The Stanley Cup playoffs have officially arrived, and there is an even mix of usual suspects who have staked their claim on a postseason berth, along with a handful of clubs who are back in the annual tournament for the first time in several years.
But which clubs have the best chance of ultimately being the last team standing when it’s all said and done?
No. 16: Montreal Canadiens
It’s been a great story this season for the Montreal Canadiens, who haven’t sniffed the playoffs since their miracle run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the abbreviated 2020-21 NHL season.
However, their youth and lack of experience are what is most likely to work against them against the Washington Capitals, who are the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
No. 15: New Jersey Devils
Back in the postseason after missing in 2023-24, the New Jersey Devils enjoyed a mostly consistent campaign under first-year Devils coach Sheldon Keefe.
Their major issue is the absence of star forward Jack Hughes, who is unavailable thanks to injury. That’s no small setback, and it’s likely going to cost the Devils.
No. 14: Ottawa Senators
Another club who is back in the postseason after a lengthy absence, Ottawa ultimately won out a playoff berth thanks to a second-half surge that separated them from their competition in the Atlantic Division.
The health of their captain, Brady Tkachuk, will be a major factor in whether or not the Ottawa Senators can advance for what would be the first time since 2017.
No. 13: St. Louis Blues
The hiring of former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery has proven to work magic for the St. Louis Blues, who have returned to the postseason for the first time since 2023.
A 12-game winning streak in the latter half of their season helped to propel the Blues into a playoff berth, and they could make life uncomfortable for the first-seeded Winnipeg Jets.
No. 12: Minnesota Wild
Just what version of the Minnesota Wild are we going to see this time around? While Minnesota has proven that it can have sustained success in the regular season, it’s yet to advance past the opening round of the postseason since 2015.
Against the Pacific Division-winning Vegas Golden Knights, that’s going to be a challenge.
No. 11: Carolina Hurricanes
The defensively-stingy Carolina Hurricanes are no strangers to playoff action but have yet to make an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals since their most recent championship season of 2005-06.
While the Hurricanes should realistically overcome the Devils in the opening round, they aren’t as strong as they’ve been in recent years without players like Martin Nečas in the lineup.
No. 10: Edmonton Oilers
Last year’s Western Conference champions have every intention of returning to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they’ll have their work cut out for them.
They’re already at a major disadvantage due to the injury to workhorse defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and their goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard isn’t scaring anyone.
The Edmonton Oilers do boast the two best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but they can’t do it by themselves.
No. 9: Los Angeles Kings
Matched right back up against the Oilers in the opening round of the postseason, the Los Angeles Kings will instead have home-ice advantage to begin a playoff series for the first time in several years.
This time, the Kings appear poised to take the next step thanks to the boost in net they received with Darcy Kuemper and an even mix of young and veteran talent.
No. 8: Tampa Bay Lightning
Never one to be counted out thanks to the bevy of talent they boast at all three position groups, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping for a better fate this time around in their first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers.
Nikita Kucherov remains as dangerous offensively as ever, while the Lightning always have a realistic chance thanks to the stalwart Victor Hedman on the blue line and Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes.
No. 7: Toronto Maple Leafs
Is this the year for the Toronto Maple Leafs? Fans have been asking that for the last several years now, only to have the club let them down again and again.
Despite lacking no shortage of talent along with a new no-nonsense head coach in Craig Berube, will the Leafs ultimately be able to exercise demons of playoff past against the provincial rival Senators?
No. 6: Dallas Stars
Armed with the usual suspects of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin (who recently returned from a lengthy injury absence), along with emerging young star Wyatt Johnston, Dallas now boasts Mikko Rantanen after acquiring him in a major trade with the Hurricanes earlier in the season.
The Dallas Stars are stumbling into the playoffs with a lengthy losing skid, but they should be able to flip the switch once the puck has dropped.
No. 5: Washington Capitals
One of the most dramatic improvements in recent memory, the Washington Capitals have gone from being the final team that qualified for the playoffs last season (and subsequently swept in Round 1 by the New York Rangers) to being the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference this season.
Ageless wonder Alexander Ovechkin continues to prove why he’s one of the best players in NHL history, while the club is also getting tremendous production from players like Dylan Strome and breakout second-year forward Connor McMichael.
No. 4: Florida Panthers
They’re the defending Stanley Cup champions for a reason. Set to get Matthew Tkachuk back from injury along with the ever pesky Sam Bennett and newly-acquired Brad Marchand, the title belongs to the Cats until someone knocks them off their perch.
No. 3: Colorado Avalanche
While many point to the absence of Rantanen as a reason why the Colorado Avalanche might not succeed this season, they’ve instead silenced their doubters with strong play down the stretch of the season.
Both Nečas and Jack Drury have fit in fantastically with Colorado, which also completely overhauled its goaltending. The Avalanche have as good a chance as any this season.
No. 2: Vegas Golden Knights
The top team in the Pacific Division standings, the Golden Knights, suffered no ill effects from the loss of ex-Conn Smythe Trophy-winning forward Jonathan Marchessault (who left via free agency).
They’re healthy and hungry to prove that last season’s first-round exit was an aberration.
No. 1: Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have been nothing short of a juggernaut all season long, culminating in the first President’s Trophy victory in team history.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who will be a Vezina Trophy candidate, continues to be among the best players at his position. Armed with a defiantly effective attack up front, relentless defense, and top-notch goaltending, the Jets are easily considered the favorite this season to win it all.