These are the top 8 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. There is a huge gap in points between Washington and Winnipeg and the rest of the NHL, as the Stars are a bunch of 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.
4. Florida Panthers
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
They have been skyrocketing up the standings. 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 three great scoring lines with a solid defense and an awesome goalie. That’s a recipe for success.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
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
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.
