“Some of you might like watching The Bachelor. I like watching the NHL playoffs.” —Pierre Dorion, Ottawa Senators general manager
We believe we speak for everyone involved — except for maybe Marc-Andre Fleury, Tyler Johnson and Zach Parise — when we say, “Drop the puck already.”
The thrills, upsets and triple-OTs are almost here. Looking at how the playoff-bound teams fared down the stretch, how their path to the Stanley Cup lays out, as well as their health right now, we evaluate the clubs vying for Lord Stanley’s mug — and tacked on the opening betting lines just for fun.
Here’s a power-ranking of all 16 teams entering the most wonderful and unpredictable tournament in sports.
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1. 
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals are the healthiest team entering the post-season. The value of this cannot be understated.
“We’re here to win a championship,” general manager Brian MacLellan said this week. “Anything less than that is unsuccessful.”
As if there wasn’t enough pressure in the U.S. capital. The Caps bring the league’s only 50-goal man and the likely Vezina champ into the most anticipated post-season in franchise history.
Vegas odds: 4/1
2. 
The Dallas Stars get slighted for their goaltending and defence, even though GM Jim Nill improved both those areas. The Stars’ plus-37 goal differential was easily the conference’s best. Tyler Seguin (Achilles) practised with the team on Monday for the first time since his injury — a bright sign for the Stars, who went from lottery team to the tops in the West.
Vegas odds: 8/1
3. 
An eight-game winning streak at season’s end has given the Pittsburgh Penguins home ice in Round 1 and makes them a trendy choice to win the Eastern Conference. But an upper-body injury to Matt Murray and the persistent symptoms of Marc-Andre Fleury’s concussion create a big question in goal. Plenty of injuries to overcome here.
Vegas odds: 9/1
4. 
The St. Louis Blues are nothing if not due, and have all the components for a deep run. But you’ve heard that story before. A first-round matchup versus the defending champs will be a monstrous first step for the club, which enters the post-season having won eight of its last 10. The Blues named Brian Elliott their Game 1 goalie for the first time since 2013, but Jake Allen is healthy enough to back up. Bet on captain David Backes to return from his undisclosed injury for Game 1.
Vegas odds: 10/1
5. 
The NHL’s best defensive team. The NHL’s best power-play unit. The NHL’s best penalty-killing machine. Elite defence and special teams are ingredients for a deep, successful run, which means the Anaheim Ducks have as good of a shot as any team to win it all.
Vegas odds: 8/1
6. 
Built for the post-season, the Los Angeles Kings‘ collapse to the Jets in their final regular-season game gets them a date with San Jose — a team that hates the Kings way more than Nashville hates the Kings. Fortunately, L.A. thrives on hate, but the Kings’ road to the Cup final — should they make it that far — will be their toughest one yet. The West is deep, and the East is for real this season.
Vegas odds: 7/1
7. 
The defending champions bring the league’s runaway Art Ross Trophy winner, the probable Calder recipient, and — now — a healthy starting goalie with two Cup rings. No. 1 defenceman Duncan Keith sits out Game 1, which hurts — but not as much as it could have. The offence is explosive, and the resolve should not be questioned, but the teams above the Chicago Blackhawks on this list should be hungrier.
Vegas odds: 15/2
8. 
After a one-year hiatus, the San Jose Sharks quietly return to the post-season as healthy as they’ve been all year. The addition of James Reimer has brought refreshing depth to the goaltending position, and motivation should not be an issue with the Sharks drawing nemesis L.A. in Round 1. NHL Awards candidates Brent Burns and Joe Thornton already have a head start on playoff beards.
Vegas odds: 16/1
9. 
“I’m pumped. I’m ready to go,” said GM Dale Tallon. The Florida Panthers‘ Atlantic Division title has even affected their GM’s golf game. “I’m hitting the ball about 15 yards farther.”
Florida brings a fun, dangerous mix of raw youth and shrewd leadership. As Jaromir Jagr warns, “Don’t sign the middle guys.” Tallon didn’t, and he’s mixed up a cocktail for the tournament’s most endearing underdog.
Vegas odds: 20/1
10. 
Captain Steven Stamkos is essentially done for the playoffs and possibly as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Top-pair defenceman Anton Stralman is hobbling around in a boot and on crutches. And now centre Tyler Johnson, the team’s leading scorer in its run to the 2015 Cup Final, is questionable with an upper-body injury. If healthy, Tampa is in our top five. Tampa is not healthy.
Vegas odds: 20/1
11. 
The Nashville Predators are healthy but… just OK. The team ranks outside the top 12 in both offence and defence. Drawing a beastly Anaheim team that just claimed the William M. Jennings Trophy won’t do them any favours.
Vegas odds: 25/1
12. 
Keith Yandle is pumped up, but can he and the rest of the Rangers’ D core make up for the absence of captain Ryan McDonagh, who will definitely not be available for the start of their series? A mediocre road team, the Rangers don’t have home-ice advantage, and stud goalie Henrik Lundqvist has been pulled from more games this season than, like, ever before.
Vegas odds: 16/1
13. 
One of the best stories of the last month, the Philadelphia Flyers‘ rally into the playoffs now comes with heavy hearts. Wayne Simmonds says an angel is watching over them. The nothing-to-lose Flyers will honour owner Ed Snider with patches on their sweaters and should play loose enough to scare Washington. “It’s going to be a lot of pressure on them,” returning Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth told NHL.com.
Vegas odds: 33/1
14. 
The New York Islanders essentially tanked the final game of the regular season to draw Florida instead of Pittsburgh. A bad-luck squad earning some bad karma? New York must win Round 1 without its best goaltender, Jaroslav Halak. Plus, the team’s best defender, Travis Hamonic, is ailing. Tall order.
Vegas odds: 25/1
15. 
With their playoff appearance streak on life support, the Detroit Red Wings kept it alive for Year 25. Barely. Losers of two in a row, Detroit squeaked into the post-season with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference. There is a musical-chairs situation in the blue paint, and the team’s most purely skilled player is having anxiety about his future.
Vegas odds: 33/1
16. 
Backing into the dance with the fewest standings points (87) for a Western Conference playoff team in 17 years, the Minnesota Wild ride a five-game losing skid into Dallas, where the Stars should be licking their chops. Minny’s best forward, Zach Parise, may not play at all after aggravating his back, and Thomas Vanek and Erik Haula are banged up as well. Devan Dubnyk must stand on his head if this team has the faintest chance.
Vegas odds: 28/1
