The NHL paused its season on February 6, 2026, for the Winter Olympics, with 143 players participating, while many NHL stars rested. The Tampa Bay Lightning, with a 99% playoff chance, benefited from their players’ break, while the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings also remain competitive in the playoff race. Key Olympic performances and injuries will impact team dynamics as the season resumes. The NHL Bubble Watch analyzes playoff probabilities for all 32 teams post-Olympics.
