Who’s your surprise playoff team?

Must be projected below 85 points by Dom’s model at the start of the season. Projected point total in parentheses.

A bar chart of The Athletic's polling of its NHL staff from March 10–12, 2025 found that the Columbus Blue Jackets are considered a surprise playoff team.

Columbus Blue Jackets (68.7 points)

62.1%

Calgary Flames (79.0 points)

20.7%

St. Louis Blues (81.8 points)

10.3%

Detroit Red Wings (81.1 points)

6.9%

Note: Survey of 29 staffers from The Athletic's NHL staff between March 10–12, 2025. Figures are rounded.

Source: The Athletic (NHL Staff Survey)