NHL Playoff Pool Update: Luke Smith in front

Montreal Canadiens hope to head into round two after game 7 clash with Tampa Bay.

The deeper the Stanley Cup Playoffs go, the less this pool becomes about depth—and the more it becomes about hitting on the right stars at the right time.

And right now, a few managers are separating themselves not just by luck, but by elite production from the names that matter most in May.

A Leader Emerges From the Chaos

After a tightly packed opening stretch, the top of the standings is finally starting to show some definition.

The current leader didn’t just inch ahead—they surged, fuelled by a lineup stacked with players still alive and producing. The formula has been simple: fewer misses, more players advancing, and elite scorers continuing to deliver deep into the second round.

In playoff pools, survival is everything. And right now, the top entry has it.

The Importance of Staying Alive

The biggest separator across the board? Active players.

Several entries near the top are benefiting from stacking rosters with players from teams still pushing through the bracket. Multi-point nights from top-line forwards and power-play quarterbacks are compounding quickly, while others are watching their totals stall out as eliminated players sit idle.

It’s no longer about who drafted best on paper—it’s about who drafted for longevity.

Star Power Carrying the Load

Across the standings, one trend is clear: the managers climbing the leaderboard are the ones getting consistent production from superstars. The Anahiem Ducks and Minnesota WIld represent and new wave of talent heading into the second round, each with trios of players with 8+ points. Young and hungry.

Top-tier forwards are leading the charge, especially those playing heavy minutes and driving offence deep into their series. Defensemen quarterbacking power plays have also proven invaluable, racking up assists and bonus production in tight games.

Meanwhile, goaltending has been a swing factor. Entries that hit on net-minders still standing are seeing steady point accumulation, while others have been left scrambling after early exits.

Middle of the Pack: One Big Night Away

The middle tier of the standings remains tightly congested, and the difference between climbing into contention or falling out of reach could come down to a single explosive performance.

A hat trick. A multi-assist game. An overtime winner.

That’s all it takes right now.

Several entries sitting just outside the top tier still have enough active players to make a run—but the window is closing fast. As each round eliminates more teams, opportunities to gain ground shrink dramatically.

Bracket Casualties Mounting

Not every strategy has paid off.

A handful of entries loaded up on teams that exited early are now effectively frozen in place. With large portions of their rosters eliminated, they’re relying on diminishing returns while others continue to pile on points.

It’s the harsh reality of playoff pools: one bad read on a series can derail an entire roster.

The Bottom Line

This pool is no longer wide open—but it’s not locked up either.

The leader Luke Smith has momentum and, more importantly, active firepower. But with several contenders still within striking distance including Jamie Lepage and Shawn Thomas and key series still undecided, one breakout performance could flip the standings overnight. Watch out for Vince Price's team, the only squad with all 11 players remaining.

The margin between winning and finishing mid-pack?

About one superstar getting hot at exactly the right time.

And with the Stanley Cup still up for grabs, there’s plenty of hockey—and plenty of points—left to be played.