On multiple occasions in recent NHL history, the team that loses the Stanley Cup Final has a worse hangover the next season than the team that won. That hasn't been the case for the Edmonton Oilers in 2024-25, at least based on the first 63 games of the campaign.

Edmonton sits second in the Pacific Division, with 78 points and 27 regulation wins to the Vegas Golden Knights' 82 and 35. Is there a path for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl & Co. to take over that top spot?

Either way, the Oilers' march to the playoffs continues tonight against the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+). Following the contest in Western New York, Oilers visit the three NYC metro teams (Devils on Thursday, Islanders on Friday, Rangers on Sunday) before heading home.

All told, their final 19 games include just seven against teams currently in playoff position. One of those games -- on Tuesday, April 1 -- pits them against the Golden Knights in a "four-point game" that could define their quest to win the regular-season title.

In the end, it may not matter much which playoff seed they earn -- after all, they've won at least one round the past three postseasons from the No. 2 spot, and made the Cup Final back in 2006 as the West's eighth seed.

There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season on April 17, and we'll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide detail on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Columbus Blue Jackets
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Monday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Utah Hockey Club, 10 p.m.

Sunday's scoreboard

New Jersey Devils 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Washington Capitals 4, Seattle Kraken 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Minnesota Wild 1
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Winnipeg Jets 2
Columbus Blue Jackets 7, New York Rangers 3
Los Angeles Kings 6, Vegas Golden Knights 5
Dallas Stars 4, Vancouver Canucks 1
Anaheim Ducks 4, New York Islanders 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 91.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.5%
Tragic number: 36

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 7.9%
Tragic number: 36

Boston Bruins

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 5.5%
Tragic number: 32

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 26

Metro Division

Washington Capitals

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 93.4
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 27.4%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 37.6%
Tragic number: 36

New York Islanders

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 31.3%
Tragic number: 37

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 78.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 5.2%
Tragic number: 28

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 74.6
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 24

Central Division

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 116.1
Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 110.2
Next game: @ WPG (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 97.4
Next game: s. COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 93.7%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 28.2%
Tragic number: 34

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 25.6%
Tragic number: 35

Nashville Predators

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 62.8
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 106.7
Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 20
Points pace: 99.2
Next game: vs. NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 92%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 34.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 89.8
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 26.3%
Tragic number: 38

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 32

Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.2
Next game: vs. MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 23

San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.2
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

3. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20

4. Nashville Predators

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20

5. Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17

8. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 20

9. New York Islanders

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23

10. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20

11. Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21

12. Boston Bruins

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22

13. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22

14. New York Rangers

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29

15. St. Louis Blues

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22

16. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Al Nassr's Jhon Durán scored twice and Cristiano Ronaldo netted a penalty as the Saudi Pro League side booked a place in the Asian Champions League Elite last eight on Monday with a 3-0 win over Iran's Esteghlal while Qatar's Al Sadd beat Al Wasl.

Akram Afif was instrumental in Al-Sadd's 3-1 victory in Doha and got on the scoresheet as he led Felix Sanchez's side to a 4-2 aggregate win over the side from the United Arab Emirates.

Al Nassr's win in Riyadh came after a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Tehran last week and takes Stefano Pioli's team into the quarterfinals, which will be played in Jeddah as part of a centralised tournament from April 25 to May 3.

Duran put Al Nassr in front after nine minutes, with the Colombian lifting the ball over Seyed Hossein Hosseini after the Esteghlal goalkeeper gifted possession to the striker 25 metres from goal.

The Saudis doubled their lead from the penalty spot, Ronaldo stepping up in the 27th minute to convert with typical confidence following Mohammad Niknafs' mistimed challenge on Sadio Mané.

Esteghlal's task was made almost impossible when Mehran Ahmadi was sent off for a second bookable offence late in the first half as he caught Mohammed Al Fatil in the face with a flailing arm.

Duran claimed his second goal of the game six minutes from time when he whipped a low strike into the bottom corner having earlier hit the post as Al Nassr eased through.

"I think we played well," said Mané. "We created many chances and we scored three goals. I think we got our reward.

"We pressed well together, we pushed them and they made mistakes and from that we scored three goals. We have a clean sheet and we cannot expect more than this."

Al Sadd progressed as a result of an 11-minute spell in the first half against Al Wasl that saw the Qataris score three times to overturn Fábio Lima's early opener.

The Brazil-born forward gave his side the lead in the 10th minute, sweeping a first-time shot home after Alexis Perez's centre had arced over the Al Sadd back line.

But Afif unlocked the Al Wasl defence to haul Al Sadd level 16 minutes later, driving towards the byline before pulling the ball back into the path of Mostafa Meshaal who he slotted into the bottom corner.

Youcef Atal's strike saw Al Sadd take the lead on the half-hour as he cut inside towards goal before his shot from the tightest of angles deflected past Khaled Al-Senaani via the boot of Al Wasl defender Jung Seung-hyun.

Asian Player of the Year Afif showed his quality with the third in the 37th minute, playing a short free kick to Claudinho and then bending the return into the top corner from 20 metres.

United States men's national team star Antonee Robinson has told ESPN he is ignoring speculation over his future and wants to play in European competitions with Fulham.

Robinson, 27, has had a remarkable season with Fulham and has helped the team reach the FA Cup quarterfinals and rise to ninth in the Premier League table. He was also named the 2024 U.S Soccer male player of the year in January.

His form has caught the eye of other teams, with reports linking Liverpool with a summer move for the left-back.

There was interest from clubs in January, but a source has told ESPN that Fulham had no desire or intention to let the left-back leave the club. That stance remains the same heading into the summer window, and Robinson is treating all reports of outside interest with a grain of salt.

"I've been in the game long enough now to kind of know you have to block out the outside noise and things like that because I've been on the end of it when I've not been playing well," Robinson told ESPN. "I saw criticism when I was younger, seeing people doubting me and things. So I know that there's two sides to the coin.

"You just have to take everything with a grain of salt. You have to believe in yourself and when things are going bad, focus on yourself, and when things are going good, focus on keeping going.

"So, transfer rumors and stuff like that, I try not to look at. Especially like with the Liverpool one, all my friends and family are from Liverpool, so it's more of them messaging me than me seeing newspaper stuff. And I have to say, look, it's just, just a story in the paper and anyone who's doing well is going to get linked to a team."

Talking to ESPN's Herculez Gomez on Fútbol Americas, Robinson said he has European aspirations and he hopes to realize them at Fulham. "I'm truly focused on just reaching the level I feel I can, which takes a lot of work off the pitch as well, trying to make sure I keep my body right, doing all the extras and training, things like that to make sure I'm on my best level.

"Eventually I want to perform at the highest level that I can. Whether that's playing Champions League, playing European competitions with Fulham, however I get there, I want to make sure I get there."

Robinson took Fulham's fourth penalty in the team's FA Cup fifth round penalty shootout win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Robinson said the win felt "personal" after recent history between the two teams. They met in the FA Cup quarterfinal in May 2023 and lost 3-1, after having and Willian and Aleksander Mitrovic both sent off in the 72nd minute along with manager Marco Silva, but Fulham made amends for that at the weekend as they drew 1-1 before winning 4-2 on penalties.

"I mean it was a big moment of relief," Robinson said of their penalty shootout triumph. "I think just in general, the amount of times we played Manchester United and they've beat us like in the last minute when we've outplayed them. So it like felt really personal because it's stung a lot. And then obviously we had the quarter final incident where we had three sent off and lost out to them. So I think it just felt a bit of relief to not necessarily get revenge, but to just finally, you know, deservedly beat them and advance through to the next round.

"You know that in a game like that, even though, you know, we're higher than Manchester United in the league this season, they still would've been the favorites for the game. And we felt as a team the pressure was pretty much all on them. The only pressure we put on ourselves is to kind of play the best we can. And if we give everything, then on the day we can try and beat anyone. So when it got to penalties, even though the atmosphere, was very loud, very noisy, I just got the sense they're the ones under pressure here not us."

Manchester City Women have sacked head coach Gareth Taylor just five days before their League Cup final match against Chelsea, the club confirmed on Monday.

City managing director Charlotte O'Neill thanked Taylor for his service to the club, but said results had not been good enough, with the side fourth in the Women's Super League (WSL), 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

"Manchester City prides itself on competing at the top of the WSL and on its outstanding record of qualifying for European competition," O'Neill said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, results this season have so far not reached this high standard.

"With six games of the WSL campaign remaining, we believe that a change of management will breathe fresh life into our bid to ensure qualification for the 2025-26 UEFA Women's Champions League.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Gareth for all of his efforts during his many years at City. Our FA Cup and League Cup triumphs will remain special moments in the history of this football club.

"We wish him all the best for the future."

Nick Cushing will take over the side for the rest of the season.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said his team will need to deliver their best performance of the season against Paris Saint-Germain if they are to book their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Liverpool have a narrow advantage in the round-of-16 tie after beating PSG 1-0 in the first leg, despite the hosts dominating at the Parc des Princes. Slot conceded last week that his team were "very lucky" to win the match, and he has now called on his players to up their game in the second leg.

"I think [Liverpool will need to give the best performance of the season] because this is the most complete team we've faced so far," Slot told a news conference on Monday.

"Of course, we've faced Arsenal and Manchester City. It's not that there are big margins, but the intensity [PSG] played at combined with the quality they have -- let's be honest, we are talking about the richest club -- so they have so much quality and a great manager because he brings the best out of every player.

"He brings incredible work rate in the team, so that's why I think we need to be at our best tomorrow.

"I wasn't surprised at all about [PSG's] performance. They've impressed me a lot. Before the game last week, I watched a lot of their games and I was really impressed with the intensity they play at, the team cohesion, the rotations in the midfield.

"They are such a complete team, such a well-managed team and we experienced that last Wednesday. Some people said we played poor, I don't agree. I think they played tremendously well.

"I don't think we've faced this season a team that combines that quality with that much intensity but I do think we can do better. I'm not saying we play poor or not good at all but we are a better team than we were last week, and that's something we have to prove tomorrow with the help of our fans."

Slot's sentiments were echoed by forward Diogo Jota, who started last week's clash in Paris.

Asked whether it was the toughest game Liverpool have faced this season, Jota said: "Yes I think so, at least in my opinion. I obviously missed some games this season but I think the way the game went was not the plan.

"I think that shows as well that, even though things were not going well, we worked hard and stayed in the game to take our opportunity. That means a lot as well as it shows the character this team has. That's very positive to take into the remainder of the season.

"They had the ball more than we expected. They dominated the game, they created chances. Obviously, we were too far away from their goal a lot of the time but in the end we won the game.

"We know that tomorrow with our fans, we want to show a different face and the game will be different for sure but, in the end, we just want to go through."

The 2025 MLS season is now firmly underway, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.

Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 3 to come up with this week's order of all 30 teams in the league. Let's dive in.

1. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 1

Can Inter Miami play a normal game of soccer? It doesn't look like it, no. Their 1-0 win over Charlotte on Sunday featured a red card to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, forcing Javier Mascherano to dip down to third goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo given Drake Callender's injury. Miami win wild, but they win.

2. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 2

One of only two perfect teams left in MLS, the Union beat New England 2-0 on the road this weekend. Tai Baribo scored his sixth goal of the year in the process, which puts him level with Ante Razov's 1999 record for the most goals scored in the first three games of an MLS season.

3. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 4

Speaking of perfect teams, raise your hand if you had Vancouver snagging three wins from three games to start 2025? Nobody? Despite dealing with Concacaf Champions Cup play, Jesper Sørensen's team topped Montreal 2-0 to extend their unbeaten streak to five games across all competitions.

4. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 8

Cincinnati didn't have to get out of first gear to beat Toronto 2-0 on Saturday. Notably, star attacker Luca Orellano played his first MLS minutes of 2025 after a preseason contract dispute. Pat Noonan's squad is inching closer to full strength ahead of a big CCC clash with Tigres this week.

5. LAFC

Previous ranking: 3

It's hard to fault LAFC too much for losing on the road in Seattle this weekend with a rotated squad during Champions Cup play. Losing 5-2? Yeah, it doesn't look good, but wake us up when LAFC get blown out with more than a single DP on the field.

6. Columbus Crew

Previous ranking: 5

The Crew are holding steady without Cucho Hernández ... in MLS play. They fell to LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup midweek, but bounced back nicely with a controlled 0-0 draw against Houston over the weekend. Wilfried Nancy needs one more star attacker, but the Crew haven't fallen apart without their talisman in 2025.

7. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 9

The Loons haven't played a single flashy game in 2025, but they sure are playing a lot of effective soccer. A 1-0 road win against San Jose is a lot more notable this year than it was last, now that Bruce Arena is in charge of the Quakes, and Kelvin Yeboah keeps scoring.

8. Charlotte FC

Previous ranking: 7

Charlotte's inability to create chances against a deeper defense was a concern last year and it remains one in 2025. Even with Wilfried Zaha on the wing, Dean Smith's team managed just nine shots with 57% possession in a 1-0 loss to Inter Miami.

9. San Diego FC

Previous ranking: 23

They left it late, but San Diego secured a 3-1 win on the road against Salt Lake on Saturday. Missing Hirving "Chucky" Lozano due to injury, Anders Dreyer and Marcus Ingvartsen both stepped up in second-half stoppage time.

10. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 21

On the day Jordan Morris became the Sounders' all-time leading scorer, Seattle topped LAFC 5-2 at Lumen Field. Yet another injury to Pedro de la Vega soured the occasion slightly, but Sounders fans won't soon forget Morris' record-breaking goal.

11. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 17

With Djordje Mihailovic pulling the strings as a narrow left winger in Chris Armas' new 4-3-3 shape, the Rapids found a first-half breakthrough against Austin and never looked back in a 1-0 road win.

12. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 6

Bruce Arena's Quakes are, in fact, beatable. San Jose fell 1-0 to Minnesota, although they still had some impressive attacking moments even with No. 10 Hernan Lopez serving a card suspension.

13. New York Red Bulls

Previous ranking: 10

Traveling to Atlanta to take on the Five Stripes, the Red Bulls gutted out a 0-0 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Sandro Schwarz's team was a step behind the pace in the first half, but some big saves from Carlos Coronel kept them level.

14. St. Louis City SC

Previous ranking: 15

Keeping their third-straight clean sheet to start 2025? Check. Scoring their first (three) goal(s) of 2025? Check. Beating last year's MLS Cup winners on their turf? Check. Sunday's 3-0 win over the Galaxy was a big one for St. Louis.

15. Atlanta United

Previous ranking: 12

Despite a strong first 45 minutes, Atlanta couldn't push past the Red Bulls in an eventual 0-0 draw on Saturday. Ronny Deila's team is still a work in progress at both ends, but getting left-back Pedro Amador back from injury was a solid step.

16. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 16

On the 10-year anniversary of their first-ever game, New York City topped Orlando City 2-1 on Saturday. The standout was 17-year-old Jonny Shore starting in midfield for Pascal Jansen's team. Shore moved the ball cleanly, ranged from one box to the other, and looked assured.

17. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 25

Despite having an underwhelming offseason, D.C. are yet to lose a game in 2025 -- and they even won their first match of the year with a 2-1 win over Kansas City this past weekend. United are generating a bit of real momentum here.

18. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 24

With a trio of goals after the 81st minute, the Fire came back to claim three points on the road in a 3-1 win over Dallas. Brian Gutiérrez continues to show his quality on the ball, while Hugo Cuypers looks increasingly like a superstar up top.

19. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 13

Although Dallas jumped out to a lead via Logan Farrington in the second half, late concessions turned a would-be win into a devastating 3-1 home defeat for Eric Quill's team. There's still work to do in Frisco.

20. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 11

Despite Luis Muriel scoring a rare goal in a rare start up top for Orlando, the Lions fell 2-1 on the road to New York City exactly 10 years after the two teams met for the first time.

21. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 14

RSL managed a wonderfully aesthetic goal against San Diego, only to concede three unanswered and crumble in second-half stoppage time in a 3-1 home defeat. The defense, which has conceded seven goals in three matches, needs to tighten up.

22. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 22

Although they had two penalties saved, Nashville still managed a 2-0 win over Portland. B.J. Callaghan's squad ran all over the Timbers at Geodis Park, with Edvard Tagseth putting in a workmanlike performance in the middle.

23. Austin FC

Previous ranking: 19

After falling behind in the 18th minute, Austin just couldn't work their way back in an eventual 1-0 defeat to Colorado. Club-record signing Myrto Uzuni's first start wasn't enough to turn a cross-filled outing into a successful one.

24. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 30

The Dynamo didn't put in an inspiring attacking performance against Columbus to kick off the weekend's schedule, but their tight defensive setup was enough to see Ben Olsen's team collect a point from a 0-0 draw.

25. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 20

The Galaxy look well and truly broken right now. Despite having their best chance-creating performance of the season in a 3-0 loss to St. Louis, Novak Micovic continues to struggle in goal and the attack still looks disconnected.

26. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 18

Another game, another brutal defensive outing for the Timbers, who allowed two penalties and two goals from open play in a 2-0 loss to Nashville. That's right, folks, goalkeeper James Pantemis saved two penalties and his team still lost.

27. CF Montréal

Previous ranking: 26

In the middle of a classic early-season road trip, Montréal are still without a win after a 2-0 loss to Vancouver on Saturday. They can't get back home fast enough.

28. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 27

Losing 2-0 to Philadelphia in front of the home crowd? That's bad. Losing starting striker Leo Campana to injury just a few minutes into Saturday's contest? That's even worse. Caleb Porter has to be sweating.

29. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 29

One of only three teams yet to collect even a single point in 2025, Sporting fell 2-1 to D.C. this weekend. It's shaping up to be a long year in Kansas City.

30. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 28

Toronto managed just one shot from inside the box against Cincinnati. You won't be surprised to learn, then, that Robin Fraser's team lost 2-0.