The NHL playoffs began over the weekend, and here are the up-to-date playoff power rankings:
1. Winnipeg Jets
No surprise here. The Jets have kept the boosters on since the start of the season and are elite both offensively and defensively. They have taken the first 2 games in their series against the Blues and will look to continue flying high.
2. Washington Capitals
“Ovi-ously” the Caps come in at #2, as they have the all-time leading goal scorer to help try and lead them to a Stanley Cup. Washington was the only other team to rank #1 in these power rankings at one point, and you know they’ll do everything they can to finish the season back up in that spot. They currently lead Montreal 1-0.
3. Vegas Golden Knights
Up 1-0 against Minnesota, the Golden Knights are armed with a lethal offense and shielded by an even better defense. They are looking like a serious contender for the cup this year.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
As pointed out in last week’s article, the Lightning have the top offense in the NHL and a top 5 defense. Despite finishing a bit lower in the standings in the regular season, Tampa Bay has what it takes to defeat any team on this list in the playoffs. They have what it takes to win the cup.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto has been amazing lately and is up 1-0 against Ottawa. They will have their work cut out for them if they make it to the next round, as they will either face the defending champs or the Lightning. However, this is by far the best the Leafs have looked all season.
6. Florida Panthers
I’m very excited for this series. The defending champs will have a tough time defending themselves against the high-octane Tampa Bay offense, but Brad Marchand has returned, and Matthew Tkachuk will be a game-time decision for their first game. Both of these players are capable of sparking the rest of the offense and giving a much-needed boost to Florida’s morale.
7. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have one of the best defenses this year and have really built up considerable momentum to finish the regular season. It’s cool that they face Edmonton, as the two teams are polar opposites in nature. I’m betting on the better defense, but the Oilers certainly have the offensive personnel to prove me wrong.
8. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton has an impressive offense on paper, yet they have struggled defensively this year, and their offense has underperformed in actuality, finishing the season outside the top 10 in goals per game. Maybe they’ve just been saving it for when it counts most?
9. Dallas Stars
The Stars have fallen behind 1-0 against the Avalanche, but they could easily turn things around and make it to the next round. They have been one of the best teams all season, but unfortunately, they will almost certainly face Winnipeg if they do end up defeating Colorado. Hence, the lower rank here.
10. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is up 1-0 against the Stars, and they do have what it takes to defeat them if they can keep the momentum going. Unfortunately, they face the same problem even if they do manage to defeat Dallas: Winnipeg is likely next.
11. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is leading their series against New Jersey 1-0. They definitely have what it takes to make it to round 2, but if they do, they will likely face Washington. I’m not sure they have what it takes to stop that force.
12. Ottawa Senators
Though Ottawa is behind 1-0 against Toronto, the Senators have been quite good of late. They could conceivably come back and upset, but the problem is Toronto is the better team overall and has also been really hot lately.
13. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are another team that really turned things on later in the season. They have the unenviable task of facing the Capitals in round one, however, and are currently losing 1-0 in the series. Outlook not so great.
14. New Jersey Devils
The Devils suffered a miserable game one loss to the Hurricanes, with several of their players going down to injuries. They could certainly turn it around in game 2, especially considering how good they’ve been defensively this year, but it’s been a frustrating 2nd half of the season for them in general, and this is the last thing they needed to happen to start the playoffs.
15. Minnesota Wild
The Wild started the season very strong, but statistically, they looked like they were playing over their heads. This proved to be true, as they slid down the standings as the season went on. Now they are down 1-0 against the formidable Golden Knight,s and my guess is the puck stops here for Minnesota, sadly.
16. St. Louis Blues
It’s a bummer that the Blues were pitted against the Jets right out of the gate in the playoffs. St. Louis has been such a great success story this season with a remarkable turnaround under their new coach. But that’s life. They are down 2-0 to Winnipeg, and it’s not looking too promising against the NHL’s best team.
