Here are the top 10 teams in the NHL right now:
1. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets have allowed the least amount of goals against per game by a wide margin and are 3rd best in goals per game. They remain at the top of the standings and seem intent on staying there. They are locked in for the playoffs and really have to be part of any conversation about who might win the cup.
2. Washington Capitals
The Capitals are scoring the most goals per game and are tied with the Devils for the 3rd least goals against per game. Although they are 2 points behind the Jets in the standings, Washington stands in many respects right alongside Winnipeg at the top of the league. There is a huge gap in points between these 2 teams and the rest of the NHL, as the Stars are 9 points behind the Caps for 3rd. Washington is clearly one of the top contenders to win it all this year.
3. Dallas Stars
The Stars are 4th in goals per game, have the 5th least goals against per game, and are tied with Carolina for the best penalty-kill percentage in the league. They have a very strong team this year that got even stronger at the trade deadline with the addition of Rantanen. They have won 7 of their last 11 games and are on a great trajectory to make a run at the cup.
4. Florida Panthers
While they are the defending champs, Florida has actually had to come a long way this year to evolve into the team they are now. Their defense, in particular, has greatly improved since the start of the season, and they can now boast having the 9th least goals against per game while scoring the 9th most goals per game (tied with Edmonton and Columbus). They have had to deal with some serious blows lately, losing Aaron Ekblad to a 20-game suspension and new addition Brad Marchand to injury. Fortunately, newly acquired Seth Jones has the talent to fill in for Ekblad and Mackie Samoskevich has been a revelation filling in for Marchand. It’s incredible how resilient Florida is proving to be. They are, of course, a top contender and certainly look like they have what it takes to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. This will be especially true when they are back to full force in the playoffs.
5. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are ranked 5th in goals per game and have allowed the 12th least goals against per game (though, like the Panthers, that number has improved greatly since earlier this season). They have been skyrocketing up the standings, and after winning 8 of their last 11 games, they now sit 7th in points, tied with Florida. They made some really good additions to their team at the deadline and are headed straight for that cup with a lot of momentum.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are scoring the 2nd most goals per game while allowing the 7th least goals against per game. They made some solid additions at the trade deadline and now have 3 great scoring lines with a solid defense and an awesome goalie. That’s a recipe for success.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina obviously took offense to their drop in these rankings last week, and the Canes have been on quite a hot streak, winning seven straight games since losing their first game this month to the Oilers . They are tied with Vegas for 4th in the standings, ranking 7th in goals per game while allowing the 6th least goals against per game. The Hurricanes are showing how much depth they’ve had all along, with guys like Taylor Hall getting more of an opportunity now and stepping up their game. They certainly look ready for the playoffs and like they will make a serious attempt at winning the cup.
8. Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are ranked 6th in goals per game and have allowed the 8th least goals against per game. They also boast the 2nd best power play percentage (behind just the Jets). They have been rock solid all season long and will remain a formidable opponent for anyone facing them in the playoffs. It might be a bit unexpected if they went on to win it all due to how good some of the other teams are this year, but it would not be shocking.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
They have the 8th most goals per game but now sit mid-pack in goals against per game. For some reason, the Leafs seem like they are still struggling to put it all together this year. The easy answer is tightening things up defensively, but it feels like more than that. They have the personnel to win the cup, and they still have some time before the playoffs to really heat up, but as of now, they are still not playing as well as you’d like to see if you’re a Toronto fan.
10. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are firing the most shots per game in the NHL and are averaging the 9th most goals per game to show for it. They aren’t nearly as good defensively, but they are still decent, allowing the 13th least goals against per game. They are 10th in points, just below the Lightning/Leafs and just above the Kings. Edmonton has been plagued a bit with injuries, but the big names are still healthy and firing on all cylinders. They will be a team worth watching and one that certainly has the offensive talent to win it all.
