It’s the same story every year around this time. Most of the Stanley Cup playoff races are locked up, some matchups are already decided and there’s not a whole lot worth caring about.
Once again The Rankings Boys have you covered with one reason to keep tuning in for each team, whether that’s a playoff race, a division title, or a personal milestone for a star player. Every team has something. Here’s why you should keep watching.
Last Week: 1
Record: 58-12-5
Sean rank: 1
Dom rank: 1
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David Pastrnak’s goal on Thursday night — his 53rd of the season — accomplished a few different things. It beat the Blue Jackets; it set the franchise record for wins (58) and tied the franchise record for points (121); it clinched the Presidents’ Trophy (and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs) in March. And it pushed the Bruins a bit closer to a serious bit of NHL history. They need to win five of their final seven games to set the NHL record with 63 victories. Getting there seems tough — there are games against New Jersey, Toronto and Pittsburgh remaining — and absolutely doable. Meanwhile, the all-time points percentage mark (.825, 1976-77 Canadiens) is out of reach, but they’re currently alone in second (.807). Unreal.
2. New Jersey Devils
Last Week: 2
Record: 47-20-8
Sean rank: 2
Dom rank: 2
A 50-goal season may be out of reach for Jack Hughes, but the superstar center is only nine points away from his first 100-point season. He’s 13 away with just seven games remaining so it won’t be easy, but it’s certainly doable with the way he’s played this year. If he hits the mark he’ll join an elite club featuring Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Staal as the only players to hit the mark before turning 22 in the salary cap era.
Last Week: 6
Record: 43-23-9
Sean rank: 3
Dom rank: 4
A division title is still within reach, but the real reason to watch is the same as it always is in Oil Country: The Connor McDavid show.
He already has 61 goals and 144 points — just how high can he finish this season? With six games left, a 150-point season should be a cakewalk, but can he hit 65 goals or even 155 points? We’re excited to find out.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Last Week: 4
Record: 44-20-10
Sean rank: 5
Dom rank: 3
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There hasn’t been much reason to watch the Leafs this year in terms of narrative. We’ve known exactly where they were going to finish and who they would play in the playoffs since December or so — and they’ll only be judged on what they do in April and beyond anyways. Right now the main reason to watch is to see how the team jells after a busy deadline. The pieces are starting to come together and it feels like a second training camp as the team tries to figure out who plays where. What are the defense pairings going to be in the playoffs? That’s the big question and the remaining games might have the answer.
Last Week: 8
Record: 44-24-6
Sean rank: 4
Dom rank: 5
From 2019 to 2022, Nathan MacKinnon scored at a 110-point pace every season. In 2017-18, he scored at a 107-point pace. Believe it or not, he’s never actually scored 100 points. He came closest in 2018-19 with 99 — the one year he didn’t pace for 105 points — but he’s been undone by games missed every season. The same is true this year as MacKinnon has only been able to suit up for 63 games, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up 95 points. With eight games left can he finally reach the century mark, or will he encounter yet another unlucky malady?
Last Week: 7
Record: 46-22-7
Sean rank: 7
Dom rank: 6
Every team wants to win their division, but it’s probably a bit more pressing for the Golden Knights. Finishing first in the Pacific would almost certainly get them out of playing the Oilers, who they’ve struggled with this season. Edmonton has won three of four against Vegas and averaged 4.5 goals scored in the process. Doesn’t matter whether it’s Logan Thompson or Laurent Brossoit in net; both guys would rather avoid Connor McDavid. Imagine that.
Last Week: 5
Record: 44-21-10
Sean rank: 6
Dom rank: 7
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Can they keep things rolling? Post-deadline, the Rangers are 9-3-1 with a plus-20 goal margin and are playing to the highest points percentage (.731) in the Eastern Conference. It’s not a coincidence that in that stretch, Igor Shesterkin has put up a save percentage above .930 and the eighth-best GSAx in the league. That’s 2021-22 Shesterkin, in other words. Other teams should be concerned.
Last Week: 3
Record: 47-18-9
Sean rank: 9
Dom rank: 8
Are, uh, we sure the Hurricanes are going to win the Metropolitan Division? Wednesday’s zero-point loss to the Red Wings took their probability from 84 to 70 percent. Now, their remaining schedule is a little soft, and they don’t play the Devils or Rangers — that helps. Still, this is a team that’s gone 4-6-1 and been outscored 37-25 overall since Andrei Svechnikov’s injury. In those 10 games, they’ve seen a major drop in their five-on-five numbers and rolled out the least efficient power play in the league. Not good.
Last Week: 11
Record: 44-22-9
Sean rank: 8
Dom rank: 9
Other than trying to retain control of the Central? Let’s all see what Matt Boldy pulls off next. There’s an element of luck in scoring 11 times in 11 games — just like there’s an element of luck in going 19 games without beating a real, live goalie, as Boldy did earlier this season — but the binge he’s been on has been remarkable, entertaining and supplemented by some really encouraging numbers across the board.
Last Week: 9
Record: 40-20-14
Sean rank: 10
Dom rank: 10
Regaining control of the Central would be nice for Dallas, even though it’s not particularly likely at the moment. They’re three points behind the Wild with a game in hand. If that result holds, the Stars can blame their overtime issues. Only Calgary and San Jose have more ✌️overtime ties✌️than their 14.
Last Week: 10
Record: 43-20-10
Sean rank: 11
Dom rank: 11
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It’s the same story for a few teams in this section of the rankings: win the division and avoid a worse matchup. There’s a big difference between playing Edmonton or Vegas in the opening round compared to Seattle or Winnipeg. For the Kings, it’s the difference between being favored in the opening round and not. They threw everything they could at Stuart Skinner on Thursday night, but couldn’t buy a goal, losing a tight one to the Oilers in regulation. That loss puts them one point back of the Oilers with a game in hand. The Kings have played very well of late, but finishing third in the division would be far from ideal.
Last Week: 12
Record: 44-26-6
Sean rank: 12
Dom rank: 12
The Lightning haven’t had a lot to play for over the past few months as they patiently wait to embark on what is hopefully another long run. One interesting thing to watch for though is Brayden Point chasing his first-ever 50-goal season. He has 47 right now with six games left — his odds of getting there look pretty good. If Point gets there it would be the fourth 50-goal season in franchise history, joining Steven Stamkos in 2009-10, 2011-12 and Vincent Lecavlier in 2006-07.
Last Week: 13
Record: 39-28-9
Sean rank: 13
Dom rank: 13
With each passing day, the Islanders get a little closer to true-blue playoff lock status. They’re not quite there yet, though. Best to wait for Pittsburgh or Florida to drop another game or two and watch Ilya Sorokin continue to make his case for the Vezina Trophy. It feels increasingly like the general managers are going to opt for Linus Ullmark. That’d be a tough break for Sorokin, who does more for his team than any of his peers.
14. Seattle Kraken
Last Week: 14
Record: 40-25-8
Sean rank: 14
Dom rank: 14
Against all odds, the Seattle Kraken are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, their first ever. That was hard to believe possible after watching their inaugural season, but the Kraken have found the magic touch this year. Witness history.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins
Last Week: 15
Record: 37-28-10
Sean rank: 15
Dom rank: 15
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For months, the Penguins’ destiny has seemed clear; drag themselves into the playoffs, then get stomped by whoever they draw in the first round. They haven’t yet accomplished the first half of that equation, and on plenty of nights it seems like they won’t — Tuesday’s zero-point loss to Detroit, for example. When it comes to the second wild-card spot, though, all you have to be is better than the team behind you, and they’ve at least managed that.
Last Week: 16
Record: 38-31-7
Sean rank: 16
Dom rank: 16
The Panthers are one of the most watchable teams right now in the sense that they’re one of the few still fighting for a playoff spot. But actually watching them try to earn that spot has been painful. They’re a shade of the powerhouse they were last season and have looked listless on a number of occasions over the past two weeks as their odds slip away. Florida’s final six games should be exciting on the basis of the stakes at hand alone, but it would be nice if the team played a game worthy of the playoff spot it’s trying to earn.
17. Winnipeg Jets
Last Week: 17
Record: 41-31-3
Sean rank: 17
Dom rank: 17
The Jets have seven games to pull the car out of the ditch. When a team loses 14 of 21, you’re probably going to have your choice of spots to place blame, and the whole thing (shocker) starts with the Jets’ best forwards … but it’s also worth noting that Connor Hellebuyck has an .894 save percentage and is 54th in GSAx since Feb. 28. This roster always had the scent of one that relies too heavily on its goalie, and that’s been proven correct.
18. Calgary Flames
Last Week: 19
Record: 34-26-15
Sean rank: 18
Dom rank: 18
On Friday night, the Flames will try to a) win their third consecutive game for the first time since Dec. 7 and b) tie the Jets in points. This is not a team that should be in a playoff race, but here they find themselves. That isn’t a complaint — we’ll take relevant April games wherever we can get them, even when they involve aggressive mediocrity.
Last Week: 18
Record: 37-29-8
Sean rank: 19
Dom rank: 19
Somehow, someway this Predators team— without Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen and all the pieces they sold at the deadline — is still in the playoff mix. Whichever team let that happen (we won’t name names, but it rhymes with “regrets”) should be embarrassed. Juuse Saros has been the driving force behind Nashville’s shocking playoff bid and watching him tend the goal is reason enough to tune in.
Plus you’ll get to learn about exciting players like Egor Afanasyev, Luke Evangelista, Tommy Novak, and Cole Smith. Those are all real players, we promise.
Last Week: 20
Record: 37-33-5
Sean rank: 20
Dom rank: 20
The Senators had a one percent chance at making the playoffs entering Thursday night’s game. They’re five points back with just seven games — it’s not happening.
But.
What if it does? What if the Senators pull off a miracle?
It won’t happen, but it might happen. One out of 100 times. Don’t risk not watching, you might miss it. Plus you might get to see Ryan Reynolds pop up. That’s exciting, too.
Last Week: 21
Record: 35-31-7
Sean rank: 21
Dom rank: 21
Just like Ottawa, it will take a miracle for the Sabres to make the playoffs. Their chances are a little better thanks to having an easier schedule and more games remaining, but they’re obviously still facing very long odds. If you’re a Sabres fan who somehow still has hope then that’s reason enough. For the more realistic fans, it’s about the future and that could start Friday night with Devon Levi’s first-ever NHL start. Buffalo’s biggest issue this season was between the pipes — he could be The Answer for next year.
Last Week: 21
Record: 34-33-9
Sean rank: 23
Dom rank: 22
Alex Ovechkin has 42 goals with six games remaining. Before you discount the possibility that he could hit the 50-goal mark for a 10th time and snag the all-time record for himself, remember that this season alone, he’s had stretches of seven in four and nine in six.
Last Week: 23
Record: 34-34-6
Sean rank: 22
Dom rank: 23
Will Elias Pettersson (13-game point streak) and the New Coach Bounce (16-9-3 under Rick Tocchet) combine to nuke the Canucks’ Connor Bedard hopes? They’re at 5.0 percent and falling. Good work, fellas, but you’ve made your point.
Last Week: 24
Record: 35-34-6
Sean rank: 25
Dom rank: 24
The Blues aren’t playing for anything, but there’s still some excitement in watching their “found money” crush it down the stretch. Sammy Blais has 18 points in 24 games, Kasperi Kapanen has 12 points in 16 games, and Jakub Vrana has nine goals in 13 games. Those are nice returns on three players who either weren’t expected to offer much (Blais, Kapanen) or didn’t cost much (Vrana). If they keep this up maybe there’s hope for the Blues after all for next year.
25. Detroit Red Wings
Last Week: 25
Record: 33-32-9
Sean rank: 24
Dom rank: 25
The Red Wings are on the verge of playing themselves out of the Bedard Race completely; only the top 11 teams have an actual shot at the No. 1 pick, and that’s the spot Detroit finds itself in at the moment. Seriously, they’ve beaten the Penguins and Hurricanes this week.
Last Week: 26
Record: 29-32-13
Sean rank: 26
Dom rank: 26
The Flyers have a pretty sizable lead in the standings on the 27th-place Coyotes. Maximizing their odds for Bedard will be tough, but they do get a little better if Carter Hart is sidelined for an extended period of time. Let’s see how close they can get.
27. Arizona Coyotes
Last Week: 27
Record: 27-35-13
Sean rank: 27
Dom rank: 27
Did you know Clayton Keller has a realistic shot at 90 points? Probably not. It’s a cool story, and one worth noting today specifically — Friday is the one-year anniversary of his brutal leg injury.
28. Montreal Canadiens
Last Week: 28
Record: 30-40-6
Sean rank: 28
Dom rank: 28
The Montreal Canadiens have been an infirmary this season with injury after injury after injury. It’s led to some newcomers getting a shot they might not have received otherwise. For a rebuilding team that’s reason enough to watch — and to hope no other serious injury gets added to the list.
Last Week: 29
Record: 23-42-10
Sean rank: 30
Dom rank: 29
Any team with young players wants them to show a nice finishing kick. Beyond that, the question is whether any Duck on the current roster winds up with a plus rating. Unless you count deadline addition Scott Harrington, Anaheim’s best bets are Derek Grant (minus-5) and Troy Terry (minus-8).
30. San Jose Sharks
Last Week: 32
Record: 21-39-15
Sean rank: 29
Dom rank: 30
It’s not often there’s any logical reason to watch any team in the league’s bottom third at this point in the season. The Sharks are the exception to that rule and have been all season for one reason: Erik Karlsson. All year we’ve wondered whether he can actually hit 100 points and that quest is coming down to the wire. He’s at 91 points with seven games left — does he pull it off?
31. Columbus Blue Jackets
Last Week: 31
Record: 23-43-8
Sean rank: 31
Dom rank: 31
The original question was whether rookie winger Kirill Marchenko would bolster his Cy Young candidacy (20G, 3A), but if we’re being honest, he’s already put a bow on that one. At the moment, he’s in “Cliff Lee in 2008” territory.
Last Week: 30
Record: 24-45-6
Sean rank: 32
Dom rank: 32
You’re still watching?