We are headed to the Conference Finals! Only four teams are left standing, and this is how we rank them:
1. Edmonton Oilers
After winning the first two games of their series against the Golden Knights on the road, Vegas was able to fight back in the series with a dramatic goal to win game three. The Oilers were too much for the Knights in game four, though, and shut them out in game 5 to win the series 4-1. The Oilers 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. Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina won their series over the Devils pretty handily. Then they won their series over the Capitals just as handily, and the Capitals were the best team in the Eastern Conference all season long. They will be well-rested for when they face Florida, which could give them an edge in the series early on.
3. Florida Panthers
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. In game four, though, the best version of the Panthers showed up, they evened the series, and then they followed that up with a 6-1 beatdown of the Leafs in game 5 in Toronto. Game six was a battle; they were shut out, but they blew out the Leafs in game seven on the road and will play the Hurricanes.
4. Dallas Stars
They looked great in game one against the Jets, winning on the road in Winnipeg. They were shut out in game two, though, but rebounded to win game three and game four at home. They were shut out again in game five, but bounced back in game six at home to win the series 4-2. 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. Of those three teams, the Stars are the only ones remaining.
