You can almost smell the playoff hockey in the air. Each team has around 12 games to play left, give or take. Some teams are in a comfortable position and can afford to coast a little bit as we reach the end. Others are locked tight into that final playoff push, be it to actually make the NHL playoffs or to improve their own positioning.
And, of course, some teams have already completely given up hope on the season and are looking forward to the next. Let’s see how each team ranks with the postseason just a couple of short weeks away.
Who are the top teams in the NHL power rankings after week 24?
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Sharks were officially the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention for the second year in a row. Given the fact that they completely sold everything with a pulse at the deadline this year, it’s hard to say where they go from here. One thing is for sure, though: San Jose fans can buckle in for a long period of rebuilding. This team isn’t getting out of the basement any time soon.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Hawks weren’t far behind the Sharks in terms of being eliminated from contention, but at least they avoided being the first team to do so. They can also take pride in the fact that despite how long this rebuild takes, they’re still in a better position than the Sharks. Regardless of all that, though, the Hawks absolutely have to find a way to build around Connor Bedard. The kid needs some help before he gets too frustrated and decides he has a better future elsewhere.
30. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 27)
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NHL stories via Google! Follow Us
The Flyers aren’t technically eliminated from playoff contention, but they’re about as out of it as you could possibly be without the X next to your name in the NHL standings. With just one win in their last ten games and seemingly no real starting goaltender, the Flyers’ future is a lot murkier than it was a year ago when it seemed playoff contention was once again on the horizon.
29. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 30)
The Sabres aren’t really in a much better position than Philly, but at least they seemingly remember how to win games, albeit inconsistently. Buffalo more than likely chalked this disaster of a season up as a loss a few weeks ago, but they haven’t fully committed to a tank like the teams below them. That being said, on paper, they also have a much brighter future than the teams below them.
28. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: 29)
I wish I could sit here and talk about how this team has a bright future, and they’re just a couple of steps away from figuring it out. I wish I could say that because the truth is I like Seattle. I like their fanbase. The atmosphere in that arena is insane. But I can’t say that because the truth is I don’t know.
This team lacks a real identity and seems to be coasting on the little talent it does have. They wanted a team that could win games off of depth rather than have NHL superstars, but that depth hasn’t delivered.
27. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 28)
Now, unlike the Kraken, I can sit here and say that the Pred’s future may not be all that dark. Yes, this season has been an absolute disaster. Yes, if they have any window at all, it’s incredibly small due to their aging roster. I don’t think they will be hoisting a Cup any time soon.
But on paper, this team is still a fairly solid hockey team. At their best this season, they’ve shown flashes of greatness. Cup or not, I do think we’ll still see a couple more playoff appearances from this squad.
26. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
A couple of weeks ago, I was pointing out how funny it was that despite their awful season, the Ducks were still only five points out of a playoff spot. Well, now they’re 13 points out of a playoff spot, and that gap only continues to get bigger. It’s not like they really had any chance of making it in the first place, but it was fun to point out that, at one point in time, they weren’t really all that far off.
25. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: 24)
This season has been an unmitigated disaster for Boston. However, that horse has been beaten enough times now. There’s one glaring issue that needs to be addressed. Jeremy Swayman has been awful. Yes, awful. This was a man who was in talks of being the best goaltender in the NHL just a season ago.
A man just signed a massive contract extension while his teammate Ullmark was shipped out. Boston bet their future on this man, and so far, he has laid a giant goose egg. The best-case scenario is this is just an offseason.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 25)
It feels weird to me that the season is almost at an end, and Crosby hasn’t hit the 30-goal mark yet. I’m certainly not implying that he’s washed, as he’s still about to break 80 points on the season, but he is slowing down, albeit slightly. Granted, he hasn’t exactly had the best team around him this year, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
23. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Red Wings continue to fall further and further behind and dash the hopes of fans who want to see them finally end their postseason drought. In the process of this collapse, they continue to show that the issues that prevented them from making the playoffs last season haven’t really been fixed at all this season. If anything, outside of goaltending, they’ve likely gotten worse.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: 18)
Watching the Jackets fall further and further from an NHL playoff spot has been heartbreaking. They’ve lost six in a row, and each loss has stung more than the previous. There’s still hope, though. New York and Montreal aren’t exactly blowing doors down, and Columbus just got Sean Monahan and Eric Gudbranson back from injury. Columbus is only four points out of a spot, but they need to start making that push now. Another week, and it may be too late.
21. New York Islanders (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Islanders are the textbook definition of just chugging along. They’re 5-3-2 in their last ten, and that’s been enough to keep them in this playoff race. They’re only two points behind Montreal for that last playoff spot, and given that the Habs aren’t doing the best job of pulling away, it’s not totally out of the picture for the Islanders to chug their way into the playoffs for yet another year.
20. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 17)
The Rangers were dangerously close to being ranked behind the Islanders this week, but given that they’re one point closer to that last wild-card spot, I gave them this. Igor Shesterkin is playing great right now, which is giving the Rangers chances to steal games. Now, they just need to actually start stealing games. The NHL playoff push isn’t going to get any easier, and New York isn’t exactly in prime position to take time off.
19. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 21)
If the Canucks end up missing the playoffs this season will be crippling for them. They crawled and fought their way back into relevancy the last couple of years, shocked the world by dominating and winning the Pacific last year, took the eventual western conference champion Oilers to the brink, and looked prime to make an even deeper run this year. Now they’re fighting tooth and nail to even make the postseason after being forced to trade some key pieces.
18. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: 19)
The Habs haven’t exactly been blowing anyone away with their streak recently, but they’ve been getting points, and that’s all that matters. Going 5-1-4 in their last ten has gotten them into the second wild card slot, and now they just need to hold it. The Rangers and Islanders are right on their heels, however, so there really isn’t a lot of room for error.
That being said, given how last season turned them out, to even be competing for an NHL playoff spot this late in the season is a massive step forward for this squad.
17. Utah Hockey Club (Previous rank: 16)
Clayton Keller continues to lead the way as this Utah club makes its final push for the playoffs. A 7-1 loss to the Oilers certainly hindered them a bit, but they didn’t hesitate to win their next two after that. They currently sit six points out of that final wild card spot, and unfortunately for them, both Minnesota and St Louis are red hot right now. That hasn’t seemed to affect this squad’s confidence much, though.
16. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 20)
If Dustin Wolf doesn’t win the Calder Trophy this season, I’m going to start a riot. This isn’t meant to be disrespectful to Celebrini, but Wolf has put this team on his back and given them a chance all season long. They would not be in this playoff push right now if it weren’t for him. You could even make a case for him winning the Hart trophy at this point in time. I understand that’s maybe a long shot, so do the kid a favor and give him the Calder. He’s earned it.
15. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 14)
The Devils continue to trot along slowly, crawling their way to the finish line. Given the painfully boring state of the Metro division’s playoff race, they’re all but guaranteed a playoff spot at this rate, but their recent play has done little to inspire confidence in their abilities once they get there. They might want to consider actually getting hot or at least winning some games before the NHL playoffs start. Get at least a little bit of momentum.
14. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 10)
The Leafs are in a similar position as the Devils, albeit at least Toronto is competing for the top of their division. That being said, if you’re a Toronto fan, you’re absolutely begging this team to show you something before the playoffs start. You’re BEGGING them to not get knocked out in the first round again. At least Auston Matthews has gotten hot at the right time.
13. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 8)
This is by far the most we’ve seen from the Bolts since they won the Cup. That being said, it still doesn’t feel like enough. I think they could make a decent splash in the NHL postseason, especially if they play the Leafs in the first round, but I don’t think a Cup run is in the cards. It does at least show that they aren’t just lying down and waiting for a rebuild to take over them. This is still very much a team capable of competing.
12. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: 13)
The Oilers have seemingly turned things around after what was a fairly rough stretch for a bit there. However, their rough patch has allowed the Kings to catch up and overtake them. They’ll have to avoid as little error as possible in order to keep home-ice advantage in the first round, but quite frankly, I’m just not sure they have the depth to do it right now. They will always have a chance against any team they play against, but it’s hard to put my utmost faith in them right now.
11. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 15)
The Wild have finally started getting hot again, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After being in a free fall the last month or so, they’ve found their footing and are working to hold their playoff positioning. Ending the Kings’ five-game winning streak was especially impressive for this squad, as it showed that they could compete with anyone. Imagine how good they’ll look when they get fully healthy again.
10. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 11)
The Senators continue to impress me. I thought their collapse was imminent a couple of weeks ago, but no. They refound their footing and have continued to put in points in the NHL. Not only do they continue to pull away from the other wild card competitors, they’re actually catching up to Tampa. That’s certainly not the news you want to hear if you’re Toronto or Tampa, but for Ottawa, it must be music to their ears.
9. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Vegas must’ve seen LA in the rearview mirror charging towards them and hit the panic button. They’ve seemingly gotten their act together now, but can they hold it together, especially with as hot as the Kings are? They’re going to have to, and there’s no time left for mistakes or skids. This is where the former champions have to start playing like a champion squad. It’s do-or-die time.
8. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 4)
The Panthers have slipped and stumbled a bit in the last couple of weeks. This has allowed Toronto, Tampa, and even Ottawa to begin closing that gap for the top spot in the Atlantic again. I wouldn’t worry too much, though. This team won the Cup last year for a reason, and I have no doubt they will continue to prove their merit this year. That being said, they may want to consider proving it sooner rather than later.
7. St Louis Blues (Previous rank: 12)
The Blues are the hottest team in the NHL right now,, bar none. Not only have they won six in a row, but they’re 8-1-1 in their last ten, and it really looks like they’re going to make the playoffs. Jim Montgomery has turned this team from a run-of-the-mill bubble team to one of the best defensive teams in the league and a genuine playoff threat. I never would have guessed this would be their position at the start of the season.
6. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: 5)
It may seem cruel putting the Canes this low, considering that not all that long ago, they were on an eight-game winning streak and are still 9-1-0 in their last ten. That being said, it can’t be ignored that they got absolutely slammed by the Kings 7-2 to end that streak. Regardless, it looks like a first-round matchup with the Devils is inevitable for this squad, and that is probably the best-case scenario for them, especially since it seems like they’ve secured a home-ice advantage.
5. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 2)
As stated last week, the top of these NHL rankings is packed so tight that even one loss can drop you. The Stars are still a tremendous team. This drop in the rankings does nothing to indicate otherwise. However, they’ve been on a win-one, lose-one sort of streak lately, and other teams around them have gotten quite hot. That doesn’t change my mind in saying that the Stars will definitely still be a team to watch once the playoffs start.
4. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 6)
The Avs are locked and loaded and ready for the NHL postseason. Not only did they patch their two glaring flaws midseason in a way that few teams could succeed in doing, but they’ve begun playing like the Avs that won the Cup. It still feels like there’s a hole in the roster now that Mikko Rantanen is gone, but Martin Necas fits into this roster quite nicely. They seem destined for a first-round matchup with Dallas, and that should be pure fireworks.
3. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 7)
Oh my. It’s one thing to stomp the Bruins 7-2. But to do it the day after you ended the Hurricanes’ eight-game winning streak by the same score is downright impressive. Kuemper is in Vezina talks right now. The team has multiple players scoring and getting hot (seriously, will someone please tell Anze Kopitar that he is nearly 38 years old.)
The defense is outstanding. The power play has lacked tremendously this season, but they’ve made up for it in other ways. If this team meets Edmonton in the first round again, I may actually pick them.
2. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 1)
The Jets have stumbled a bit recently, but they’re still well in control of the Central division. Honestly, they can just focus on rest and getting ready for the NHL playoffs because despite not officially clinching just yet, they’re most definitely going to make it. And for the first time in a long time, I actually have confidence that this team may be able to make a somewhat decent run.
1. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 3)
The Caps were the first team to officially clinch a playoff berth, as well as the first team to hit 100 points. If things continue down this trend, they will more than likely win the President’s trophy. I never would’ve guessed that at the start of the year.
With a playoff berth clinched and the division lead solidified, the Caps can relax and focus on getting Ovechkin that goal record and staying healthy for the postseason.
