Weekend NHL Rankings: The Wild, the Canadiens, and the 10 Teams Yet to Be Ranked

As we approach April, the NHL regular season is nearing its conclusion with only three weeks left, certainly setting the stage for some intense playoff races. With many teams vying for playoff spots, it's essential to recognize the squads that have maintained their status in the mediocre middle of the pack throughout the season—never quite breaking into the top five or sinking into the bottom five. This year, a notable 10 teams have managed to remain in this limbo, and here's how they stack up.

The Bonus Five: Teams Avoiding Extremes

5. Strong Contenders Yet to Break Through: Among the best teams lurking just outside the top ranks are the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. Both squads have shown potential to challenge for top-five status throughout the season while battling with the Florida Panthers atop the Atlantic Division. If either of these teams can regain their form and finish strong, they might just break into the upper echelon.

4. Satisfied but Not Spectacular: Teams like the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames find themselves on this list. Each has had its fair share of ups and downs but remains competitive in a tight playoff race. The Flames, despite faltering lately, have improved from what many expected at the season's start.

3. The Middle Ground: The New York Islanders and the Utah franchise have been grinding through the season, maintaining a place near the playoff bubble but failing to spark any serious excitement. While they lack the star power to make fans dream of a deep playoff run, their consistency keeps them afloat.

2. A Season of Collapse: The Boston Bruins started the season strong but have drastically underperformed in recent months. Following a coaching change, they have struggled to find their footing and face an uphill battle to avoid sinking further down the standings.

1. The Enigma: The Vancouver Canucks epitomize unpredictability. Despite falling short of pre-season expectations, they remain clinging to a playoff push amid off-ice turmoil and roster changes. Their rollercoaster of a season offers thrill and agony alike for fans.

Stanley Cup Contenders: Road to Glory

As we delve deeper into playoff speculation, certain teams have risen to become favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup this year:

5. Carolina Hurricanes (45-24-4, +44 goal differential): The Canes have been consistent and poised for a playoff run, especially with their upcoming matchup against the Capitals that could serve as an early playoff preview.

4. Vegas Golden Knights (45-20-8, +57): Winning six straight games showcases their momentum as they gear up for a crucial test against the Oilers and Jets.

3. Washington Capitals (47-17-9, +72): Despite a recent dip with back-to-back losses, the Capitals' overall performance keeps them firmly in the conversation for a deep postseason run.

2. Dallas Stars (48-21-4, +63): The Stars remain strong contenders, but concerns linger regarding potential playoff matchups and injuries.

1. Winnipeg Jets (51-19-4, +83): Dominating the standings, the Jets get the top spot this week, signaling their prowess as favorites for the Cup.

The Bottom Five: A Struggle for Improvement

On the other end of the spectrum, these teams are in dire straits, contending for the first overall pick:

5. Buffalo Sabres (31-36-6, -24): A recent surge offers hints of hope, but an underwhelming season overall leads to questions about future strategy.

4. Philadelphia Flyers (30-36-9, -49): Following a turbulent season culminating in the firing of Coach John Tortorella, future changes loom large for the Flyers as instability reigns.

3. Nashville Predators (27-38-8, -51): Finding themselves at the bottom of the standings, the Predators' path to recovery remains uncertain as they look to rebuild.

2. Chicago Blackhawks (21-44-9, -69): With nothing left to play for this season, fans will keep an eye on newly debuted rookies to gauge potential for the future.

1. San Jose Sharks (20-44-9, -90): The Sharks have faced a nightmarish season with little to celebrate as they head toward the finish line.

The Canadiens: A Rollercoaster of Expectations

Currently outside the playoff picture, the Montreal Canadiens had a dazzling start post-4 Nations break but faced setbacks with a disappointing five-game losing streak. However, hope remains as they are slated to face easier teams in the coming weeks, including rematches against the Panthers and matchups against slumping rivals like the Bruins and Flyers. The path to securing a playoff berth remains achievable, but they'll need to capitalize on these crucial opportunities.

Final Thoughts

With only a few games left, the pressure is mounting. Who has what it takes to secure their playoff spots, and who will fall victim to their struggles? As we reach the critical final stretch, fans across the NHL are in for an exhilarating conclusion to the regular season!