California Teams in Playoff Contention

As April begins, the 2025-26 NHL regular season is drawing to a close. For the first time in recent years, all three California-based teams – the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks – are actively competing for a place in the playoffs.

Wednesday's Games and Playoff Odds

All three California teams are in action on Wednesday as part of a limited three-game schedule. According to data from Stathletes, the Ducks currently have the highest probability of making the playoffs at 99.9%.

Team-by-Team Playoff Chances

  • Anaheim Ducks: 99.9%
  • San Jose Sharks: 60.5%
  • Los Angeles Kings: 22.6%

The Sharks hold a strategic advantage with games in hand over key competitors like the Kings, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights. However, they must capitalize on these opportunities to improve their playoff chances.

Kings Face Uphill Battle

The Kings’ relatively low number of regulation wins presents a challenge in tiebreaker scenarios. They currently have the second-fewest regulation wins in the league, trailing only one team by a significant margin. Los Angeles needs to consistently secure wins to bolster their playoff hopes.

Playoff Scenarios and Remaining Games

It remains mathematically possible for all three California teams to qualify for the playoffs, contingent on struggles from the Oilers or Golden Knights. Wednesday night’s games will offer further insight into the feasibility of such a scenario.

Each team has 10 or fewer games remaining before the regular season concludes on April 16th. Daily updates on the NHL playoff watch will continue to provide details on the races for both playoff spots and positioning in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.

Understanding Playoff and Draft Lottery Rules

A team clinches a playoff spot when its “magic number” reaches zero, while mathematical elimination occurs when its “tragic number” reaches zero. The NHL employs a draft lottery to determine the first-round draft order.

Since 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the draft lottery, limiting eligibility for the No. 1 pick to 11 teams.

Note: An “x” indicates a team has clinched a playoff spot, while an “e” signifies elimination.