When the NHL regular season enters its final month, the standings page splits into two views: divisional and wild card. Most fans know their team’s place in the division, but the wild card column often tells the real story of who’s still alive for the playoffs.
Wild card teams per conference: 2 ·
Total playoff teams: 16 ·
Number of conferences: 2 ·
Wild card system introduced: 2013-14 season
Quick snapshot
- 2 wild card spots per conference (NHL.com (official league site))
- 16 teams qualify for playoffs (NHL.com)
- Wild card system began 2013-14 (RG.org (hockey rules guide))
- Exact list of all wild card teams that reached the Stanley Cup Finals may require verification from NHL records
- Some sources count the 2021 Montreal Canadiens as a wild card; confirm seeding criteria
- 2024-25 wild card races underway in both conferences (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- Tiebreakers will determine final positions in tight races (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
Seven key numbers define how the wild card system reshapes the playoff picture.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Wild card introduced | 2013-14 season (RG.org) |
| Wild card teams per conference | 2 (NHL.com) |
| Total wild card teams league-wide | 4 (NHL.com) |
| Total playoff teams | 16 (NHL.com) |
| Wild card seeding in conference | 7th and 8th (NHL.com) |
| First wild card team to reach Finals | 2019 Dallas Stars (RG.org) |
| Wild card Stanley Cup champion | 0 (as of 2025) (RG.org) |
| Playoff round format | Best-of-7 series (NHL.com) |
| Home ice advantage first two rounds | Higher regular-season seed (NHL.com) |
How many NHL teams get in as a wild card?
Number of wild card spots per conference
- Each conference awards exactly 2 wild card spots (NHL.com (official league site)).
- That makes 4 wild card teams across the entire NHL (NHL.com).
The top three teams from each division (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, Pacific) secure automatic berths. That fills 12 of the 16 playoff slots. The remaining four slots go to the two best non-division winners in each conference, regardless of which division they come from. According to the NHL.com (official league site), this means a single division can send up to five teams to the postseason while the other division in the same conference sends only three.
Total playoff teams per conference
- 8 teams per conference qualify (NHL.com).
- 6 division winners (3 per conference) and 2 wild card teams per conference (NHL.com).
The conference breakdown is straightforward: Eastern Conference sends 8 teams (6 division qualifiers + 2 wild cards), and the Western Conference does the same. The ESPN (sports broadcaster) wild card standings page reflects this split, showing separate wild card tables for East and West.
Because the wild card system is division-protected, a team in a weaker division can finish with fewer points than a team in a stronger division and still make the playoffs as a division leader, while the stronger team takes a wild card spot. That dynamic makes the wild card race just as intense as the division race.
The implication: Wild card spots reward the next-best records across an entire conference, not just one division. For teams on the bubble, every point against division leaders carries double weight.
How does the wild card work in the NHL?
Seeding and bracket placement
- Wild card teams are seeded 7th and 8th in their conference (NHL.com).
- The wild card team with the better regular-season record faces the other division winner; the weaker wild card faces the top division winner (NHL.com).
The bracket is not a pure 1-through-8 conference seeding system. The NHL.com (official league site) explains that the playoff bracket is largely division-based with wild cards inserted. The second- and third-place teams from each division stay within their own division bracket for the first round.
Wild card vs. division leaders
- Wild card teams begin every series on the road (RG.org (hockey rules guide)).
- Home-ice advantage in the first two rounds goes to the team that placed higher in the regular-season standings (NHL.com).
This means a wild card team faces an uphill climb from puck drop of Game 1—not only is the opponent a division winner, but the wild card squad also loses the benefit of home ice. If a wild card team advances past the first round, they continue to face division winners on the road until the Conference Finals, where home ice is awarded based on regular-season record regardless of division standing (NHL.com).
A wild card team could have a better record than a division leader from the other division, but due to the fixed bracket it still starts the playoffs on the road. That creates an immediate disadvantage that only three wild card teams have overcome to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
What does wild card mean in hockey standings?
Definition of wild card in context of NHL standings
- Wild card refers to the two non-division winners with the best point totals in each conference (NHL.com (official league site)).
- The label “wild card” appears next to teams on standings pages like ESPN (sports broadcaster) and NHL.com.
When you glance at the standings during the season, you’ll see two separate tables: divisional standings (showing top three per division) and wild card standings (showing the next best records across the conference). The Wikipedia template citing NHL source demonstrates how these entries are organized—current leaders like the Washington Capitals (111 points in the Metropolitan) and the Vegas Golden Knights (110 points in the Pacific) lead their divisions, while the wild card positions chase those leaders.
How wild card standings are displayed on major platforms
- ESPN’s wild card view shows a separate table for each conference (ESPN).
- NHL.com lists wild card teams under a “Wild Card” heading within conference standings (NHL.com).
The StatMuse (NHL data aggregator) shows that the Minnesota Wild finished 6th in the Central Division in 2023-24 with a 39-34-9 record, illustrating how a team can miss the division top three but still be in the wild card conversation. The takeaway: wild card standings are essentially the “next best” ranking, and they shift daily as teams jockey for those precious two spots per conference.
The pattern: Fans and analysts alike watch the wild card column because it determines playoff fates for about a third of the league. If your team isn’t in the top three of its division, the wild card line tells you exactly how close (or far) the postseason dream is.
Has a wild card ever won the Stanley Cup?
Historical success of wild card teams in playoffs
- As of 2025, no team that entered the playoffs as a wild card has won the Stanley Cup since the system was introduced in 2013-14 (RG.org (hockey rules guide)).
- Wild card teams have reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice: the 2019 Dallas Stars and the 2021 Montreal Canadiens (note: Montreal was a North Division wild card) (RG.org).
- The closest a wild card team came to winning was the 2021 Montreal Canadiens, who lost in five games (NHL.com).
That zero-for-eleven record (through the 2023-24 season) underscores the difficulty of the wild card path. The RG.org (hockey rules guide) notes that every series starts on the road, and the bracket forces wild card teams to face division winners from the first round onward. No Cinderella story has yet broken through.
For front offices, the data is clear: securing a top-three division spot doubles a team’s chances of deep playoff success. The wild card route adds an extra layer of difficulty that only two teams have survived to reach the Finals—and neither lifted the Cup.
The trade-off: The wild card system gives more teams a shot at the playoffs—but it also creates a structural disadvantage for the teams that slip into those two spots. The next time a wild card team makes a run, they’ll be fighting history as much as their opponent.
What is the point of the wild card in the NHL?
Purpose of the wild card system
- The wild card increases the number of teams in playoff contention later in the season (NHL.com (official league site)).
- It rewards strong records regardless of division strength (NHL.com).
- The system replaced the previous top-8 conference format to emphasize divisional rivalries (RG.org (hockey rules guide)).
Before the 2013-14 season, the top eight teams in each conference made the playoffs, seeded 1 through 8 regardless of division. The current format prioritizes division winners, ensuring that winning a division carries a concrete reward (top-three seed and home ice in the first round). The RG.org (hockey rules guide) explains that the wild card serves as a safety net for strong teams stuck in a tough division.
Impact on regular-season competition
- More teams remain in playoff contention deeper into the season (NHL.com).
- Division leaders are incentivized to keep winning to avoid hosting a wild card team that might have a similar record (RG.org).
The ESPN (sports broadcaster) wild card standings page frequently shows tight races in March and April, with multiple teams within a few points of the final spot. That keeps fans engaged even if their team is outside the top three of its division.
The implication: The wild card system trades away a pure meritocratic seeding for divisional integrity and late-season drama. For the league, that trade-off has been a win—more markets stay alive longer, and the bracket creates built-in storylines.
Timeline: Wild Card History
- 2013-14: NHL introduces the wild card system (RG.org)
- 2014-15: First full season under the new format; wild card teams qualify (e.g., Minnesota Wild, Washington Capitals) (NHL.com)
- 2018-19: Dallas Stars become the first wild card team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals (RG.org)
- 2020-21: Montreal Canadiens reach the Finals as a North Division wild card (NHL.com)
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Each conference has 2 wild card spots (NHL.com)
- Wild card system started in 2013-14 (RG.org)
- No wild card team has won the Stanley Cup as of 2025 (RG.org)
- Wild card teams are seeded 7th and 8th (NHL.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact list of all wild card teams that reached the Finals may need verification from NHL records
- Some sources count the 2021 Montreal Canadiens as a wild card; seeding criteria confirmation needed
“The top three teams in each division qualify automatically for the playoffs, accounting for 12 of the 16 playoff spots. The remaining four playoff spots are filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference based on regular-season record, regardless of division.”
NHL.com (official league site)
“A wild-card team typically begins a series on the road because home-ice advantage belongs to the higher-seeded team. The road to the Stanley Cup is steep for wild cards—and so far, no team has climbed it.”
RG.org (hockey rules guide)
For fans following the 2024-25 wild card race, the distinction between a division leader and a wild card team can mean the difference between home ice and an uphill battle. Every point in March carries playoff weight. For the front office, the choice is clear: secure a top-three division spot, or accept the wild card disadvantage and hope to become the first team to overcome it. The history says it’s possible—just not yet achieved.
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if two wild card teams have the same number of points?
Tiebreakers are applied in order: regulation wins (ROW), head-to-head record, goal differential, and goals for. The NHL.com (official league site) uses these tiebreakers for all standings positions.
Can a wild card team host a playoff game?
Only if they advance past the first round and face a lower-seeded opponent in later rounds. In the first round, all wild card teams start on the road (RG.org).
How are tiebreakers applied in wild card standings?
The NHL uses regulation wins (ROW) as the first tiebreaker, followed by head-to-head points, then goal differential. The ESPN (sports broadcaster) standings page reflects the same tiebreak order.
Are wild card standings updated daily during the season?
Yes. Every game day, platforms like ESPN and NHL.com update wild card tables to reflect the latest results.
Do wild card teams play in the first round?
Yes. Wild card teams are slotted into the first-round bracket as the 7th and 8th seeds in their conference, facing the respective division winners (NHL.com).
Why are wild card teams considered underdogs?
Because they face a tougher path: no home-ice advantage in the first round, and they must beat a division winner from the outset. The statistics show no wild card team has won the Stanley Cup since the system began (RG.org).
What is the difference between Eastern and Western Conference wild card spots?
No difference in rules—both conferences award 2 wild card spots with the same seeding and tiebreaker procedures. The only distinction is the number of teams competing: the East has 16 teams, the West has 16 teams, so the race density can vary (NHL.com).
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