This is how each remaining playoff team ranks right now:
1. Edmonton Oilers
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. They were down in the opening game to the Golden Knights as well, before storming back with 4 goals to win game one.
2. Washington Capitals
Washington conceded a game to Montreal but finished them off in game 5. In round two, though, they have already lost a game, as the Hurricanes beat them in OT Tuesday night to take a 1-0 series lead.
3. Florida Panthers
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. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina won their series over the Devils pretty handily. Carolina has been great all season, and they showed that in their big game one OT victory over the top-seeded Capitals.
5. Winnipeg Jets
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. Vegas Golden Knights
The Knights had a harder time with the Wild than anticipated. Now they are going to have a tough time with the Oilers, who just never go away. Things looked good for Vegas early on in game one, but the Oilers did what they do best, make comebacks, winning 4-2 and taking a 1-0 series lead over Vegas.
7. Dallas Stars
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.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs survived a comeback from the Sens in round one, and they survived another comeback attempt in game one 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.