EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
This is how each remaining playoff team ranks right now:
1. Washington Capitals
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 23: A general view of the Washington Capitals jersey logo during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on October 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Washington conceded a game to Montreal but finished them off in game 5. They will now host the Hurricanes, who dismantled the Devils in 5 games
2. Edmonton Oilers
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Edmonton was down 2-0 against Los Angeles, but impressively, they came back and won the next four games to win the series. They went to game 7 of the Cup Finals last year and are poised to make another deep run.
3. Florida Panthers
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: A detail of the Florida Panthers logo during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Panthers hit the ground running in their series against the Lightning. Having all their players back on the ice made all the difference in the world, and they now look like true defending champions. They lost game 1 to the Leafs, but to their credit, they made it close after being down 4-1 entering the third period.
4. Vegas Golden Knights
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 15: A general view of the Vegas Golden Knights jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Knights had a harder time with the Wild than anticipated. They won game 5 in OT and won game 6 to finish the series off. Now they face the Oilers, which will be no easy task.
5. Winnipeg Jets
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 04: A close-up detail of the Winnipeg Jets logo seen during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
This game 7 was crazy, the Blues were up 3-1 late in the game before the Jets scored with just under 2 minutes left, then with 3 seconds left to force OT. They came away with the OT win and move onto round 2. No one could have expected the Blues to make this series so competitive, but the team that was the best in the West during the year is moving on.
6. Dallas Stars
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: A general view of the Dallas Stars jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Stars won game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead, but lost game 6 to the Avs in Colorado. They have overcome quite a few challenges this year, and they had a better offense and defense all season than the Avs, and it showed in their game 7 victory.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 01: A closeup view of the Carolina Hurricanes’ logo during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 1, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Carolina won their series over the Devils pretty handily. It will now be Hurricanes vs. Capitals in round 2. Carolina has been great all season, but they will have a difficult time taking on Washington.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is seen on a jersey during the third period of a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on October 19, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Leafs survived a comeback from the Sens in round one, and they survived another comeback attempt last night in game 1 against Florida. The Panthers were down 4-1 before storming back and making it a 4-3 game. The Leafs eventually won 5-4, and if they were facing any other team but the defending champs, they would be higher on this list.
