NHL Top 10: March 1
The trade deadline is swiftly approaching on Friday afternoon, but a multitude of moves have already shaken up the league and shifted the current playoff landscape.
Some teams have vaulted themselves into legit playoff contention while others have started to falter.
So with the way things stand as of now, let’s take a look at the top 10 teams in the NHL.
10. Minnesota Wild
Kirill Kaprizov has continued his ascension to stardom and Mats Zuccarello looks like his old self, collecting 71 and 57 points so far respectively.
The Wild have also won six of their last seven games with points coming in seven straight.
9. Los Angeles Kings
While lacking a true superstar, the depth of the Kings’ roster has them vying for the top seed in the Pacific Division.
They’ve been playing well and are coming off a big win over the Jets in a shootout, but could the sudden trade of franchise legend Jonathan Quick be too tough to swallow for this locker room?
8. Vegas Golden Knights
Usually bringing in top flight talent, the Golden Knights have missed out on their top trade target in Timo Meier.
After winning five straight to start the month of February, they’ve gone on a slight skid, dropping three of their last four, but still sit atop the Pacific Division for the time being.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
After making three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances and winning two of them, the Lightning are as sure a bet to make the playoffs as anyone.
They have talent top to bottom and now with the trade of Tanner Jeannot, while questionable considering what they gave up, their depth is solidified and ready for another postseason run.
6. Colorado Avalanche
Last year’s Stanley Cup champs have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season which has hindered their level of success, but they’ve now won five straight and look like they could be the only true powerhouse in the Western Conference.
5. New York Rangers
The Rangers are going all in.
They have been playing stellar hockey since early December and now have added not just Vladimir Tarasenko, but also Patrick Kane to their top six.
However, the defense and Igor Shesterkin have struggled as of late, causing a slight skid that’s going to have to turn around sooner rather than later if they want these moves to truly pay off.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Is this the year the Maple Leafs finally make it out of the first round?
It’s looking like it as they added big names in Ryan O’Reilly, Jake McCabe and Luke Schenn to an already loaded roster that holds the second seed in the Atlantic Division.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes have won four of their last five and still have the top seed in the gauntlet that is the Metropolitan Division.
They are one of the best defensive teams in the league, but their lack of offensive firepower may hinder their overall ceiling once again.
2. New Jersey Devils
The rich get richer as the already dominant Devils acquired arguably the best player on the trade market in Timo Meier, who should slot in perfectly next to superstar center Jack Hughes.
This team looks and plays like one of the league’s best with the only possible flaw seemingly being experience, but if the talent can take over when it matters, the rest of the league should be scared.
1. Boston Bruins
Was it ever in doubt?
Boston has been lighting the NHL on fire since the start of the season and still looks unstoppable.
As they continue at their historic pace, the 2022-2023 Bruins could be one of the best teams in the history of the sport.
It’s hard to imagine anyone beating them in the playoffs right now.
Jakob Schnur is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jks6463@psu.edu
