Central Division, Western Conference
| GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | DIFF | PTS % | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 33 | 31 | 12 | 78 | 205 | 238 | -33 | 51.3% |
|
Based on 100,000 simulations run on Apr 07, 2026
| Opponent | Probability | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5.3% |
Probabilities sum to 5.6% (= playoff probability). Remaining 94.4% = miss playoffs.
The St. Louis Blues are on the brink, sitting at 73 points with just a 4.7% playoff probability despite a recent surge. Their odds jumped by 6.5%, but they still project to finish about three points shy of the expected 86.2-point cutoff in the Western Conference. With nine games left, the margin for error is effectively gone.
At 31-31-11 through 73 games, the Blues own a 50.0% points percentage and a -37 goal differential (195 scored, 232 allowed), both indicators of a team that has hovered around mediocrity for most of the season. Their overall team strength rating of 49.7% reflects that profile, though the split is dramatic: 58.9% at home versus just 43.0% on the road. The bright spot is recent form, tracking at 70.0%, which explains the uptick in playoff odds. Still, the underlying numbers suggest they’ve been outscored consistently, and sustaining a hot streak is essential given their projected finish of 82.8 points.
The Western Conference race is crowded and unforgiving. Nashville currently holds the final playoff spot at 77 points, projected for 86.0, while Los Angeles (76), Seattle (75), San Jose (75), and Winnipeg (74) are all packed tightly between 74 and 76 points. St. Louis sits 13th, four points back of the cutline with no games in hand on most of the teams ahead. Anaheim, Edmonton, Utah, and Vegas are effectively out of reach, all projected above 90 points. Realistically, the Blues would need to leapfrog at least five teams to claim the eighth seed, and several of those clubs project right around the 86-point threshold, meaning St. Louis likely needs closer to 88 or more to feel safe.
The Blues have nine games remaining, with a road-heavy 5-4 split and opponents carrying a 55.3% average strength, slightly above the league average of 53.2%. While the schedule is labeled as average in difficulty, their 43.0% road strength is a concern given the extra away game. They’re projected to earn 9.8 more points, which would leave them short of the 86.2-point cutoff. To control their fate, they likely need at least 13 or 14 points out of a possible 18, something like a 6-1-2 or 7-2-0 finish, and they’ll need help in the form of multiple teams ahead of them stalling out.
The Blues have given themselves a pulse with improved play, but the math remains daunting. At 4.7% playoff odds and a projected finish below the cutline, they need both a near-elite closing run and widespread regression from a tightly packed group above them. It’s not impossible, but St. Louis is firmly in long-shot territory entering the final stretch.
Your team's playoff hopes are fading — here are some teams worth cheering for:
| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 22 | 6 | 104 | +47 | 63.9% | 100.0% | 9.3% |
Carolina plays a fast, structured game that Blues fans can appreciate — heavy forecheck, strong blue line, and depth throughout the lineup. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov bring the skill, while the Canes’ relentless pace makes every series feel intense. They’re a legitimate contender without any Central Division baggage.
| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 22 | 6 | 102 | +66 | 67.8% | 100.0% | 10.8% |
If you want proven playoff performers, Tampa Bay is an easy bandwagon. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point can take over games, and the Lightning still know how to manage a long postseason run. It’s a chance to watch high-end skill and big-game experience in the Eastern Conference.
| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 23 | 8 | 100 | +35 | 60.0% | 100.0% | 5.6% |
Buffalo offers the fun mix of contender and rising-core energy. Tage Thompson headlines an explosive offense, and the Sabres play an up-tempo style that makes for entertaining hockey. They haven’t had sustained playoff success in years, so there’s a fresh-story feel here.
| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 29 | 9 | 87 | +8 | 56.7% | 98.4% | 5.4% |
If you’re just in it for superstar brilliance, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are must-watch. Edmonton’s power play can flip a series in a week, and their push to finally break through adds real drama. They’re Western Conference, but outside the Central, so it’s easier to get on board.
| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 31 | 5 | 87 | -14 | 50.6% | 96.7% | 3.2% |
Anaheim is a sneakier pick — a team that’s outperformed expectations and leaned into a speed-and-skill identity. With a young core driving the offense, they’re the kind of group that can get hot and make things chaotic. If you like rooting for a dangerous underdog, this is your ride.
Win percentage needed in remaining games to achieve each playoff probability threshold. A checkmark (✓) means the team has mathematically clinched a playoff spot. A dash (—) means the threshold is impossible to reach.
Understanding the factors that drive the 5.6% playoff probability
Playoff probabilities are calculated through Monte Carlo simulation, running 10,000+ scenarios of the remaining season. Each game is simulated based on team strength ratings, home ice advantage (~55% win rate), and opponent matchups.
Projected to finish with 83–86 points (middle 50%). The playoff cutline is typically 88–90 points. Finishes above the cutline in 6.0% of simulations.
| # | Team | PTS | GP | Left | STR | L10 | SOS | Proj PTS | Playoff % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 87 | 77 | 5 | 56.7% | 70.0% | 50.5% | 92.8 | 98.4% | |
| 5 | 87 | 77 | 5 | 50.6% | 50.0% | 48.3% | 92.8 | 96.7% | |
| 6 | 86 | 76 | 6 | 57.2% | 60.0% | 53.6% | 93.1 | 98.3% | |
| 7 | 86 | 77 | 5 | 52.5% | 50.0% | 47.1% | 92.0 | 96.2% | |
| 8 | 81 | 76 | 6 | 52.7% | 70.0% | 52.4% | 87.9 | 44.3% | |
| 9 | 81 | 76 | 6 | 50.1% | 60.0% | 43.3% | 88.1 | 36.7% | |
| 10 | 79 | 75 | 7 | 46.2% | 45.0% | 46.1% | 86.7 | 22.6% | |
| 11 | 78 | 76 | 6 | 50.7% | 70.0% | 55.9% | 84.7 | 5.6% | |
| 12 | 78 | 76 | 6 | 50.5% | 60.0% | 52.6% | 83.5 | 1.1% | |
| Game | Impact | |
|---|---|---|
| SJS vs CHI |
SJS win:
-0.6%
CHI win:
+0.7%
|
| Result | Impact | |
|---|---|---|
| COL 2 - STL 3 | STL played |
+2.6%
|
| Net: | +2.6% | |
| Overall Strength | Home Strength | Away Strength | Pythagorean Win % | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50.7% | 58.5% | 45.7% | 42.6% | 70.0% |
| # | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HIT | BLK | TOI | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Robert Thomas | C | 58 | 21 | 35 | 56 | +21 | 0 | 10 | 37 | 19:00 | |
| 89 | Pavel Buchnevich | L | 75 | 17 | 27 | 44 | -11 | 0 | 28 | 39 | 18:06 | |
| 81 | Dylan Holloway | L | 53 | 19 | 24 | 43 | +11 | 0 | 122 | 38 | 18:11 | |
| 21 | Jimmy Snuggerud | R | 64 | 17 | 25 | 42 | +14 | 0 | 68 | 35 | 16:37 | |
| 25 | Jordan Kyrou | R | 66 | 17 | 24 | 41 | -6 | 0 | 13 | 24 | 15:49 | |
| 72 | Justin Faulk → DET | D | 61 | 11 | 21 | 32 | -3 | 0 | 49 | 102 | 22:29 | |
| 63 | Jake Neighbours | L | 63 | 14 | 17 | 31 | -6 | 0 | 135 | 34 | 15:17 | |
| 6 | Philip Broberg | D | 75 | 6 | 25 | 31 | +8 | 0 | 34 | 91 | 23:26 | |
| 10 | Brayden Schenn → NYI | C | 61 | 12 | 16 | 28 | -23 | 0 | 138 | 27 | 16:40 | |
| 22 | Pius Suter | C | 59 | 13 | 14 | 27 | +9 | 0 | 36 | 23 | 16:00 | |
| 17 | Cam Fowler | D | 76 | 3 | 24 | 27 | -12 | 0 | 9 | 66 | 21:15 | |
| 54 | Dalibor Dvorsky | R | 65 | 11 | 8 | 19 | -3 | 0 | 77 | 22 | 14:21 | |
| 55 | Colton Parayko | D | 71 | 2 | 14 | 16 | -9 | 0 | 89 | 164 | 22:23 | |
| 29 | Jonatan Berggren ← DET | R | 32 | 6 | 8 | 14 | +1 | 0 | 28 | 10 | 14:27 | |
| 70 | Oskar Sundqvist | C | 50 | 4 | 10 | 14 | -20 | 0 | 62 | 26 | 12:59 | |
| 75 | Tyler Tucker | D | 63 | 3 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 0 | 94 | 45 | 14:09 | |
| 26 | Nathan Walker | L | 43 | 4 | 7 | 11 | -9 | 0 | 167 | 33 | 11:58 | |
| 17 | Mathieu Joseph → LAK | R | 39 | 2 | 9 | 11 | -5 | 0 | 86 | 28 | 12:40 | |
| 23 | Logan Mailloux | D | 61 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -13 | 0 | 85 | 54 | 16:18 | |
| 28 | Otto Stenberg | C | 29 | 2 | 7 | 9 | +1 | 0 | 49 | 15 | 13:37 | |
| 13 | Alexey Toropchenko | R | 59 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -13 | 0 | 117 | 53 | 11:58 | |
| 72 | Nick Bjugstad | C | 35 | 6 | 1 | 7 | -7 | 0 | 73 | 22 | 11:38 | |
| 21 | Robby Fabbri → MIN | C | 15 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -3 | 0 | 35 | 8 | 12:35 | |
| 51 | Matthew Kessel | D | 28 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 0 | 20 | 22 | 12:31 | |
| 4 | Justin Holl ← DET | D | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 15:24 | |
| 41 | Theo Lindstein | D | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +5 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 15:22 | |
| 37 | Jack Finley | C | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 10:58 | |
| 92 | Jonathan Drouin ← NYI | L | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 15:04 | |
| 85 | Alexandre Texier → MTL | L | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 10:15 |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Score | Result | Opp Strength | Playoff Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 05 | Colorado Avalanche | Away | 2 - 3 | W | 68.8% | +2.6% |
| Apr 03 | Anaheim Ducks | Away | 2 - 6 | W | 50.6% | +1.8% |
| Apr 01 | Los Angeles Kings | Away | 2 - 1 (OT) | OTL | 50.1% | -3.4% |
| Mar 30 | San Jose Sharks | Away | 5 - 4 | L | 46.2% | -6.7% |
| Mar 28 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Home | 5 - 1 | W | 47.0% | +2.9% |
| Mar 26 | San Jose Sharks | Home | 2 - 1 (OT) | W | 46.2% | +1.5% |
| Mar 24 | Washington Capitals | Home | 3 - 0 | W | 55.6% | +1.3% |
| Mar 21 | Vancouver Canucks | Away | 1 - 3 | W | 30.1% | +0.9% |
| Mar 18 | Calgary Flames | Away | 2 - 1 (OT) | OTL | 47.3% | -0.9% |
| Mar 15 | Winnipeg Jets | Away | 3 - 2 | L | 50.5% | -1.8% |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Opp Strength | Exp Pts | Playoff Swing | Predicted Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07, 20:00 | vs Colorado Avalanche | Home | 68.8% | 1.06 | 7.6% | COL (54%) |
| Apr 09, 20:00 | vs Winnipeg Jets | Home | 50.5% | 1.21 | 7.0% | STL (55%) |
| Apr 11, 17:00 | @ Chicago Blackhawks | Away | 40.9% | 1.19 | - | STL (54%) |
| Apr 13, 20:00 | vs Minnesota Wild | Home | 59.9% | 1.10 | - | MIN (51%) |
| Apr 14, 21:30 | vs Pittsburgh Penguins | Home | 58.3% | 1.11 | - | PIT (51%) |
| Apr 16, 20:00 | @ Utah Mammoth | Away | 57.2% | 1.01 | - | UTA (57%) |
| Averages (Next 6 games): | 6.7 pts | 4.1% | ||||
Expected points are calculated based on win probabilities: (2 × win%) + (0.25 × loss%) for overtime losses. Opponent strength ratings help identify which games are easier or harder opportunities to earn points.