 behind the St. Louis Blues<\/a>, who earned the second wild card.<\/p>\n

On March 15, 2026, the Ducks have 75 points through 66 games. They have a 98.2% chance of making the playoffs, and in fact are in second place in their division prior to Sunday’s games. The Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> are one point ahead, with 76 through 67 contests.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n

2 Related<\/p>\n

While a playoff berth seems highly likely, what are the chances they pull off a division title after missing the playoffs entirely last season?<\/p>\n

Sunday’s game is the next step down that path. After a loss to the Ottawa Senators<\/a> in Canada’s capital on Saturday, they’ll head to la belle province to skate against the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+<\/a>). These two teams met on March 6 in Anaheim, and the Ducks earned a 6-5 shootout victory.<\/p>\n

After the game against Montreal, the Ducks will have 15 games remaining this season, including just four against teams currently in playoff position. How does that compare to their top Pacific Division competition?<\/p>\n

The Golden Knights also have 15 games remaining, with six against current playoff teams.<\/p>\n

The Edmonton Oilers<\/a> take on the Nashville Predators<\/a> on Sunday, then have 14 games thereafter, including eight against current playoff teams.<\/p>\n

Stathletes gives a slight edge to the Golden Knights; their 95.7 projected point total is ahead of the Ducks (95) and the Oilers (90.3). But this race may well come down to the very end of the season, as Anaheim and Edmonton both play on that day.<\/p>\n

Every team has fewer than 20 games left before the regular season concludes April 16, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.<\/p>\n

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.<\/p>\n

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups<\/a>
Today’s schedule<\/a>
Last night’s scores<\/a>
Expanded standings<\/a>
Race for No. 1 pick<\/a><\/p>\n

Current playoff matchups<\/p>\n

Eastern Conference<\/p>\n

A1 Buffalo Sabres<\/a> vs. WC1 Boston Bruins<\/a>
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens<\/a><\/p>\n

M1 Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> vs. WC2 Detroit Red Wings<\/a>
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> vs. M3 New York Islanders<\/a><\/p>\n

Western Conference<\/p>\n

C1 Colorado Avalanche<\/a> vs. WC2 San Jose Sharks<\/a>
C2 Dallas Stars<\/a> vs. C3 Minnesota Wild<\/a><\/p>\n

P1 Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth<\/a>
P2 Anaheim Ducks<\/a> vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers<\/a><\/p>\n

Today’s games<\/p>\n

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+<\/a> (local blackout restrictions apply).<\/p>\n

All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues<\/a> at Winnipeg Jets<\/a>, 3 p.m. (NHL Network)
San Jose Sharks<\/a> at Ottawa Senators<\/a>, 5 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks<\/a> at Montreal Canadiens<\/a>, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> at Minnesota Wild<\/a>, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Nashville Predators<\/a> at Edmonton Oilers<\/a>, 8 p.m.
Florida Panthers<\/a> at Seattle Kraken<\/a>, 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Last night’s scoreboard<\/p>\n

Ottawa Senators<\/a> 2, Anaheim Ducks<\/a> 0
Boston Bruins<\/a> 3, Washington Capitals<\/a> 2 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets<\/a> 3, Colorado Avalanche<\/a> 1
New York Rangers<\/a> 4, Minnesota Wild<\/a> 2
Buffalo Sabres<\/a> 3, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> 2 (SO)
San Jose Sharks<\/a> 4, Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 2
Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> 4, Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> 2
New Jersey Devils<\/a> 6, Los Angeles Kings<\/a> 4
New York Islanders<\/a> 3, Calgary Flames<\/a> 2
Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> 2, Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> 1 (SO)
Dallas Stars<\/a> 3, Detroit Red Wings<\/a> 2 (OT)
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> 4, Utah Mammoth<\/a> 3
Seattle Kraken<\/a> 5, Vancouver Canucks<\/a> 2
Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> 4, Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 0<\/p>\n

Expanded standingsAtlantic Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 107.7
Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 106.0
Next game: @ SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 103.5
Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 99.4
Next game: @ NJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 71.5%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 97.9
Next game: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 34.2%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 94.6
Next game: vs. SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 60.7%
Tragic number: 29<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 23<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 18<\/p>\n

Metro Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 111.8
Next game: @ CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 63.3%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 99.1
Next game: @ TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 63.8%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 98.2
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 85.9%
Tragic number: 31<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 91.9
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 11.9%
Tragic number: 26<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 11%
Tragic number: 22<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 84.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Monday)
Playoff chances: 1.7%
Tragic number: 20<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 79.5
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16<\/p>\n

Central Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 122.4
Next game: vs. PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 116.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 107.7
Next game: vs. TOR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 90.6
Next game: @ DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 96.8%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 84.5
Next game: @ EDM (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7.8%
Tragic number: 31<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 80.7
Next game: vs. STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.8%
Tragic number: 28<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 79.5
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 3.7%
Tragic number: 26<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 75.8
Next game: vs. MIN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 23<\/p>\n

Pacific Division\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 93.0
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.9%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 93.2
Next game: @ MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 98.2%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 89.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.6%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 89.7
Next game: @ OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 69.4%
Tragic number: N\/A<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: vs. FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 12.1%
Tragic number: 33<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85.7
Next game: @ NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 25.6%
Tragic number: 31<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 73.3
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 21<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 48
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N\/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 59.6
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 10<\/p>\n

Race for the No. 1 pick<\/p>\n

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here<\/a>. Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 48
Regulation wins: 13<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 18<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 19<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 24<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 22<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 17<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 20<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23<\/p>\n

*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On March 15, 2025, the Anaheim Ducks had 65 points through 66 games. They had a 0.1% chance…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":542099,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[64,63,575,85],"class_list":["post-542098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nhl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/542098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=542098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/542098\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/542099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=542098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=542098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=542098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}