After a very long time spent aside, the Rankings Boys are again. How did we have fun the event? With a playoff staff draft, after all.
With the 16-team discipline doubtless set (barring an epic collapse) and a pile of labor forward of us subsequent week to organize, we determined to do our playoff preview rating per week early. And we did that by doing a draft of the 16 playoff groups.
The scoring system: one level for a first-round win, two for a second, three for a 3rd and 4 for successful all of it. The prize? Bragging rights and precisely one beer.
Dom and Sean took turns drafting one staff apiece and used that because the rankings framework for the week. The one that drafted the staff then needed to say why that staff would win all of it this 12 months, with the opposite providing a rebuttal.
And listed here are the groups:
Dom: Panthers, Jets, Oilers, Avalanche, Leafs, Kings, Wild, Canadiens
Sean: Stars, Golden Knights, Capitals, Hurricanes, Lightning, Blues, Senators, Devils
Tell us within the feedback which aspect you assume will win the first-ever Rankings Playoff Draft.
1. Florida Panthers, 46-29-4
Final week: 4
Drafted by Dom
“Boring however appropriate.”
Why they’ll win: The defending champs are nonetheless the league’s most feared staff — even when they’ve limped to the playoffs over the previous couple of weeks. Certain, they’ve a gantlet forward of them, however this staff is completely stacked from high to backside and could have a wholesome Matthew Tkachuk able to roll for Sport 1. No staff has a greater mixture of star energy and depth, or offense and protection. They’re the Cup favorites for good cause and a comparatively simple first alternative.
Why they received’t: They’re on observe to have a brutal first-round matchup (howdy, Battle of Florida), and the blue line remains to be type of a multitude; Aaron Ekblad’s suspension lasts till Sport 3, and Dmitry Kulikov is damage. The end result, for now, is that Niko Mikkola is enjoying top-pair minutes. Not ideally suited.
2. Dallas Stars, 50-23-6
Final week: 2
Drafted by Sean
“This staff kinda stinks with out Heiskanen.”
Why they’ll win: They’re a little bit of a multitude with out Miro Heiskanen. No means round that. They’ve been demolished at five-on-five for the final six weeks, they usually made a nasty bit of history on Tuesday. Nonetheless, Heiskanen is on observe to play within the first spherical. If that occurs, every little thing falls into place. They’ve an excessive amount of expertise up entrance and in web to fall all that far, though this seems like a attain.
Why they received’t: No Heiskanen is cause sufficient. If the Stars have been enjoying the Blues or Wild within the first spherical, it might be simpler to offer them a go. In opposition to the Avalanche, although? Good luck. They’re going to have Cody Ceci lining up in opposition to Nathan MacKinnon. That’s … a sizeable downgrade from the man they’d doing that final 12 months in Chris Tanev. The dearth of defensive depth will likely be Dallas’ demise.
3. Winnipeg Jets, 54-21-4
Final week: 1
Drafted by Dom
“The underrated Winnipeg Jets, this seems like their 12 months to truly do one thing.”
“Yeah their five-on-five scoring positively received’t dry up when it issues, no means.”
Why they’ll win: All the pieces feels to be lining up for the Jets this season. A possible division win means they’ll keep away from Colorado in Spherical 1 (and possibly get a worn-out model in Spherical 2). Connor Hellebuyck is on the high of his sport, and the opposite stars are shining vivid. Plus, the Jets are as deep as common. It feels just like the doubtless Presidents’ Trophy champions aren’t getting the respect they deserve proper now.
Why they received’t: Because the 4 Nations break, Winnipeg is twenty second within the league at five-on-five in objectives/60 and nineteenth in pictures/60. That’s not terrible, but it surely’s definitely not nice — and possibly a bit ominous, given how issues have gone for them within the latest previous.
4. Vegas Golden Knights, 48-22-9
Final week: 6
Drafted by Sean
“I nearly took them at No. 2.”
Why they’ll win: They’re a territorially dominant staff with a ton of defensive talent (behind solely the Kings in five-on-five objectives in opposition to/60 since March), they usually’ve acquired a observe report of playoff success. They’re additionally going to keep away from the Colorados, Dallases and Edmontons of the world within the first spherical.
Why they received’t: I’ve a tough time pondering of causes to not like Vegas other than, “I like a unique staff a bit extra.” The Golden Knights really feel like a jack-of-all-trades staff, however I’m undecided they’ve a very overwhelming participant. Their finest at any place or function is matched pretty properly by different powers within the West. Vegas might haven’t any weak hyperlinks, however the staff’s robust hyperlinks are a bit weaker than others. Not by quite a bit, however maybe by sufficient.
5. Edmonton Oilers, 45-28-5
Final week: 10
Drafted by Dom
“I’m a bit nervous concerning the ol’ gambler’s fallacy. The Oilers often have 3-to-1 odds of beating the Kings. What if that is ‘the one’ the place they lastly lose?”
Why they’ll win: They’ve Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They’ve one of many deepest protection corps within the league. These components are greater than ok to hold an in any other case lackluster staff. I’ll gladly guess on two of the league’s best possible gamers to do what they do finest and win a couple of playoff sequence on their very own.
Why they received’t: Stuart Skinner’s save proportion begins with “8,” they usually’ve misplaced extra video games than they’ve received since Feb. 1. I’m undecided they’re what we would like them to be.
6. Washington Capitals, 50-19-9
Final week: 3
Drafted by Sean
“This one positively seems like a ‘please don’t yell at us’ choose for the followers in D.C.”
“Little nervous about Thompson and Protas being damage, too.”
Why they’ll win: Factors carry over to the postseason, proper? I regretted this one nearly instantly. However right here goes: I feel Spencer Carbery is a very elite coach. I feel they’re going to get a positive attract Spherical 1 — no offense to whichever younger Atlantic Division staff it seems to be. I really like them for storyline functions. And I’ve been fallacious about them earlier than.
Why they received’t: The ability of friendship can take a staff solely up to now. This has been a magical season for the Capitals through which every little thing has gone proper, however the clock has to strike midnight sooner or later. This staff shot underneath 9 p.c for 3 straight seasons at five-on-five and is all of the sudden at 11 p.c this 12 months? Not shopping for it. That’s the highest-ever mark within the analytics period. The Capitals are giving off 2023 Kraken vibes. Washington might win a spherical. Possibly even two. However in opposition to the league’s actually elite, it’s onerous to see them stacking up.
7. Colorado Avalanche, 48-28-4
Final week: 7
Drafted by Dom
“I’m all-in on the Landeskog issue.”
“Simply think about him on the fourth line on the very least. How do you compete with that?”
Why they’ll win: The vibes from a Gabriel Landeskog return may need sufficient juice on their very own. Past that, the Avalanche have two of the very best gamers on this planet, improved depth, and a very good goalie between the pipes. They’ve additionally been throttling good groups down the stretch. They made the Golden Knights seem like the Sharks earlier this week, dominating play from begin to end.
Why they received’t: They’re banged up past no matter occurs with Landeskog, and the first-round matchup — even when they win it — goes to be brutal.
8. Carolina Hurricanes, 46-27-5
Final week: 5
Drafted by Sean
“May need the simplest path to a convention closing.”
Why they’ll win: They’re going to get a weakened model of the Devils within the first spherical, then doubtlessly a weakened model of the Caps within the second, they usually’re nonetheless doing Hurricanes stuff; they’ve acquired 4 actually efficient strains and a deep group of defensemen who give them precisely what they want. I’m simply going to fake I picked them at No. 2 and the Caps down right here. Drawback solved.
Why they received’t: Similar cause as at all times: a scarcity of oomph. That was the principle cause to like the preliminary Mikko Rantanen deal, and whereas they made out tremendous pivoting when it didn’t work, the ensuing roster with out him (or Martin Necas) lacks game-breakers. That’s very true given Andrei Svechnikov’s struggles this season, scoring 19 objectives and 46 factors in 68 video games. Possibly they’ll Corsi their option to a Cup, however this roster simply doesn’t seem like it has the offensive juice.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs, 48-26-4
Final week: 8
Drafted by Dom
“Nice worth, I would’ve taken them at 10.”
“I used to be questioning how lengthy I might push the Leafs down earlier than you felt such as you needed to take them.”
Why they’ll win: The Core 4 nonetheless guidelines, and Matthew Knies has been an animal recently. The highest 4 on protection appears to be like stronger than ever, the goaltending is a real supply of power, they usually have the within observe to successful the Atlantic, guaranteeing a non-Florida staff within the first spherical. Certain, they’ve regarded off at occasions this season, however Berube-hockey has them wanting higher ready for the playoff grind. Possibly this time actually is totally different!
Why they received’t: As a result of they’re the Leafs. Additionally, each goalies have spotty damage histories.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning, 45-26-7
Final week: 9
Drafted by Sean
“I used to be going to take them at No. 8 however felt protected that the Leafs could be gone at No. 9 and the Lightning would nonetheless be there.”
Why they’ll win: Excessive-end expertise, child. Additionally, Andrei Vasilevskiy leads starters in save proportion for the reason that 4 Nations break (.930) and is third in objectives saved above anticipated. No one ought to really feel comfy choosing in opposition to the Lightning if he’s enjoying that means.
Why they received’t: There’s a cause we each waited so lengthy to seize the Lightning regardless of them being arguably a top-five staff. A primary-round date with the Panthers is a brutal draw. If that’s the final consensus high staff, that’s a tricky option to begin the playoffs. Even when they win, surviving and not using a few battle scars that can have an effect on them down the street feels not possible. Past that, the Leafs have type of owned them this season, successful all 4 video games.
The Lightning look scary good and have all of the items to win all of it, however the Atlantic pecking order makes issues actually robust to begin.
11. Los Angeles Kings, 45-24-9
Final week: 11
Drafted by Dom
“That is the final good staff.”
Why they’ll win: The Kings are arguably the league’s high defensive staff and seem like a power with Darcy Kuemper on the high of his sport. They’ll be extraordinarily onerous to attain in opposition to. In addition they look quite a bit nearer to the Oilers than common — sufficient to consider this may lastly be the 12 months they get previous their bitter first-round rival. If protection wins championships, the Kings are well-positioned this 12 months.
Why they received’t: Good as they’re, they’re nonetheless simply too quick on offense to make it by the Western Convention. In some unspecified time in the future, whether or not it’s in opposition to McDavid or MacKinnon or Eichel or Barkov, they’re going to wish a star to tug them to a couple wins. Love the roster, however there, it’s missing.
12. St. Louis Blues, 43-30-7
Final week: 16
Drafted by Sean
“Hopefully Holloway is prepared for the playoffs. In any other case …”
Why they’ll win: They might properly begin the postseason after enjoying to a 130-point tempo for 2 full months. Why ought to we assume that’ll instantly change? Additionally, Robert Thomas has led the league in factors for the reason that 4 Nations break.
Why they received’t: Dylan Holloway has develop into an enormous a part of St. Louis’ core, and the early indicators of his damage being a protracted one aren’t ideally suited. That genuinely could be sufficient to bitter St. Louis’ possibilities of going deep. Quite a bit relies on which bracket the Blues draw into, however as good as their run for the reason that 4 Nations break has been, they’ll be an underdog to both Winnipeg or Vegas. They’re legit, however that’s a tricky place to begin with out one in all your higher forwards.
13. Minnesota Wild, 43-29-7
Final week: 14
Drafted by Dom
“Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek are again they usually dropped eight. Possibly they’re not that unhealthy!”
“Shocker.”
Why they’ll win: When wholesome, the Wild have been a juggernaut early within the season. Now that Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek are again, the Wild really feel like a dark-horse staff that may be capable to pull off a shock upset. They’ve acquired extra offensive firepower than previous groups whereas persevering with to be defensively sound. Filip Gustavsson has the chops to steal a sequence, too. They might be a degree beneath the league’s contending class, however after they’re on their video games, they could be a power.
Why they received’t: It’s unfair and unrealistic to count on Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek to instantly flip them again right into a high-end contender. They have been one of many very worst offensive groups within the league with out them.
14. Ottawa Senators, 42-30-6
Final week: 12
Drafted by Sean
“Nice worth for after they beat the Leafs within the first spherical.”
Why they’ll win: As a result of they’re enjoying the Leafs.
Why they received’t: Ottawa’s high finish doesn’t examine favorably to the opposite beasts of the Atlantic, and that’s the crux of the problem at hand. The place does Tim Stützle rank subsequent to Auston Matthews, Aleksander Barkov and Brayden Level? The place does Brady Tkachuk rank subsequent to Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk and Nikita Kucherov? In each instances, it’s on the backside. Ottawa has some respectable depth, however the staff’s stars don’t look Cup-caliber. Not but, anyway.
15. Montreal Canadiens, 39-30-9
Final week: 17
Drafted by Dom
“The X-Elements for a repeat of 2010 in opposition to Washington are lining up: eighth seed in opposition to one of many high groups, underrated goalie who can steal a sequence, electrifying rookie debuting for the playoffs, Ovechkin led by an important bald coach. It’s future.”
Why they’ll win: Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson and Sam Montembeault have legitimately been among the many finest gamers at their respective positions for the reason that 4 Nations break. That might supply some severe star-power in a sequence, sufficient to get by with a bit luck on their aspect. The Canadiens have a historical past of going deep after they haven’t any enterprise doing so all through the wage cap period. This staff appears to be like lower from the identical material.
Why they received’t: They’ve the worst objective differential of any playoff staff and are nonetheless an entire mess defensively. The Canadiens have been a staff many anticipated could be beneath .500 this season, and that model of the staff nonetheless comes out sometimes, particularly when the staff’s stars are off the ice. Montreal’s depth will doubtless get crushed when the video games matter.
16. New Jersey Devils, 41-30-7
Final week: 13
Drafted by Sean
“Possibly Jack Hughes will come again early.”
Why they’ll win: Jacob Markstrom is able to stealing a sequence — it’s why the Devils went out and acquired him within the first place. Additionally, they’ve gone 8-6-1 since Hughes’ season ended. Too many individuals, current firm included, have already written them off.
Why they received’t: Possibly they might win with Hughes, they usually definitely regarded that option to begin the season. However with out him, the remainder of the lineup simply doesn’t fall into place the way in which you’d prefer it to. The staff’s depth was already a sore spot and appears like an absolute mess with everybody transferring up the lineup in Hughes’ absence. The Devils are merely unfold too skinny.
17. Vancouver Canucks, 37-29-13
Final week: 15
Disappointing is an understatement. Regression was honest to count on, however man did the Canucks simply look offensively pathetic a lot of the 12 months. It’s not even that they weren’t scoring finally 12 months’s fee; it’s that they weren’t the staff that drove play to shut the 12 months, both. A season from hell.
18. Calgary Flames, 37-27-14
Final week: 19
Dustin Wolf has wobbled a bit down the stretch, however he nonetheless deserves the lion’s share of credit score for Calgary staying within the race so lengthy. Solely six goalies within the league have saved extra objectives above anticipated. Put him in your Calder ballots.
19. Columbus Blue Jackets, 36-33-9
Final week: 16
The Blue Jackets have been an absolute deal with this season, a pleasure to observe nightly with their electrical offense. They’ll be again within the combine subsequent season and past.
20. Detroit Crimson Wings, 36-35-7
Final week: 21
They simply acquired handed by two different younger(ish) Atlantic Division groups. Can’t think about that feels nice.
21. Utah HC, 36-30-13
Final week: 18
Utah got here shockingly near a playoff spot, however a closing push was too little too late. Is subsequent 12 months the 12 months? Possibly. However they’ll want higher well being than they acquired this season. Early accidents to John Marino and Sean Durzi did quite a lot of harm.
22. Anaheim Geese, 35-36-8
Final week: 28
Don’t be shocked to see the Geese this excessive; they’re 17-12-2 for the reason that 4 Nations break, and in that span, Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish every have extra factors than Connor McDavid. Subsequent season, it’s best to take them critically.
23. Buffalo Sabres, 35-37-6
Final week: 30
The Sabres are ending the season on a excessive, successful 10 of their final 14 video games — sufficient to get proper again towards a .500 season. This staff is best than its report, however it might be good if the Sabres really had some tangible success to point out for it.
Daring proclamation: Subsequent 12 months is the 12 months they lastly get it.
24. New York Rangers, 37-35-7
Final week: 17
Add this bit to the checklist of causes to hate what’s gone on with the Rangers.
The one good factor the Rangers did this season was intestine the roster with a purpose to open up cap area to overtake the staff for subsequent season.
One small downside. They’ve already spent all of it. pic.twitter.com/Fc08L34ALw
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) April 10, 2025
25. New York Islanders, 34-33-11
Final week: 28
Are the Islanders a playoff staff with a wholesome Mathew Barzal? In all probability not, however they’d be a complete lot nearer than they’re now. Barzal lacking 52 video games was a heartbreaker. Even when his manufacturing wasn’t as much as his common requirements, his puck possession dominance instructed he was prepared to show it on in a giant means. An actual disgrace we now have to attend till subsequent season for that.
26. Philadelphia Flyers, 32-37-9
Final week: 25
To not downplay the remainder of the Flyers’ points, however their goaltending this season by no means gave them an opportunity. Philadelphia has the worst staff save proportion within the league (.871) and allowed practically 0.6 objectives above anticipated per sport.
27. Pittsburgh Penguins, 32-35-12
Final week: 27
Sidney Crosby is 37 years outdated and scored at a 93-point tempo this season. It’s his seventh straight season scoring above a 90-point tempo. That’s legendary. If not for a dip in league-wide objectives between 2014 and 2017, Crosby’s point-per-game report might’ve been an much more absurd 90-point tempo report.
28. Seattle Kraken, 34-40-6
Final week: 29
Matty Beniers deserves credit score for his defensive work, but it surely’s Yr 3 and he’s producing factors on the identical fee as Jordan Martinook. Some concern there’s warranted; if he’s not a high-end piece, Seattle’s long-term plan doesn’t work.
29. Nashville Predators, 29-42-8
Final week: 26
What a catastrophe. Shoutout to Steven Stamkos for a four-point evening earlier this week. That barely salvaged his stat line for the 12 months, although 52 factors whereas being an enormous unfavorable defensively clearly doesn’t come near being price $8 million. The Predators want an enormous bounce-back from him subsequent season.
30. Boston Bruins, 32-39-9
Final week: 24
We’ll concentrate on two positives: The season is sort of over, and the Bruins have solely 11 gamers underneath contract for 2025-26.
31. Chicago Blackhawks, 23-46-10
Final week: 31
All the pieces that might go fallacious did go fallacious for the Blackhawks this 12 months — they usually nonetheless weren’t the league’s worst staff. Spectacular feat.
32. San Jose Sharks, 20-47-11
Final week: 32
The Sharks had a stretch in March through which they received 5 of 10. Since that, the tank has gotten again on observe. A hat trick in a loss for Macklin Celebrini, which we noticed in opposition to Minnesota on Wednesday, is their ideally suited final result.
(Photograph: Elsa / Getty Pictures)
