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NHL: Ranking The Remaining Teams In The Stanley Cup Playoffs

Staff

Published

May 4, 2025

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 we rank the teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs:

1. 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. Now they have won the first two games of their series against the Golden Knights on the road. They went to game 7 of the Cup Finals last year and are poised to make another deep run. They are on a mission to get back there and win it this time.

2. 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)

They were the best team in the Eastern Conference all year long, so the fact that they lost game one in OT shouldn’t sway anybody’s opinion. They bounced back with a big win in game two to even the series.

3. 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)

The Jets got over their game one hangover after their crazy first-round series and won a much-needed game two over the Stars. They shut them out and scored four goals. The Jets are healthy for the first time all postseason and could be back on track.

4. 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)

Not many people gave the Leafs a chance in this series against the Panthers. They lost a heartbreaker in OT in game three, but still lead the series 2-1 with a chance to win game four on Sunday and go home up 3-1.

5. 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)

Although they lost each of the first games to the Leafs by just one goal, they allowed nine goals through two games. They allowed four more goals in game 3, but were able to come away with the OT winner on a lucky bounce. The Leafs are giving them more trouble than expected.

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)

They looked great in game one against the Jets, winning on the road in Winnipeg. They were shut out in game two, though, and the series now shifts back to Dallas. They were one of the best teams in the NHL during the year, but flew under the radar at times because of how good the Jets and Capitals were.

6. 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. Carolina has been great all season, and they showed that in their big game one OT victory over the top-seeded Capitals, but did lose game two.

8. 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. 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. Then, in game two, Vegas came back with two goals in the 3rd period to force OT, only to lose anyways.

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