Playoffs are so close guys. You can feel the tension in the air. If you watched the Bruins Panthers game last week it almost felt like we were already in the postseason. Unfortunately there are still some loose ends that need to be tied up before we can start the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Such as who is going to take those last few playoff spots. The race is tight, especially in the East. Let’s take a look at how each team is stacking up as we approach the end of the season.
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous week: Unchanged)
It’s no surprise to anyone that the Sharks are dead last in the NHL and dead last in these rankings. They may not even reach twenty wins this season. The only bright side is this should probably be rock bottom for this team. Hopefully there’s nowhere for them to go, but up unless they somehow manage to have an even more disastrous season next year. That won’t happen though, right?
31. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Ducks continue to stack up loss after loss and it feels like they’ve officially given up on the season. At this point it’s pretty obvious they’re trying to increase their draft lottery odds at the very end of the year. You could at least have some shame about it Anaheim. At least it’s not as blatantly obvious or as atrocious as the Hawks last year.
30. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Chicago has played their best hockey of the season this last week, which unfortunately still isn’t saying much. However, it does show that they care about more than just the number one draft pick. There are players on this team that desperately want to show they have what it takes to elevate this team to the next level next season. With Connor Bedard at the forefront, it’s possible we might actually see this team take a step forward next year.
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29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The sad thing is, Columbus hasn’t looked bad these last couple of weeks. You really wish you could say that about them for most of the season, but regardless of how they finish a tough offseason lies in wait for Columbus. They’re stuck in limbo, where they arguably can’t get much worse, but there’s no clear path to them getting better either. We wish you the best of luck Columbus, hopefully this isn’t too tough.
28. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Montreal should have decent draft positioning this year and one would hope they use it on a center. Montreal greatly lacks center depth and having a young, budding center would really help bolster a roster that already appears to be on the up. It may help to get some true star power onto this team as well. You could argue that the depth pieces are there, but they’re biggest stars are Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki. Not bad players by any means, but definitely not the same star power compared to other teams.
27. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: Unchanged)
They may have not made the playoffs this year, but they’re determined to end the season on a high note and their owners have committed to trying to win a land auction for a new arena. This shows they want to keep the team in Arizona and a big part of that is probably because of their play this season. While there’s no guarantee it’ll happen, that’s still the best news this team has had in a while considering it looked like their time in Arizona was pretty much done.
26. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 22)
There has been one consistent bright light in an otherwise pretty dull season for Calgary. That light is Yegor Sharangovich, who has been Calgary’s best player all season long. It’s made especially sweet when you consider that Tyler Toffoli, the player they gave up for him, didn’t even last a full season in New Jersey. Sharangovich has fit like a glove into this team and that’s good news for Calgary as they look to build around a new core.
25. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 24)
Remember when the Sens made fun of Leafs’ fans for being upset about the empty net slap shot goal? Well, fast forward to last weekend and now the Sens are upset for someone doing it to them. What goes around comes around I guess. You can’t really be that upset Ottawa.
24. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 25)
Hopefully next year Buffalo can have a full season of everyone being healthy and at the top of their game. This season was a disappointment through and through especially given the talent that this team has. The expectations are still there, even if they are a bit diminished. If they can stay healthy and their top guys refind that game I think this team is more than good enough to beat out teams like Detroit and Philly. Here’s hoping Buffalo.
23. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: 26)
The Kraken are in a tough spot. It’s hard not to pin this season up as a disappointment. They failed to build off the success they had last season, but they weren’t bad enough to warrant good draft positioning either. So, now they’re in a spot where they need to figure out a way to improve in the offseason. Do they trade? Do they sign free agents? Or do they hope the players they have regain that form they did last season? There’s a lot of questions that need answering from Seattle.
22. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 20)
The Devils are done. There’s no other way to put it. They were in a clutch situation and they absolutely sank to the bottom like a bag of rocks. The odds of them being able to pull it together and sneak into a playoff spot are pretty dang low. They didn’t address the issues they had in time and now they’re facing the consequences. What a massive disappointment for a team that appeared prime to make a deep playoff run.
21. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Red Wings have managed to somewhat patch the leaks in the boat and stop the sinking. They are currently holding onto that last playoff spot, but barely. They’re in no position to make any mistakes or it could very quickly fall out of their grasp. Do they have what it takes to perform under that kind of pressure or are they going to sink with the Devils?
20. St Louis Blues (Previous rank: 19)
So close, but so far. Despite a great run in January and February the Blues are going to need something huge in order to sneak into the playoffs. Unless the Predators and Kings completely collapse it just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen and that’s probably for the best. This team on paper should not be a playoff team and making the playoffs will probably just stave off fixing those issues.
19. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 15)
It’s been a legendary collapse for Philly. A team that was in the middle of a rebuild looked primed to be a Cinderella story until these last couple of weeks where they’ve just completely and utterly fallen apart. They’ve lost seven straight and have fallen entirely out of playoff position. The good news is, there’s still time to turn it around and sneak in. They’re only one point behind Detroit and two points behind the Islanders. The bad news? If you don’t make it you probably just halted your own rebuild for nothing.
18. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 17)
The Wild’s playoff hopes are in a very similar position to the Blues’ if not worse. It’ll take a miracle run and the help of other teams in order to get them in and that just doesn’t really seem feasible. It’s going to be an early offseason for these guys, and it’s probably not going to get much better unless things are addressed in the offseason. Buckle in guys, you’ve got a lot to do.
17. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 16)
The Capitals are right in the middle of the playoff bubble, but they seem to not be ready to play for it. Ovechkin is still red hot, scoring goals like no one’s business, but the rest of the team has cooled off immensely at the worst possible time. There’s still hope guys. You’re only a point out. You can make this happen. The fans are dying for you to stave off that rebuild for another year.
16. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 18)
The Islanders refuse to let anyone figure out how good they actually are. Anytime you think they’ve hit their ceiling they suddenly turn around and keep going forward. They may actually make the playoffs this year despite the odds. Whether or not they actually do anything when they get there is yet to be seen.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 23)
Holy cow. Who at all would’ve thought that this team would suddenly be right in the playoff race. They’re only a point behind Detroit! Someone give Crosby the props he’s due. They would not be in this position if not for him. He has once again thrown this team on his back and carried them into a spot they realistically have no business being in. There’s no guarantee they’ll do anything in the playoffs, but getting there in itself is impressive.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 13)
The Bolts are most likely going to make the playoffs once again. Will they make yet another deep run? Or will they fizzle out because they’re simply too tired to really make a splash. Who knows? That’s the beauty of the playoffs is anything can happen once you’re in them, and Tampa has a very good habit of making their way into them.
13. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: 11)
The loss to Arizona was harsh. It allowed the Kings to leapfrog them again. They’re still playing very good hockey, but you gotta know they want that top three spot. A wild card spot feels insulting for the defending champs. This is a playoff made team though, they always play their best hockey when it matters the most. It doesn’t matter what seed they end up getting, they’re primed to make a splash.
12. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 14)
That Canucks matchup is looking mighty tasty to the Kings right now. In the four games those two teams have played, the Kings have won three of them. There’s something about their system that just gives the Canucks fits. You gotta imagine they probably would prefer Vancouver over Edmonton for the third year in a row as well. The Kings are a good hockey team, if not a bit inconsistent, but Edmonton seems to have their number. Maybe that changes this year.
11. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 12)
The Jets may have blown their chance to win the Central, but they are for sure making the playoffs in a better position than they did last season. The downside is they’re most likely going to draw either the Avs or the Stars in the first round and that’s going to be a TOUGH go. The Jets are a scrappy team, but it doesn’t quite feel like they have enough figured out to make that deep run quite yet.
10. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 9)
The Predators may not be as hot as they were, but it does look like they’re still going to be able to grab a playoff spot. That is unless they totally collapse from where they are now, but that seems unlikely. They’re not far off from clinching a spot, just a couple of wins, really. If they can’t manage that then they probably shouldn’t be in the playoffs in the first place.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 8)
The Leafs have everyone scared. They’re a great regular season team, but you can sense the impending playoff failure. Then again, it’s the NHL postseason. Anything can happen! That’s the beauty of it. Maybe this team will build off the momentum from last season and win another playoff series. Or maybe they even go deep. Who knows? I wouldn’t bet on it, but it can certainly happen.
8. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 7)
This is not how the Canucks wanted to finish the season. They’re 5-5-0 in their last ten games and they’re somehow in danger of blowing that once massive lead they had on the Pacific. Seriously though. Edmonton is only three points behind them now. Vancouver also probably doesn’t want to draw LA in the first round given how poorly they’ve played against them this year. They also just look done. Like they don’t have much more to offer. Maybe some playoff hockey for the first time in nine years will rejuvenate them.
7. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: 10)
The Oilers may actually end up stealing the Pacific away from the Canucks. Given how they started this season that’s actually incredible. You can no longer question this team’s resilience or desire to win. The real question is, will it be enough? For years we’ve talked about how good Edmonton is only for them to fall short in the playoffs. Is this year going to be any different, or is it the same old story?
6. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 5)
The Rangers are good, and have been good for most of the year, but it still feels like something is missing. It doesn’t feel like they have the same IT factor that the rest of the elites do. I could be wrong. They could go into this postseason and absolutely blow all of our minds, but I just don’t have the feeling that they will. They just don’t seem to have the coordination or the intensity the other teams have.
5. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 4)
I truly thought the Panthers were going to run away with the Eastern Conference, but they just have not. If anything, they’re trying everything they can to let Boston take it from them. I’m not counting them out by any means, but this does not look like the same well oiled machine from a month ago. Maybe they’re stepping off the gas a bit knowing that playoffs are a guarantee, but who knows?
4. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: 6)
Unlike the Panthers, the Bruins are finding ways to heat up again at just the right time. They’ve taken back control of the Atlantic and are in the race with New York to win the East. Whether or not they will is yet to be seen as they are also competing with Carolina and Florida for that title. It’s a tight race over in the Eastern Conference with very little margin of error for any of the teams.
3. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 2)
The Avs look like the Avs again. It’s really nice to see this team clicking the way they are. They may not have to play the Stars in the first round either, which is great news for them. That being said, this team still has to prove themselves given their first round exit last year. The depth doesn’t look as good as it did when they won the Cup and they’ll still be without their captain heading into it. Colorado is determined, but do they have what it takes?
2. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: 1)
The Canes may be dethroned from the top spot this week, but don’t let that fool you. This team is firing on all cylinders. Jake Guentzel has brought a fire to this team that they desperately needed. This team wants to win and they want to win now. They’ve made that very clear. All chips are in the pot, now they just need to show their hand and hope its enough.
1. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 3)
The Stars are the best team in hockey right now. Not only are they running away with the Central Division, they’re running away with the President’s Trophy as well. I feel bad for whoever ends up drawing this team in the first round, because dang that’s going to be a tough out. Again, in the playoffs anything can happen, but going off these last couple weeks, Dallas is a team that’s ready to win.
