1. Winnipeg Jets
With 81 points, the Jets are a virtual lock for the playoffs. They have been my top-ranked team all season, and that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon, as they’re currently riding an 8 game win streak. Incredibly, they are just as dominant defensively as they are offensively, averaging both the most goals and the least goals against per game. Oh, and Hellebuyck has the highest Goals Saved Above Expected of any goalie in the game. They are literally the best team across the board and have no perceivable weaknesses. For all these reasons, they are the logical pick to win the Stanley Cup this year.
2. Washington Capitals
Led by the ageless Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals also look like a lock for the playoffs this year, as their 80 points are just 1 point behind the Jets and 8 points above the rest of the pack. They are tied with Tampa Bay for 2nd in goals per game while allowing the 3rd least goals against per game, and their goaltender, Logan Thompson, just so happens to have the second highest Goals Saved Above Expected in the NHL (26.8), right behind Connor Hellebuyck (27.8). If it wasn’t for the Jets, the Caps would definitively be the best team in the NHL this season, and it wouldn’t be particularly close. These 2 teams are in a tier of their own, above the rest, and Washington is my pick to win it all if Winnipeg falters.
4. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are no doubt one of the most exciting teams in the game. They are an offensive powerhouse, with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl spearheading their first and second lines, respectively, and Evan Bouchard bringing elite offense as a defender. They have averaged the 4th most goals per game (a number which has been steadily rising) while their defense has also been quite good, allowing the 8th least goals against per game. They absolutely have what it takes to take the cup by overpowering their opponents offensively, and the fact that their defensive game has been as good as it has been is bad news for everyone else.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are an all-around very good team. Carolina boasts having a lethal offense- their front line of Jarvis, Aho, and Rantanen is particularly excellent- and an equally good defense. Their offense is tied with the Golden Knights for 6th in the NHL in goals per game, while their defense is allowing the 6th least goals against per game. Their goalie tandem of Kochetkov and Anderson is also very good, and they are sure to make a run to the cup thanks to their all-around excellence.
5. Dallas Stars
The Stars have superb all-around depth and have been one of the best teams defensively, allowing the 4th least goals against per game. Their top 2 lines on offense have been great as well, with their 2nd line often performing even better than their first line frequently. Dallas took a huge hit when they lost Tyler Seguin, who was excelling on the 2nd line before injury ended his season, but that line recently received a significant boost with newly acquired Mikael Granlund. Granlund is already showing very good chemistry with linemates Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment. This should help to make their already very good offense- averaging the 8th most goals per game- even better. They are as good a bet as any team outside the top 2 to win the Stanley Cup.
6. Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are another well-rounded team with impressive depth. Their offense is top 10 in goals per game while their defense is top 10 in goals against per game (as in, allowing the least). Frontliner Jack Eichel is the star here, but Mark Stone has been great on their 2nd line, and Tomas Hertl has been awesome on their 3rd, with young Pavel Dorofeyev really heating up alongside him. Shea Theodore has been one of the best all-around defensemen in the game as well. For all these reasons, the Golden Knights should have no problem making the playoffs and are well equipped to challenge for the cup.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Led by superstar Nikita Kucherov, the Lightning are elite offensively. Forwards Kucherov, Hagel, Point, and Guentzel all rank in the top 30 for offensive production, and Anthony Cirelli has also been a pleasant surprise, centering their 2nd line. Their efforts have led to Tampa Bay being tied with Washington for the 2nd highest amount of points per game in the NHL. Their defense has also been quite good, allowing the 9th least goals against per game. This is in no small part due to the efforts of their number one goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is having a bounce-back season now that he is back to full health. Although they are currently ranked just 12th in points with 66, if the Lightning wound up winning the Stanley Cup this year, no one would be that surprised.
8. Florida Panthers
The defending champs have zero problems offensively. Their top 2 lines are among the best in the game, with Sam Reinhart leading the way on the 1st and Matthew Tkachuk tearing it up on the 2nd. The same unfortunately cannot be said about Florida’s defense this year, though it has improved significantly as the season has gone on. While their offense is top 5 in goals per game, the Panthers are ranked outside the top 10 in goals against per game. They will undoubtedly make the playoffs and do their best to claim the cup once again, but if they actually manage to repeat as champions, it will most likely be by continuing to improve defensively.
9. New Jersey Devils
Led by young superstar Jack Hughes, who is having a breakout season and has fired over 200 shots on goal already, New Jersey has been a force to be reckoned with this season. Their first two lines are excellent, and their offense has produced the 13th most goals per game, just behind the Maple Leafs. Yet, as good as they’ve been offensively this year, New Jersey has been incredible defensively. They are allowing the 2nd least goals against per game, and their goalie tandem of Jakob Markstrom and Jake Allen is one of the best in the NHL. They have positioned themselves well for the playoffs and will undoubtedly make a push for the cup. They embody the old adage that “defense wins championships.”
10. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are another team with greatness all around, averaging the 12th most goals per game and the 12th least goals against per game. While Auston Matthews is undoubtedly still the star here, William Nylander and Mitch Marner have been absolute beasts in their own right, with important production also coming from their linemate John Tavares, as well as from Matthew Knies on the front line. Toronto’s 1, 2 punch of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz in net has also been exceptional, and they have the look and feel of a team who will put it all together at the right time this year. Look for them to absolutely make the playoffs and to make a serious push to win it all.
11. Minnesota Wild
12. Colorado Avalanche
13. Los Angeles Kings
14. Ottawa Senators
15. Columbus Blue Jackets
16. Boston Bruins
17. Vancouver Canucks
18. New York Rangers
19. Calgary Flames
20. Utah Hockey Club
21. Detroit Red Wings
22. St. Louis Blues
23. Buffalo Sabres
24. Pittsburgh Penguins
25. Montreal Canadiens
26. Philadelphia Flyers
27. Seattle Kraken
28. New York Islanders
29. Anaheim Ducks
30. Nashville Predators
31. San Jose Sharks
32. Chicago Blackhawks
