We’re down to the final two weeks of the season, as playoff spots continue to be clinched and mathematical eliminations occur on a near-nightly basis.
Which players will have an outsized impact on the home stretch? Which players are we most intrigued to see before the postseason (or the offseason) begins for their club? Here’s one X factor player for all 32 teams.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition,
This season will include 103 exclusive regular-season games across ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC. More than 1,000 out-of-market games will be available to ESPN+ subscribers via NHL Power Play on ESPN+.
• How to watch
• Subscribe to ESPN+
• Stream the NHL on ESPN
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 63.82%
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Apr. 1)., @ LA (Apr. 4), @ ANA (Apr. 5)
X factor: Jack Campbell. Edmonton knows what it has in No. 1 goalie Stuart Skinner. What the Oilers must have certainty in also is Campbell. Skinner deserves some rest down the stretch, which would lead to more action for Campbell. He must show Edmonton he’ll be a reliable piece of the puzzle if called upon in the playoffs.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 61.84%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Apr. 1), @ NYR (Apr. 5), @ NYI (Apr. 6)
X factor: Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay has been skidding through the end of this regular season. Cause for concern? It’s on Stamkos to make sure that’s not the case. It’s less about Stamkos addressing the Lightning’s on-ice difficulties than it is setting the example of persevering through a rough patch and coming out the other side a stronger team for it.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 57.24%
Next seven days: @ TB (Apr. 1), @ CAR (Apr. 2), vs. TB (Apr. 6)
X factor: Bo Horvat. New York stunningly pursued — and then extended — Horvat because of his potential to be an offensive game-changer on a team that required more scoring. The Islanders need a lot more out of Horvat though — in the regular season and playoffs. The 27-year-old hasn’t hit his stride yet, with only six goals and 11 points in 24 games for New York (after 31 and 23 in 54 for Vancouver). All eyes will be on Horvat to elevate his game in the coming weeks.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 60.81%
Next seven days: vs. LA (Apr. 1), vs. ARI (Apr. 3), @ VAN (Apr. 4), vs. ARI (Apr. 6)
X factor: Philipp Grubauer. Seattle’s glaring weakness all season has been goaltending. Grubauer is the Kraken’s starter once again, but can he hold on to the mantle and help Seattle secure its first playoff berth? What more can Grubauer show that would give the Kraken confidence he’ll be a postseason rock?
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 56.67%
Next seven days: vs. DET (March 31), vs. NJ (Apr. 2), vs. CGY (Apr. 5)
X factor: Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg’s playoff hopes hinge on production from core players. Scheifele has to lead the charge there. He’s had an up-and-down season, but retains all the ability to lift this Jets’ offense. If Scheifele can really turn up the heat on his scoring game, it’ll go a long way for Winnipeg’s postseason push.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 56.00%
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Apr. 1), vs. PHI (Apr. 2), @ NJ (Apr. 4), vs. MIN (Apr. 6)
X factor: Tristan Jarry. Pittsburgh has had its problems in net all season. Chief among them has been Jarry’s availability. The Penguins’ projected No. 1 goalie has weathered injury issues and struggled when he is in the lineup. Casey DeSmith isn’t the answer if Pittsburgh wants to be a playoff contender. Jarry has to stay healthy from here and get as many reps as possible to help carry the Penguins’ postseason hopes.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.33%
Next seven days: @ VAN (March 31), vs. ANA (Apr. 2), vs. CHI (Apr. 4), @ WPG (Apr. 5)
X factor: Jacob Markstrom. Calgary has lacked consistency throughout starter Markstrom’s up-and-down season. That roller-coaster ride has to end now. Calgary can still grab a wild-card spot, but only if Markstrom continues to play like he did this week shutting the door on L.A. in a 33-save performance. The Flames’ postseason hopes depend on Markstrom standing tall.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.41%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Apr. 1), @ DAL (Apr. 3), vs. VGK (Apr. 4), vs. CAR (Apr. 6)
X factor: Cody Glass. Nashville’s infirmary is filled with the team’s top players, from Matt Duchene to Roman Josi. But the Predators’ push for a playoff spot is ongoing, and forwards like Glass have to be the difference that ultimately gets Nashville over the hump. Glass has a top-line role and scored a big goal against Boston earlier this week. The Predators need everything Glass has to give from here.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 54.61%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Apr. 1), vs. BUF (Apr. 4), vs. OTT (Apr. 6)
X factor: Sergei Bobrovsky. Florida has pushed its way into the playoff conversation by averaging four goals per game the last few weeks. At issue? The more than four goals per game they’re giving up. Bobrovsky has to lock down the Panthers’ crease from here in a significant way. If he can’t, there’s little chance of Florida clawing its way into the postseason.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.66%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Apr. 2), @ MTL (Apr. 6)
X factor: Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington has likely played itself out of postseason contention. That would frustrate any skater, including — apparently — Kuznetsov. The Capitals’ forward shot down Russian media reports this week claiming he wants to be traded. Where Kuznetsov should do his talking though is on the ice. Washington has a handful of games left and deserves to see Kuznetsov giving them a $7.8 million-worthy effort. It hasn’t happened nearly enough this season.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.74%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 31), @ PHI (Apr. 1), @ FLA (Apr. 4), @ DET (Apr. 6)
X factor: Jordan Greenway. Buffalo is keeping its gaze on the future, and Greenway will be a part of that. The question — to be determined in these coming games — is where Greenway will fit. How big can his impact on the Sabres’ offense be? Greenway’s workload has increased slowly since he was traded. Buffalo has time now to see what the big winger’s best role in their lineup could be.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 52.67%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Apr. 1), @ CBJ (Apr. 2), @ CAR (Apr. 4), @ FLA (Apr. 6)
X factor: Cam Talbot. Ottawa needs a miracle to make the playoffs. Blue-line injuries have piled up again — both Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun are currently out — and the Senators’ best hope of replacing those lost contributions is through excellent goaltending. Hello, Cam Talbot. The veteran returned from injury this week and has to shake off any rust quickly. Ottawa will rely on him to give the team a final, fighting chance to the finish line.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (March 31), vs. LA (Apr. 2), vs. SEA (Apr. 4), vs. CHI (Apr. 6)
X factor: Brock Boeser. Vancouver won’t make any major personnel decisions based off a couple weeks. But Boeser’s future with the Canucks continues to be a major storyline. What will these final games show the organization, and potential offseason trade partners, about what Boeser can offer? Will Boeser convince Vancouver to hold on to him? Or make himself even more valuable as a potential trade asset?
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50.67%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Apr. 1), vs. BOS (Apr. 2), vs. PHI (Apr. 4), vs. NYR (Apr. 6)
X factor: Colton Parayko. St. Louis will have offseason blue-line decisions to make and now is the time for highly paid players like Parayko to prove why the Blues should keep them around. Parayko’s improved lately amid what’s been a challenging season. This last gasp of the season is an opportunity for Parayko to showcase his best effort.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.68%
Next seven days: @ WPG (March 31), @ TOR (Apr. 2), @ MTL (Apr. 4), vs. BUF (Apr. 6)
X factor: Dylan Larkin. Detroit can still wrap up its regular season on a high note. That’s where Larkin comes in. He’s continued to play at a high level in spite of the Red Wings diminishing postseason hopes. Seeing Larkin continue to push himself sets a tone for everyone in Detroit to do the same, and foster belief in brighter — not to mention longer — springs to come.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 47.97%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Apr. 1), @ PIT (Apr. 2), @ STL (Apr. 4), @ DAL (Apr. 6)
X factor: Cam York. Philadelphia has a couple pending RFAs, and York is one of them. These last few games are York’s opportunity to show off why he’s the Flyers’ top-pairing defenseman of the future — and should be extended accordingly. Plus, York’s efforts should help keep Philadelphia competitive until the end.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 44.67%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 31), vs. SJ (Apr. 1), @ SEA (Apr. 3), @ SEA (Apr. 6)
X factor: Matias Maccelli. Arizona’s on-ice play doesn’t generate the most headlines. That’s a shame for Maccelli. He’s second in rookie scoring this season and can further cement his Calder Trophy candidacy with an impressive last stretch. It would give the Coyotes a nice boost for the future to see Maccelli continuing to dominate.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 43.42%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Apr. 1), vs. DET (Apr. 4), vs. WSH (Apr. 6)
X factor: Denis Gurianov. Montreal’s overall mission now is securing the highest possible pick in this June’s draft. Simultaneously, the Canadiens will try to sort out what they’ve got in Gurianov. Montreal has seen multiple sides of Gurianov since trading for him, and will likely use what’s left of the regular season to decide how much to invest in the pending RFA forward.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 38.00%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Apr. 1), vs. COL (Apr. 4), vs. COL (Apr. 6)
X factor: Kaapo Kahkonen. San Jose could have its goaltender of the future in Kahkonen. But that’s a pretty big “could.” Kahkonen has struggled — like many Sharks — throughout the season, and that’s called into question his candidacy for the No. 1 spot going forward. Ahead are a few potential final chances for Kahkonen to make his case.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.33%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Apr. 1), @ CGY (Apr. 2), vs. EDM (Apr. 5)
X factor: Trevor Zegras. Anaheim has a key negotiation incoming with pending RFA Zegras. The investment both sides make to one another will reflect well — or not — on the organization. Zegras can use this time to keep hockey fun in Anaheim and show off why he deserves a large incoming payday that ensures better days ahead for the Ducks.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 36.49%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Apr. 1), vs. OTT (Apr. 2), @ TOR (Apr. 4), @ NJ (Apr. 6)
X factor: Boone Jenner. Columbus is so decimated by injuries at this point that stalwarts like Jenner become more critical than ever. Maintaining positivity is always part of a captain’s job, and it’s imperative Jenner do that — through on- and off-ice leadership — to cap off Columbus’ season on a less-than-sour note.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 36.00%
Next seven days: vs. NJ (Apr. 1), @ CGY (Apr. 4), @ VAN (Apr. 6)
X factor: Jonathan Toews. Chicago isn’t looking for points. But the Blackhawks did get a big win this week when Toews returned to the fold. His presence should be a nice boost to wrap up Chicago’s regular season and will give Toews time to assess his own next chapter — whether that’s with the Blackhawks or not.
