How Crucial is October?
At each checkpoint the standings are cut to that season’s real playoff field. Ties on points follow that league’s tiebreaker list. The NHL, the PWHL, and the SPHL start with points percentage. The AHL and the ECHL start with regulation wins. A leftover coin toss is a random draw. “In” is the share of those teams that reached the playoffs. “Out” is the share that were outside the cut and reached them anyway. The question is the one Paul Pidutti asked for the NHL in Daily Faceoff, and the one Elliotte Friedman opened in 30 Thoughts when he showed how early a team falls out of the race. The NHL, AHL, ECHL, and SPHL are the ten full seasons from 2014–15 through 2025–26, skipping the cancelled 2019–20 season and the shortened 2020–21 season. The PWHL is 2023–24 through 2025–26. Base rates are 160 of 312 in the NHL (51.3%), 12 of 20 in the PWHL (60%), 158 of 279 in the ECHL (56.6%), 195 of 310 in the AHL (62.9%), and 78 of 99 in the SPHL (78.8%).
In the field
November 1 is a few weeks after the fall openers. American Thanksgiving is about six weeks in, and the games-played spread inside one league that Thursday is several games wide. The 5-, 10-, and 25-game marks wait until every team has played the same number. Percent of teams sitting in a playoff spot who made the playoffs.
Axis runs from 50% to 100%, and the line is 75%. The PWHL is left off November 1 and Thanksgiving. Those dates are before it opens, and the games-played bars already cover that part of its season. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season. In the ECHL, 10 equal games (74.1%) already holds more spots than Thanksgiving (72.8%). The NHL clears 75% at Thanksgiving, 125 of 160. Source: ten full seasons, 2014–15 through 2025–26, skipping 2019–20 and 2020–21. The PWHL is three seasons.
Outside the field
These are the teams the checkpoint left out, and the share of them that still made the playoffs. The AHL field is 16 through 2018–19 and 23 after that, so the unsorted miss rate is 37.1%, against about 28% in the recent 23-team fields. By Thanksgiving, 23.0% of NHL teams outside the cut still get in. The SPHL, which sends 8 of 10 or 11, is already down to 23.8% by 10 games, then gives some of that back over Christmas.
Axis runs from 0% to 75%, and the line is 25%, a 75% miss. The PWHL is left off November 1 and Thanksgiving. The AHL and the SPHL are still above 50% at 5 games. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season.
| Checkpoint | NHL in | NHL out | PWHL in | PWHL out | ECHL in | ECHL out | AHL in | AHL out | SPHL in | SPHL out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Thanksgiving | 62.5% | 40.0% | — | — | — | — | 64.5%* | 52.0%* | — | — |
| 5 games | 62.5% | 39.5% | 66.7% | 50.0% | 70.9% | 38.0% | 70.3% | 50.4% | 85.9%* | 52.4%* |
| November 1 | 68.8% | 32.9% | — | — | 66.5% | 43.8% | 70.3% | 50.4% | 87.2%* | 47.6%* |
| 10 games | 67.5% | 34.2% | 75.0% | 37.5% | 74.1% | 33.9% | 73.8% | 44.3% | 93.6%* | 23.8%* |
| American Thanksgiving | 78.1% | 23.0% | — | — | 72.8% | 35.5% | 74.9% | 42.6% | 93.6%* | 23.8%* |
| 25 games | 80.6% | 20.4% | 75.0% | 33.3% | 79.1% | 27.3% | 81.0% | 32.2% | 92.3%* | 28.6%* |
| Christmas Day | 81.2% | 19.7% | 62.5% | 50.0% | 76.6% | 30.6% | 78.5% | 36.5% | 88.5% | 42.9% |
| New Year's Day | 81.9% | 19.1% | 62.5% | 50.0% | 77.2% | 29.8% | 82.6% | 29.6% | 92.3% | 28.6% |
| MLK Jr. Day | 82.5% | 18.4% | 66.7% | 50.0% | 79.7% | 26.4% | 83.6% | 27.8% | 94.9% | 19.0% |
The PWHL is blank on November 1 and Thanksgiving. Christmas and New Year’s there are 2024–25 and 2025–26 only, and 25 games is those two seasons as well. Canadian Thanksgiving for the NHL and the AHL is the six seasons that had opened. Christmas Day is inside the break for the fall leagues: they are dark on December 24 and 25. New Year’s includes games played on January 1. MLK Jr. Day is the third Monday in January. An asterisk means at least one season’s cut was still tied after that league’s tiebreakers, so a coin toss decided the last spot.
Where the spots reach 75%
The cut has exactly as many places as teams that make the playoffs, so “75% of playoff teams are already in a spot” is the same count as the “in” column above. Each mark is the earliest point where that league’s pool is at 75% and every later game, or every later day through the end of the regular season, stays at or above it.
By games played
Horizontal axis is games played. Vertical axis is the share of teams in a playoff spot who make the playoffs, from 50% to 100%. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season. The line is sampled. The sustained lock can fall between two points. The NHL dips at game 16 and locks at game 17, between the game-15 and game-20 points. The ECHL locks at game 20. The PWHL locks at game 9, between the game-8 and game-10 points.
By calendar date
Horizontal axis is the calendar date. Vertical axis runs from 50% to 100%. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season. A league’s line starts on the first of these dates when a season had opened and filled its cut, so October is only the seasons already underway. October 8 is three NHL seasons and two AHL seasons. The ECHL starts October 15. The SPHL starts October 22. The PWHL starts December 1, when two of its three seasons have opened, and all three are in from January 15. November 1 is the first date the four fall leagues are underway in every season here. A single date mixes teams that are a different number of days past opening night, so this line sits a little off the day lock in the table. The NHL crosses 75% on November 22 and stays over. The AHL’s sampled dates cross on November 22. The ECHL is still at 72.2% on December 7 and over on December 15.
| League | Base rate | Games mark | Days after opener | At that day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | 51.3% | 17 games, 122/160 | Day 41, Nov 17–18 | 120/160 |
| PWHL | 60% | 9 games, 10/12 | Day 51, Jan 11–Feb 21 | 10/12 |
| ECHL | 56.6% | 20 games, 122/158 | Day 54, Dec 10 | 122/158 |
| AHL | 62.9% | 11 games, 147/195 | Day 58, Dec 7 | 149/195 |
| SPHL | 78.8% | 1 game, 66/78* | Opening day | 63/78 |
An asterisk means a coin toss decided the cut in at least one season at that games mark.
The NHL’s own playoff rate is 51.3%, so 75% is a real cut above an unsorted list. Game 16 is the last dip. Game 17 locks at 122 of 160, and the rate stays over through game 82. On the calendar the last dip is day 40. Day 41 locks at 120 of 160, November 17 in 2025–26 and November 18 in 2014–15. Thanksgiving itself is 125 of 160. The AHL base rate over these ten seasons is 62.9%. The field is 16 teams through 2018–19 and 23 from 2021–22 on. Game 10 is the last dip. Game 11 locks at 147 of 195. The every-day lock is later: day 58 is 149 of 195, December 7 in both 2014–15 and 2025–26, because some days between the sampled dates fall back under 75%. The single calendar date November 22 is already 147 of 195, 75.4%, and the sampled dates stay over from there. The ECHL locks at 20 equal games, 122 of 158. Game 19 is the last dip. Day 54 is December 10, again 122 of 158. Thanksgiving itself is still 115 of 158. The SPHL sends 8 of 10 or 11, and in 2014–15 it sent 6, so an unsorted list is already 78.8%. Opening day is 63 of 78 with some teams yet to play, and the pool never goes under 75% after that. Once every team has played once, 66 of 78 playoff teams are already in a spot. The PWHL’s own rate is 60%. The last dip is game 8. Game 9 locks at 10 of 12, and it stays at or above through game 30. Day 50 is the last calendar dip. Day 51 locks at 10 of 12. That day is February 21 in 2023–24 and January 11 in 2025–26.
Where sitting outside means a miss
The reverse cut: of the teams ranked outside that season’s playoff field, 75% miss the playoffs, and every later game or later day stays at or above that. The number of teams outside equals the number that eventually miss, so this is also “75% of the teams that miss are already outside.” An unsorted list only misses at the league’s own miss rate: 48.7% in the NHL, 40% in the PWHL, 43.4% in the ECHL, 37.1% in the AHL, and 21.2% in the SPHL.
By games played
Horizontal axis is games played. Vertical axis is the share of teams outside the cut who still make the playoffs, from 0% to 80%. The line at 25% is a 75% miss. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season. The NHL is under 25% from game 19. The AHL and the ECHL are still above it at game 30. The SPHL is under 25% at game 10, back over after that, and the lock is game 29.
By calendar date
Horizontal axis is the same calendar dates, and each league’s line starts on the same date as in the chart above. Vertical axis is the share of teams outside the cut who still make the playoffs, from 0% to 60%. An asterisk is a coin toss at the cut in at least one season. October AHL sits just over 50%, and 25% is the miss lock. November 22 in the NHL is 24.3%, December 1 is back at 25%, and December 15 is the first sampled date that stays under. The ECHL is under 25% from February 1. The AHL crosses under it on February 6. The SPHL touches it on November 22, climbs back over Christmas, and is under it again from February 1.
| League | Chance miss rate | Games lock | Days lock | Still in at games lock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | 48.7% | 19 games, 117/152 miss | Day 45, Nov 21–22 | 35/152 |
| PWHL | 40% | 27 games, 5/6 miss | Day 124, Mar 25–May 4 | 1/6 |
| ECHL | 43.4% | 39 games, 93/121 miss | Day 112, Feb 6 | 28/121 |
| AHL | 37.1% | 47 games, 89/115 miss | Day 119, Feb 6 | 26/115 |
| SPHL | 21.2% | 29 games, 17/21 miss* | Day 85, Jan 10–17 | 4/21 |
An asterisk means a coin toss decided the cut in at least one season at that games mark.
In the NHL, sitting outside the cut turns into a 75% miss early. Game 18 is the last dip. Game 19 leaves 35 of 152 outsiders still on track to make it, and that share stays under 25% through game 82. Day 44 is the last calendar dip. Day 45 locks with 38 of 152 still in, November 21 in 2025–26 and November 22 in 2014–15. By Christmas the still-in share is 30 of 152. The minors take much longer, because more of the league qualifies. The AHL still has 34 of 115 outsiders make it at game 30. Game 46 is the last dip. Game 47 leaves 26 of 115, and day 119 is the calendar lock, February 6 in both 2014–15 and 2025–26, with 27 of 115 still in. The ECHL locks at 39 equal games, 28 of 121 still in. Day 112 is February 6, with 25 of 121 still in. MLK Jr. Day is earlier on the calendar and the day-by-day series is still short of the lock then. The SPHL is under a 75% miss at game 10, back to 7 of 21 still in at game 20, and the lock is game 29 with 4 of 21 still in. Day 85 is January 17 in 2014–15 and January 10 in 2025–26, with 4 of 21 still in. Christmas is still 9 of 21 outsiders getting in, because the holiday break mixes seasons that have not reached that day. The PWHL falls to 2 of 6 still in at games 25 and 26, once the 24-game season is over. Game 27 is the lock, 5 of 6. Game 30, with that short season finished, has none of the remaining six still in. Day 123 is the last calendar dip. Day 124 still has 2 of 8 in, and that day is May 4 in 2023–24 and March 25 in 2025–26.
Holidays
Each table is one season. “In a spot” is how many teams inside that year’s cut went on to the playoffs. Column headings sort the rows. Date sorts by the full date. Day sorts by month and day and ignores the year, then uses the year to order the same day. The PWHL is not in the November 1 or Thanksgiving tables. An asterisk means a coin toss decided that season’s last spot.
Canadian Thanksgiving
The second Monday in October is before opening night for the ECHL, the SPHL, and the PWHL in every season here. The NHL had opened in six of the ten seasons. Those six land at 60 of 96 teams inside the field, 62.5%, and the years do not agree: 12 of 16 in 2014–15, and 8 of 16 in 2025–26. The AHL had also opened in six seasons, 71 of 110, 64.5%. The two recent AHL seasons are 19 of 23 and 18 of 23. The four older ones run from 7 of 16 in 2014–15 to 10 of 16 in 2017–18.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Oct 13, 2014 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Oct 13, 2014 | 7/16 | 43.8%* |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Oct 12, 2015 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Oct 12, 2015 | 8/16 | 50.0% |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Oct 9, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Oct 9, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Oct 8, 2018 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Oct 8, 2018 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Oct 14, 2024 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Oct 14, 2024 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Oct 13, 2025 | 8/16 | 50.0% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Oct 13, 2025 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
November 1
By November 1 every fall league has opened in all ten seasons. The NHL is 110 of 160, 68.8%. The high season is 13 of 16 in 2022–23. The low is 9 of 16 in 2021–22. The AHL is 137 of 195, 70.3%. Two seasons sit at 8 of 16, 2016–17 and 2018–19, and 2023–24 is 21 of 23. The ECHL is 105 of 158, 66.5%. The SPHL is already 68 of 78, 87.2%, and two seasons are 8 of 8. 2016–17 and 2017–18 still needed a coin toss for the last SPHL spot.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Nov 1, 2014 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| ECHL | 2014–15 | Nov 1, 2014 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Nov 1, 2014 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| SPHL | 2014–15 | Nov 1, 2014 | 4/6 | 66.7% |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Nov 1, 2015 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| ECHL | 2015–16 | Nov 1, 2015 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Nov 1, 2015 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2015–16 | Nov 1, 2015 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2016–17 | Nov 1, 2016 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2016–17 | Nov 1, 2016 | 13/15 | 86.7% |
| AHL | 2016–17 | Nov 1, 2016 | 8/16 | 50.0% |
| SPHL | 2016–17 | Nov 1, 2016 | 7/8 | 87.5%* |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Nov 1, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| ECHL | 2017–18 | Nov 1, 2017 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Nov 1, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2017–18 | Nov 1, 2017 | 7/8 | 87.5%* |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Nov 1, 2018 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| ECHL | 2018–19 | Nov 1, 2018 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Nov 1, 2018 | 8/16 | 50.0% |
| SPHL | 2018–19 | Nov 1, 2018 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2021–22 | Nov 1, 2021 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| ECHL | 2021–22 | Nov 1, 2021 | 10/15 | 66.7% |
| AHL | 2021–22 | Nov 1, 2021 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
| SPHL | 2021–22 | Nov 1, 2021 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2022–23 | Nov 1, 2022 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2022–23 | Nov 1, 2022 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2022–23 | Nov 1, 2022 | 16/23 | 69.6% |
| SPHL | 2022–23 | Nov 1, 2022 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2023–24 | Nov 1, 2023 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2023–24 | Nov 1, 2023 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| AHL | 2023–24 | Nov 1, 2023 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2023–24 | Nov 1, 2023 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Nov 1, 2024 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| ECHL | 2024–25 | Nov 1, 2024 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Nov 1, 2024 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
| SPHL | 2024–25 | Nov 1, 2024 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Nov 1, 2025 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| ECHL | 2025–26 | Nov 1, 2025 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Nov 1, 2025 | 17/23 | 73.9% |
| SPHL | 2025–26 | Nov 1, 2025 | 6/8 | 75.0% |
American Thanksgiving
The fourth Thursday in November is the checkpoint Friedman’s readers and Pidutti’s NHL table both circle. Here the NHL is 125 of 160, 78.1%. One season sits at 11 of 16, 2017–18, and 2025–26 is 12 of 16. 2022–23 is 14 of 16. The ECHL is still short of 75%, at 115 of 158, 72.8%. The AHL is 146 of 195, 74.9%. The low year is 2018–19, 9 of 16. The high is 2024–25, 20 of 23. The SPHL is 73 of 78, 93.6%, including five seasons at 8 of 8. 2014–15 is 5 of 6. The 2016–17 SPHL cut still needed a coin toss.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Nov 27, 2014 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2014–15 | Nov 27, 2014 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Nov 27, 2014 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2014–15 | Nov 27, 2014 | 5/6 | 83.3% |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Nov 26, 2015 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2015–16 | Nov 26, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Nov 26, 2015 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| SPHL | 2015–16 | Nov 26, 2015 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2016–17 | Nov 24, 2016 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2016–17 | Nov 24, 2016 | 10/15 | 66.7% |
| AHL | 2016–17 | Nov 24, 2016 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| SPHL | 2016–17 | Nov 24, 2016 | 7/8 | 87.5%* |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Nov 23, 2017 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| ECHL | 2017–18 | Nov 23, 2017 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Nov 23, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2017–18 | Nov 23, 2017 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Nov 22, 2018 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2018–19 | Nov 22, 2018 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Nov 22, 2018 | 9/16 | 56.2% |
| SPHL | 2018–19 | Nov 22, 2018 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2021–22 | Nov 25, 2021 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2021–22 | Nov 25, 2021 | 11/15 | 73.3% |
| AHL | 2021–22 | Nov 25, 2021 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
| SPHL | 2021–22 | Nov 25, 2021 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2022–23 | Nov 24, 2022 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2022–23 | Nov 24, 2022 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2022–23 | Nov 24, 2022 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2022–23 | Nov 24, 2022 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2023–24 | Nov 23, 2023 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2023–24 | Nov 23, 2023 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| AHL | 2023–24 | Nov 23, 2023 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2023–24 | Nov 23, 2023 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Nov 28, 2024 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2024–25 | Nov 28, 2024 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Nov 28, 2024 | 20/23 | 87.0% |
| SPHL | 2024–25 | Nov 28, 2024 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Nov 27, 2025 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2025–26 | Nov 27, 2025 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Nov 27, 2025 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2025–26 | Nov 27, 2025 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
Christmas
These leagues are dark on December 24 and 25, so Christmas is the break standings. The NHL is 130 of 160, 81.2%. The low year is 2025–26, 11 of 16. The high is 2023–24, 15 of 16. The AHL is 153 of 195, 78.5%. The low years are 2017–18 and 2018–19, both 10 of 16. The ECHL is 121 of 158, 76.6%. The SPHL dips to 69 of 78, 88.5%, and 2025–26 is 6 of 8, because the break does not catch every team on the same number of games. The PWHL figure is two seasons, 5 of 8. The 2023–24 season had not opened.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Dec 25, 2014 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2014–15 | Dec 25, 2014 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Dec 25, 2014 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| SPHL | 2014–15 | Dec 25, 2014 | 5/6 | 83.3% |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Dec 25, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2015–16 | Dec 25, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Dec 25, 2015 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2015–16 | Dec 25, 2015 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2016–17 | Dec 25, 2016 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2016–17 | Dec 25, 2016 | 12/15 | 80.0% |
| AHL | 2016–17 | Dec 25, 2016 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| SPHL | 2016–17 | Dec 25, 2016 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Dec 25, 2017 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2017–18 | Dec 25, 2017 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Dec 25, 2017 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2017–18 | Dec 25, 2017 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Dec 25, 2018 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2018–19 | Dec 25, 2018 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Dec 25, 2018 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2018–19 | Dec 25, 2018 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2021–22 | Dec 25, 2021 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2021–22 | Dec 25, 2021 | 12/15 | 80.0% |
| AHL | 2021–22 | Dec 25, 2021 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
| SPHL | 2021–22 | Dec 25, 2021 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2022–23 | Dec 25, 2022 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2022–23 | Dec 25, 2022 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2022–23 | Dec 25, 2022 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2022–23 | Dec 25, 2022 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2023–24 | Dec 25, 2023 | 15/16 | 93.8% |
| ECHL | 2023–24 | Dec 25, 2023 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2023–24 | Dec 25, 2023 | 20/23 | 87.0% |
| SPHL | 2023–24 | Dec 25, 2023 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Dec 25, 2024 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| PWHL | 2024–25 | Dec 25, 2024 | 2/4 | 50.0% |
| ECHL | 2024–25 | Dec 25, 2024 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Dec 25, 2024 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2024–25 | Dec 25, 2024 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Dec 25, 2025 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| PWHL | 2025–26 | Dec 25, 2025 | 3/4 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2025–26 | Dec 25, 2025 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Dec 25, 2025 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2025–26 | Dec 25, 2025 | 6/8 | 75.0% |
New Year’s Day
January 1 games are included. The NHL moves to 131 of 160. The AHL stays at 161 of 195, 82.6%, with three straight seasons at 21 of 23. The low year is 2018–19, 10 of 16. The ECHL is 122 of 158, 77.2%. The SPHL is 72 of 78, 92.3%, and four seasons are 8 of 8. 2014–15 is 5 of 6. The PWHL is again the two later seasons, 5 of 8. New Year’s Day 2024 was opening night, so 2023–24 is not in this table.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Jan 1, 2015 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2014–15 | Jan 1, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Jan 1, 2015 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2014–15 | Jan 1, 2015 | 5/6 | 83.3% |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Jan 1, 2016 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2015–16 | Jan 1, 2016 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Jan 1, 2016 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2015–16 | Jan 1, 2016 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2016–17 | Jan 1, 2017 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2016–17 | Jan 1, 2017 | 12/15 | 80.0% |
| AHL | 2016–17 | Jan 1, 2017 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2016–17 | Jan 1, 2017 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Jan 1, 2018 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2017–18 | Jan 1, 2018 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Jan 1, 2018 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| SPHL | 2017–18 | Jan 1, 2018 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Jan 1, 2019 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2018–19 | Jan 1, 2019 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Jan 1, 2019 | 10/16 | 62.5% |
| SPHL | 2018–19 | Jan 1, 2019 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2021–22 | Jan 1, 2022 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2021–22 | Jan 1, 2022 | 12/15 | 80.0% |
| AHL | 2021–22 | Jan 1, 2022 | 17/23 | 73.9% |
| SPHL | 2021–22 | Jan 1, 2022 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2022–23 | Jan 1, 2023 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2022–23 | Jan 1, 2023 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2022–23 | Jan 1, 2023 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2022–23 | Jan 1, 2023 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2023–24 | Jan 1, 2024 | 15/16 | 93.8% |
| ECHL | 2023–24 | Jan 1, 2024 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| AHL | 2023–24 | Jan 1, 2024 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2023–24 | Jan 1, 2024 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Jan 1, 2025 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| PWHL | 2024–25 | Jan 1, 2025 | 3/4 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2024–25 | Jan 1, 2025 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Jan 1, 2025 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2024–25 | Jan 1, 2025 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Jan 1, 2026 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| PWHL | 2025–26 | Jan 1, 2026 | 2/4 | 50.0% |
| ECHL | 2025–26 | Jan 1, 2026 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Jan 1, 2026 | 20/23 | 87.0% |
| SPHL | 2025–26 | Jan 1, 2026 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
MLK Jr. Day
MLK Jr. Day is the third Monday in January. The NHL is 132 of 160, 82.5%. The ECHL is 126 of 158, 79.7%, and 2025–26 is 16 of 16. The AHL is 163 of 195, 83.6%, with 2024–25 at 22 of 23 and 2018–19 at 11 of 16. The SPHL is 74 of 78, 94.9%, and six seasons are a perfect cut. The PWHL is 8 of 12. In 2023–24 that Monday was two weeks after opening night, and that season is 2 of 4.
| NHL | 2014–15 | Jan 19, 2015 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2014–15 | Jan 19, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2014–15 | Jan 19, 2015 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| SPHL | 2014–15 | Jan 19, 2015 | 6/6 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2015–16 | Jan 18, 2016 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2015–16 | Jan 18, 2016 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2015–16 | Jan 18, 2016 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| SPHL | 2015–16 | Jan 18, 2016 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2016–17 | Jan 16, 2017 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| ECHL | 2016–17 | Jan 16, 2017 | 12/15 | 80.0% |
| AHL | 2016–17 | Jan 16, 2017 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2016–17 | Jan 16, 2017 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2017–18 | Jan 15, 2018 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2017–18 | Jan 15, 2018 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| AHL | 2017–18 | Jan 15, 2018 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| SPHL | 2017–18 | Jan 15, 2018 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2018–19 | Jan 21, 2019 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2018–19 | Jan 21, 2019 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2018–19 | Jan 21, 2019 | 11/16 | 68.8% |
| SPHL | 2018–19 | Jan 21, 2019 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2021–22 | Jan 17, 2022 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2021–22 | Jan 17, 2022 | 11/15 | 73.3% |
| AHL | 2021–22 | Jan 17, 2022 | 18/23 | 78.3% |
| SPHL | 2021–22 | Jan 17, 2022 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2022–23 | Jan 16, 2023 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| ECHL | 2022–23 | Jan 16, 2023 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2022–23 | Jan 16, 2023 | 21/23 | 91.3% |
| SPHL | 2022–23 | Jan 16, 2023 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
| NHL | 2023–24 | Jan 15, 2024 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| PWHL | 2023–24 | Jan 15, 2024 | 2/4 | 50.0% |
| ECHL | 2023–24 | Jan 15, 2024 | 12/16 | 75.0% |
| AHL | 2023–24 | Jan 15, 2024 | 20/23 | 87.0% |
| SPHL | 2023–24 | Jan 15, 2024 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2024–25 | Jan 20, 2025 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| PWHL | 2024–25 | Jan 20, 2025 | 3/4 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2024–25 | Jan 20, 2025 | 14/16 | 87.5% |
| AHL | 2024–25 | Jan 20, 2025 | 22/23 | 95.7% |
| SPHL | 2024–25 | Jan 20, 2025 | 8/8 | 100.0% |
| NHL | 2025–26 | Jan 19, 2026 | 13/16 | 81.2% |
| PWHL | 2025–26 | Jan 19, 2026 | 3/4 | 75.0% |
| ECHL | 2025–26 | Jan 19, 2026 | 16/16 | 100.0% |
| AHL | 2025–26 | Jan 19, 2026 | 19/23 | 82.6% |
| SPHL | 2025–26 | Jan 19, 2026 | 7/8 | 87.5% |
Games played
These marks wait until every team has played the same number, which the holiday standings do not. The bands are league by league, from the share of teams at that point total who made the playoffs. A playoff lock is 100% with at least five team-seasons. Near lock is 85% or better, lean yes is 65% or better, a toss up is 45% or better, lean no is 20% or better, and a long shot is below that. A PWHL regulation win is worth 3, so its point totals are not on the same scale as the other four leagues.
Through 5 games
Five games is too early for a lock in the NHL, the ECHL, or the AHL. The NHL’s best group is 8 or more points, 49 of 73, 67.1%, and 10 points alone was 9 of 10. Two points or fewer is 12 of 40. Zero or one point is 0 of 10. The SPHL is the league that already separates: 10 points is 5 of 5, and 6 to 9 points is 45 of 48. The PWHL lock is 10 or more points, 5 of 5. Eight or fewer is 5 of 12, and that includes four team-seasons at 3 or 4 points who all made it. That sample is too small to treat as its own lock.
| Read | NHL | PWHL | ECHL | AHL | SPHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoff lock | — | 10 or more, 5/5 | — | — | 10, 5/5 |
| Near lock | — | — | — | 10, 9/10 | 6–9, 45/48 |
| Lean yes | 8–10, 49/73 | 9, 2/3 | 7–10, 75/95 | 6–9, 108/157 | 3–5, 23/31 |
| Toss up | 4–7, 99/189 | 8 or fewer, 5/12 | 4–6, 67/127 | 2–5, 74/132 | 2, 4/7 |
| Lean no | 2–3, 12/40 | — | 0–3, 16/57 | 0–1, 4/11 | — |
| Long shot | 0–1, 0/10 | — | — | — | 0–1, 1/8 |
Through 10 games
This is the scale Pidutti used for the current NHL table. Across these ten seasons, 16 or more NHL points is 24 of 26, 92.3%. His last-five-seasons count of 15 or more points was 21 of 23. Here 14 or 15 points is 42 of 55, 76.4%, and 7 or fewer is 2 of 41. The ECHL’s near lock starts at 16 points, 25 of 28, and 4 or fewer is 0 of 5. The AHL lock is 18 or more points, 9 of 9. That includes Utica’s 20 points in 2021–22. Utica won the North Division that year and made the playoffs. Fourteen to 17 points is 54 of 67. The SPHL lock is 15 or more, 20 of 20, and 6 or fewer is 2 of 12. The PWHL lock is 17 or more, 5 of 5, in a 20-team sample. Springfield had 4 points through 10 AHL games in 2025–26 and made it. Evansville had 3 points through 10 SPHL games in 2023–24 and made it.
| Read | NHL | PWHL | ECHL | AHL | SPHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoff lock | — | 17 or more, 5/5 | — | 18 or more, 9/9 | 15 or more, 20/20 |
| Near lock | 16 or more, 24/26 | — | 16–19, 25/28 | — | 8–14, 54/59 |
| Lean yes | 14–15, 42/55 | — | 12–15, 68/95 | 14–17, 54/67 | — |
| Toss up | 10–13, 77/144 | 16 or fewer, 7/15 | 10–11, 34/62 | 8–13, 115/189 | — |
| Lean no | 8–9, 15/46 | — | 5–9, 31/89 | 6–7, 15/34 | 7, 2/8 |
| Long shot | 7 or fewer, 2/41 | — | 4 or fewer, 0/5 | 5 or fewer, 2/11 | 6 or fewer, 2/12 |
Through 25 games
The NHL has no 100% lock at 25 games. Thirty-three or more points is 66 of 70, 94.3%, and one team at 39 points missed. Twenty-three or fewer is 5 of 71. Pidutti’s last five NHL seasons had 49 of 53 teams at 31 or more points, and 1 of 39 at 23 or fewer. The ECHL lock is 36 or more, 30 of 30. The AHL lock is also 36 or more, 25 of 25, and 31 to 35 points is 69 of 78. Nineteen or fewer is 0 of 25. Utica’s 41 points through 25 games in 2021–22 sits in that lock, and Utica made the playoffs. The SPHL lock is 30 or more, 44 of 44. The PWHL sample is the two 30-game seasons. Forty-two or more points is 5 of 5.
| Read | NHL | PWHL | ECHL | AHL | SPHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoff lock | — | 42 or more, 5/5 | 36 or more, 30/30 | 36 or more, 25/25 | 30 or more, 44/44 |
| Near lock | 33 or more, 66/70 | — | — | 31–35, 69/78 | 26–29, 18/19 |
| Lean yes | 30–32, 37/50 | — | 27–35, 94/126 | 28–30, 42/57 | 23–25, 9/12 |
| Toss up | 27–29, 33/66 | — | — | 24–27, 41/80 | 18–22, 5/11 |
| Lean no | 24–26, 19/55 | 40 or fewer, 3/9 | 23–26, 22/61 | 20–23, 18/45 | — |
| Long shot | 23 or fewer, 5/71 | — | 22 or fewer, 12/62 | 19 or fewer, 0/25 | 17 or fewer, 2/13 |
Where they sit now
The latest finals on file are October 22, 2026 in the NHL and the SPHL, October 21 in the AHL, and October 18 in the ECHL. The PWHL has not opened. The spot is the current points list, broken by that league’s tiebreakers, cut to last season’s field: 16 in the NHL, 23 in the AHL, 16 in the ECHL, and 8 in the SPHL. The NHL and the AHL are on a 10-game pace, points times 10 divided by games played, set against that league’s 10-game bands. The ECHL and the SPHL have fewer than 5 games played, so their pace is five games and the read uses the 5-game bands. NHL teams are on 8 to 12 games, so the pace is a small adjustment. Edmonton’s 17 points in 10 games is the only NHL near lock. Carolina leads the league with 18 points in 12 games, and that pace is 15, a lean yes. Vancouver has 5 points in 12 games. The AHL is on 5 to 8 games.
NHL
| Carolina Hurricanes | 12 | 18 | 15.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Boston Bruins | 11 | 17 | 15.5 | Lean yes | In |
| Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 17 | 17.0 | Near lock | In |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 12 | 16 | 13.3 | Toss up | In |
| New York Rangers | 12 | 15 | 12.5 | Toss up | In |
| Seattle Kraken | 11 | 15 | 13.6 | Toss up | In |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 9 | 14 | 15.6 | Lean yes | In |
| Utah Mammoth | 11 | 14 | 12.7 | Toss up | In |
| Ottawa Senators | 11 | 14 | 12.7 | Toss up | In |
| Minnesota Wild | 11 | 14 | 12.7 | Toss up | In |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 12 | 14 | 11.7 | Toss up | In |
| Dallas Stars | 10 | 13 | 13.0 | Toss up | In |
| San Jose Sharks | 11 | 13 | 11.8 | Toss up | In |
| New Jersey Devils | 10 | 12 | 12.0 | Toss up | In |
| New York Islanders | 10 | 12 | 12.0 | Toss up | In |
| Florida Panthers | 11 | 12 | 10.9 | Toss up | In |
| Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 11 | 11.0 | Toss up | Out |
| St. Louis Blues | 10 | 11 | 11.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Detroit Red Wings | 10 | 11 | 11.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Winnipeg Jets | 10 | 11 | 11.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Washington Capitals | 9 | 10 | 11.1 | Toss up | Out |
| Montréal Canadiens | 9 | 10 | 11.1 | Toss up | Out |
| Buffalo Sabres | 10 | 10 | 10.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 11 | 9 | 8.2 | Lean no | Out |
| Nashville Predators | 9 | 9 | 10.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 12 | 9 | 7.5 | Long shot | Out |
| Anaheim Ducks | 10 | 8 | 8.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 8 | 6 | 7.5 | Long shot | Out |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 9 | 6 | 6.7 | Long shot | Out |
| Calgary Flames | 9 | 6 | 6.7 | Long shot | Out |
| Los Angeles Kings | 8 | 6 | 7.5 | Long shot | Out |
| Vancouver Canucks | 12 | 5 | 4.2 | Long shot | Out |
AHL
| Grand Rapids Griffins | 8 | 13 | 16.2 | Lean yes | In |
| Laval Rocket | 7 | 12 | 17.1 | Lean yes | In |
| Manitoba Moose | 7 | 10 | 14.3 | Lean yes | In |
| Toronto Marlies | 7 | 10 | 14.3 | Lean yes | In |
| Calgary Wranglers | 8 | 10 | 12.5 | Toss up | In |
| Colorado Eagles | 6 | 9 | 15.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Coachella Valley Firebirds | 8 | 9 | 11.2 | Toss up | In |
| Milwaukee Admirals | 5 | 8 | 16.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Charlotte Checkers | 6 | 8 | 13.3 | Toss up | In |
| Utica Comets | 5 | 8 | 16.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Cleveland Monsters | 6 | 8 | 13.3 | Toss up | In |
| Hershey Bears | 6 | 8 | 13.3 | Toss up | In |
| Ontario Reign | 6 | 8 | 13.3 | Toss up | In |
| Iowa Wild | 8 | 8 | 10.0 | Toss up | In |
| Belleville Senators | 7 | 8 | 11.4 | Toss up | In |
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 6 | 7 | 11.7 | Toss up | In |
| Rochester Americans | 7 | 7 | 10.0 | Toss up | In |
| Tucson Roadrunners | 6 | 7 | 11.7 | Toss up | In |
| Abbotsford Canucks | 6 | 7 | 11.7 | Toss up | In |
| Lehigh Valley Phantoms | 6 | 7 | 11.7 | Toss up | In |
| San Diego Gulls | 8 | 7 | 8.8 | Toss up | In |
| Henderson Silver Knights | 5 | 6 | 12.0 | Toss up | In |
| Hartford Wolf Pack | 8 | 6 | 7.5 | Lean no | In |
| Syracuse Crunch | 7 | 6 | 8.6 | Toss up | Out |
| Springfield Thunderbirds | 6 | 6 | 10.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Bakersfield Condors | 5 | 4 | 8.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Providence Bruins | 7 | 4 | 5.7 | Long shot | Out |
| San Jose Barracuda | 6 | 4 | 6.7 | Lean no | Out |
| Chicago Wolves | 6 | 4 | 6.7 | Lean no | Out |
| Texas Stars | 6 | 4 | 6.7 | Lean no | Out |
| Hamilton Hammers | 7 | 3 | 4.3 | Long shot | Out |
| Rockford IceHogs | 6 | 2 | 3.3 | Long shot | Out |
ECHL
| Idaho Steelheads | 3 | 6 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Trois-Rivières Lions | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Florida Everblades | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| South Carolina Stingrays | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Reading Royals | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Rapid City Rush | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Norfolk Admirals | 3 | 4 | 6.7 | Toss up | In |
| Wichita Thunder | 2 | 4 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 2 | 3 | 7.5 | Lean yes | In |
| Fort Wayne Komets | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Adirondack Thunder | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Tulsa Oilers | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Bloomington Bison | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Cincinnati Cyclones | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Indy Fuel | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Worcester Railers | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Toss up | In |
| Savannah Ghost Pirates | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Atlanta Gladiators | 3 | 2 | 3.3 | Lean no | In |
| Kalamazoo Wings | 1 | 1 | 5.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Wheeling Nailers | 1 | 1 | 5.0 | Toss up | Out |
| Tahoe Knight Monsters | 2 | 1 | 2.5 | Lean no | Out |
| Jacksonville Icemen | 2 | 1 | 2.5 | Lean no | Out |
| New Mexico Goatheads | 3 | 1 | 1.7 | Lean no | Out |
| Allen Americans | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Maine Mariners | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Toledo Walleye | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Kansas City Mavericks | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Greensboro Gargoyles | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Trenton Ironhawks | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
| Orlando Solar Bears | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | Lean no | Out |
SPHL
| Pee Dee IceCats | 3 | 4 | 6.7 | Near lock | In |
| Huntsville Havoc | 2 | 3 | 7.5 | Near lock | In |
| Fayetteville Marksmen | 2 | 3 | 7.5 | Near lock | In |
| Athens Rock Lobsters | 1 | 2 | 10.0 | Playoff lock | In |
| Evansville Thunderbolts | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Quad City Storm* | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | Out |
| Macon Mayhem | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs* | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Knoxville Ice Bears | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | In |
| Pensacola Ice Flyers* | 2 | 2 | 5.0 | Lean yes | Out |
| Peoria Rivermen | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | Long shot | Out |
| Birmingham Bulls | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | Long shot | Out |
An asterisk means a coin toss is what separated that team from the other side of the cut. Roanoke is in. Quad City and Pensacola are out.
How a spot was counted
Games count through the end of the checkpoint date, or through a team’s own 5th, 10th, or 25th completed game. Teams tied on points are separated with that league’s tiebreaker rules. When those rules still leave the last spot tied, a coin toss decides it, and an asterisk marks that figure. Each asterisk is one fixed draw of that toss. The cut is the league-wide points list. Making the playoffs means the team appears in a playoff series. The AHL field is 16 from 2014–15 through 2018–19 and 23 from 2021–22 on. The NHL field is 16 throughout, from 30 teams, then 31, then 32. The ECHL field is 15 or 16. The SPHL field is 6 in 2014–15 and 8 after that. The PWHL field is 4. The cancelled 2019–20 season, including the NHL’s 24-team qualifying round, and the shortened 2020–21 season are left out. The in-progress 2026–27 season appears only in the current standings. The Vermilion County Bobcats folded midseason in 2022–23 after 30 games and are included. They sat outside the top eight at every checkpoint and missed the playoffs.