It’s almost time for playoff hockey! Which of these 10 teams do you think will win the Stanley Cup? Or will there be a team that surprises us all? Let us know in the comments:
1. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are now leading the league standings once again with 106 points. What more is there to say about the Jets? Aside from last week, they have been ranked number 1 here all season, and Winnipeg wasn’t about to let Washington get away with taking the lead for very long. This will be a fun battle to watch for the remainder of the season, as these two teams will no doubt remain neck and neck with each other in both the official standings as well as these power rankings.
2. Washington Capitals
While the Capitals have slid back down to 2nd after a small cold spell, they remain the top competition for the Jets. Their offense is the best in the game and their defense is very good to boot. Ovechkin and company will no doubt start racking up the wins again in short order and continue pushing to dethrone Winnipeg.
3. Dallas Stars
The Stars are now just one point behind the Capitals after winning 11 of their 15 games in March. They are rocking an awesome 6 game win streak currently and are gaining considerable momentum as we head closer and closer towards the playoffs. They have three excellent offensive lines, a good defense and both of their goalies are at the top of their game. Right now, they are looking like they could beat anyone.
4. Florida Panthers
The Panthers have had mixed results lately, but they also just got Brad Marchand back. Marchand should help to heat their offense up, and while they are still down, Matthew Tkachuk on offense and Aaron Ekblad on defense, both players will return during the playoffs. The fact that the defending champions will get boosts with the return of each of these players bodes well for them as they try to win it all again.
5. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is stacked with talent and had a great month of March, winning 10 of their 14 games. Despite a rough start to the season, the Avalanche are now right where they want to be. They have all of their main pieces back to good health and look plenty dangerous enough to challenge for the cup.
6. Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is actually 4th in the official standings with 98 points, just four points behind Dallas. The Golden Knights have been good all season and are in great shape for the playoffs, ending March on a red hot 6 game winning streak. They are 4th in goals per game and have allowed the 5th least goals against per game, which speaks to their all-around excellence. They are a sneaky pick to win it all, but what they’ve done all year suggests it’s absolutely possible.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes dominated this past month, winning 11 of their 14 games. Their team seems to be really clicking right now with some great chemistry across their offensive lines. Frederik Anderson is particularly hot right now, winning the past 6 games he’s started as he splits time with Pyotr Kochetkov in net, who is also playing quite well. These are all great signs for Carolina and have to give fans some hope that winning the Stanley Cup might be possible this year.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are still rocking the 2nd best offense in the league and seem to be heating up of late. They’ve scored a whopping 19 goals over their past 3 games, all of which were wins (understandably). Vasilevskiy is looking great right now too, winning 5 of the 6 past games in which he’s started. Though Tampa Bay hasn’t been the most consistent team this year in terms of performance, what they lack in consistency, they make up for in explosiveness. They are dangerous enough to take down any other team when they are clicking, and they are currently clicking in a big way.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are actually tied with the Hurricanes and Avalanche for 5th in the standings. That being said, statistically, Toronto lags behind the teams ranked above them here. Their defense, in particular, has been their weakness, though they have been performing a lot better in recent weeks, winning 6 of their last 8 games. As I’ve said all season, they have what it takes to win it all. The question is, will they be able to put it all together in time?
10. Los Angeles Kings or Edmonton Oilers
The Kings are mighty impressive defensively, as they’ve actually allowed the 2nd fewest goals against per game in the NHL. Unfortunately, their offense is not nearly as impressive, ranking just 18th in goals per game. It’s funny to compare them to the Oilers, who have a good offense with some of the best offensive talent in the game but whose defense has allowed the 19th most goals against per game. The two teams are basically polar opposites. Los Angeles has inched past Edmonton in the official standings into the top 10. They are actually tied now with the Panthers and the Lightning with 91 points. That said, Edmonton is not far behind them all with 89 points, and Connor McDavid coming back is key.
