NHL playoff race could make shocking history in the East!

For the very first time in NHL history, a team could reach 100 points in the standings and still miss the playoffs. That’s the result of a completely wild playoff race unfolding in the Eastern Conference.

Heading into Friday’s games, the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets all sit tied with 88 points.

Among those three teams, only the Senators would qualify for the playoffs if the postseason started today.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals are also right in the mix, with 86 and 85 points respectively.

TVA Sports focused on the three teams currently tied at 88 points to point out how this race could make history and exposed the insanely tight race.

The Senators and Red Wings each have seven games remaining, while the Blue Jackets have six left to play.

It’s impossible for all three teams to win out, as Detroit and Columbus are set to face each other next Tuesday.

If one of those teams were to lose in overtime in that matchup, and all three teams managed to collect the maximum number of points available to them for the rest of the season, it would result in two teams finishing with at least 99 points and still missing the playoffs.

That would set a new record in the Gary Bettman era. The current record for most points by a team that missed the playoffs is 96, a mark shared by four teams:

• Boston Bruins (2014–15) — 41-27-14, 5th in the Atlantic
• Florida Panthers (2017–18) — 44-30-8, 4th in the Atlantic
• Montreal Canadiens (2018–19) — 44-30-8, 4th in the Atlantic
• Calgary Flames (2024–25) — 41-27-14, 4th in the Pacific

There are a few teams are on pace for huge seasons, but not all will survive the playoff race.