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NHL: Ranking The Teams In The Stanley Cup Playoffs

Staff

Published

May 20, 2025

May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) celebrate winning game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

This is how we rank each team after play on Friday night:

1. 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. 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 and did the same in game 7. They are on a roll and showed that in the game one and game two wins over the Hurricanes.

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)

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. Their series against Dallas didn’t get off to a good start, but after losing game one, they bounced back with a 3-0 shutout win and the series now heads to Edmonton for two games.

3. 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, 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. Game one against the Oilers was close, but the Stars eventually pulled away and took a 1-0 series lead. In game two, they were completely shut down, though, and now they need to win a game in Edmonton in order to avoid a possible 3-1 series deficit.

4. 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. 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 were the well-rested team in game one on Tuesday night against the Panthers, but it was the Panthers who were all over the Hurricanes. It got worse for the Canes in game two, as they were completely dominated by a stronger, faster, and more determined Panthers team.

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