2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Power Rankings!
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs start today! Yes, April 20th, 2024. I’m going to keep this short and sweet because there is just too much to do with the NFL Draft. As the resident hockey guy, I’m going to drop my power rankings as we head into the playoffs. Bagdonas also contributed to the post and you can see each person’s rankings accordingly.
16: Washington Capitals
Average: 16
(Trey 16, Bagdonas 16)
This team has a -37 goal differential. Do I really need to say anything else? Credit to Ovechkin for picking it up in the second half. Credit to Spencer Carbery too. The Dylan Strome signing worked out. Okay, I’m done.
15: New York Islanders
Average: 15
(Trey 15, Bagdonas 15)
The pillow fight of the bottom of the Eastern Conference concludes here. Credit to the Isles for picking it up after Patrick Roy was hired. It’s funny how the Islanders wanted to give Ilya Sorokin all this money and Semyon Varlamov is the Game One starter. Why are we paying goalies again? That’s the heart of their team and it isn’t enough in the modern NHL.
Tie 13: Winnipeg Jets
Average 13.5
(Trey 14, Bagdonas 13)
I just don’t trust the Jets. Sorry, I don’t. Pierre-Luc Dubois is a cancer and that trade was awesome for them. I get all of that. I’ve been on that side since day one. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are awesome. I fully get that. Adam Lowry the shut down center. I hear you. I’m just never going to pick the fake ass Canadian Leafs. Sorry, not sorry.
Tie 13: Nashville Predators
Average 13.5
(Trey 13, Bagdonas 14)
It turns out that Andrew Brunette is a damn good coach. This was a classic retool that worked. Ryan O’Reilly has played his balls off on the first line playing a full 200 feet. Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg have been filthy all year. Even Gus Nyquist is having a year! I respect them. Juuse Saros can get hot too making them dangerous. Just feels like they’re not deep enough. Still have work to do on the overall roster.
12: Los Angeles Kings
Average 12
(Trey & Bagdonas 12)
If you pulled out the hindsight machine on some of the moves that Rob Blake made, it would make Kings fans vomit. What if they had Brock Faber? What if they never got rid of Gabriel Vilardi for the Dubois cancer? Okay, I’ll stop now. Just not sure this Kings team has it. Adrian Kempe is a lightning rod but Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty can only do so much. Just think it’s going to be another round one exit. They have an interim coach right now too.
11: Toronto Maple Leafs
Average 10
(Trey 9, Bagdonas 11)
You want to believe in the Leafs. The D core they have is just not Stanley Cup worthy. For as good as the forward group is, that blue line is just not up to par. It’s hard to advance them because of it. It’s also a total mystery in net too.
Tie 9: Boston Bruins
Average 9.5
(Trey 10, Bagdonas 9)
Last year they had a record setting season. This year they’re missing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci from the equation. Not sure they play defense quite the same as last year either. Can’t overlook them but they don’t seem strong enough down the middle to put any higher.
Tie 9: Vancouver Canucks
Average 9.5
(Trey 11, Bagdonas 8)
Bagdonas brings the score up for Vancouver. They’re an awesome story but I feel as though they may have a short stint in the playoffs. This is a team that feels like an NBA team that needs more playoff experience. The core they have is great. Let’s make them prove they can win at this time of the year first.
8: Tampa Bay Lightning
Average 9
(Trey 8, Bagdonas 10)
Kucherov, Point, Hedman, Vasilevskiy, Stamkos. Star power, baby!
7: Colorado Avalanche
Both ranked 7
MacKinnon, Rantanen, Makar. These teams feel similar, right? Top heavy with flaws.
6: Florida Panthers
Average 5.5
(Trey 5, Bagdonas 6)
They made the Finals last year and just feel like a team that is built for the playoffs. A team that’s laced with pricks that hit and forecheck. Wish the blue line was a bit better but if Bob gets hot they have as good of a chance as anybody.
5: New York Rangers
Average 5
(Trey 6, Bagdonas 4)
The Rangers are down for me just because they feel so reliant on the powerplay. Just don’t see Zibanejad wrecking other top lines at five on five. They’re a damn good team. President’s Trophy for a reason. Just also a team filled with young guys like Lafrenière that need to step up.
4: Edmonton Oilers
Average 4.5
(Trey 4, Bagdonas 5)
I would go higher but Ken Holland continues to not get it. Talk about a GM that just doesn’t do his job. McDavid and Draisaitl speak for themselves. Is Stuart Skinner really going to be a workhorse during the whole playoffs? Is the blue line good enough? What about the bottom two lines? They should be favorites but they shoot themselves in the foot so much it’s hard to say they’re favorites.
Tie 2: Dallas Stars
Average 2.5
(Trey 2, Bagdonas 3)
Dallas is so damn good. Young, deep, star power, goaltending. They got everything. They are the number one seed in the West for a reason.
Tie 2: Vegas Golden Knights
Average 2.5
(Trey 3, Bagdonas 2)
This team is so juiced. Especially after the deadline. They’re the defending champs and counting them out would be silly. Also, a totally different team with Mark Stone, who they didn’t have in the second half. They get everybody healthy and maybe they should realistically be considered the team to beat.
1: Carolina Hurricanes (Both ranked first)
I have Carolina one because of Freddie Anderson. Go Google his numbers. The guy is on a heater. Plus the Jake Guentzel addition? Sebastian Aho is such a tank and they have a fantastic blue line. It just might be their year.
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