We are deep into the NHL playoffs and this is how we rank the team still standing:
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 either Florida or Toronto.
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 can still win the series in game seven on Sunday.
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 still lead the series 3-2 with a chance to close it out Saturday. 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.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Not many people gave the Leafs a chance in this series against the Panthers. They lost a heartbreaker in OT in game three and were shut out in game four. They were then embarrassed on home ice in game five, but bounced back in game six on the road with a shutout of their own. They are still the underdog against the defending Cup champs, but they are a scary team if they are able to move on.
6. Winnipeg Jets
Many could argue that the Jets shouldn’t have even gotten to round two. Their season was great, but their postseason has been far from it. They won game two and game five in this series against Dallas, but still trail 3-2 in the series and have been dominated in the games they have lost.
