Avalanche: fighting to reassert authority in a tightly packed Central

Colorado began the year with eye-popping momentum and solid separation atop the division, but a recent stretch has put that cushion in jeopardy. The club has hit a rough patch, leaving questions about whether the dip is temporary or signals a larger trend. With a six-point gap closing behind them and a handful of important head-to-heads looming against division rivals, the Avalanche need to pivot quickly. The rest of the schedule features high-stakes games that could either restore their breathing room or tighten the race even further. How Colorado responds in these moments will largely determine whether they reclaim their typical advantage or endure a more precarious finish.

Kings: balancing a sturdy defensive base with the need for more finish

Los Angeles has leaned on elite defense and solid goaltending to stay in contention for the final postseason spots in the West. Yet without a steady scoring rhythm, even a stingy defense can struggle to convert, especially against seasoned opponents in meaningful late-season clashes. A midseason addition to the forward group has provided a spark, but the true test comes in a sequence of games against teams against whom points are precious. The next stretch—featuring several meetings with playoff-caliber opponents—will reveal whether the new lineup piece can translate into momentum and keep the Kings in reach of the top teams.

Sens: a determined run to climb into the crowded Eastern mix

Ottawa remains squarely in the mix for the final playoff spots, riding a blend of dangerous offensive zones and disciplined defend-and-counter play. The team has shown resilience—bouncing back from tougher stretches and getting timely performances from their depth. A healthier lineup and improved leverage on special teams have helped stabilize results recently, but the margin for error is slim. With several pivotal dates on the calendar, including key matchups against direct contenders, Ottawa must continue to rack up points while fending off rivals who are also fighting for the same scarce opportunities in a packed conference.

The stretch run will test more than just skill; teams must manage health, pace themselves through back-to-back games, and capitalize on every chance that could tip the standings. As the deadline approaches, the pressure on these three clubs could determine whether they become postseason protagonists or fall short of their goals this season.