Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings: Caps Lead Way

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Apr 9, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) looks on in the game against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight with 16 teams having the chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. But the question is, do all 16 teams have realistic chance of winning the Cup? The answer is no.

Here are our power rankings for the 16 playoffs teams.

Apr 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates past New York Rangers goalie Antti Raanta (32) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings have made the playoffs for the last 25 seasons, but this might be their weakest team to date. This is going to be the last hurrah for the Red Wings with Pavel Datsyuk, as he is going back to Russia next season. The Red Wings are putting Henrik Zetterberg and Datsyuk on the same line for the playoffs in an attempt to jumpstart the offense. The Wings also are hoping goaltender Jimmy Howard can rediscover his past playoff glory. Howard has been good down the stretch, but can he carry the Wings?

Apr 9, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning were originally the NHL favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season. They had taken the Chicago Blackhawks to six games in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. This year was the year for the Lightning. After a slow start, the Lightning finally got their offense going along with great goaltending from Ben Bishop. Then the injuries happened. Anton Stralman broke his fibula against the New York Islanders on March 25. Stralman was a top-pairing defenseman with Victor Hedman. Steven Stamkos was then ruled out with a blood clot. Stamkos had 36 goals this season, leads the Lightning in goals and was second in points to Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning will depend more heavily on Bishop than they’ve had to prior.

Apr 7, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) celebrates with defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) after scoring on an empty-net goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. The Islanders won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

14. New York Islanders

In the playoffs, goalies can make even an average teams look great. Unfortunately for the Islanders, Jaroslav Halak is injured. Thomas Greiss has been a career backup before this season and now will be the starter with Jean-Francois Berube as backup. The Islanders might get Travis Hamonic from injury, and they still have John Tavares and his 33 goals. If Hamonic stays out, expect Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk to play more heavy-pressure minutes. Ultimately, the Islanders’ goaltending issues will rear their ugly head in the playoffs.

Apr 7, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after a 3-2 overtime win against the Arizona Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Nashville Predators

The Predators acquired Ryan Johansen before the trade deadline in a savvy move. The move gave the Preds a top-line center and added to their strong team defense. The reason for their struggles to start the year was the play of Pekka Rinne. Rinne had been an All-Star goalie coming into this season. Rinne had flashes of his old self toward the end of the season but is still not up to All-Star caliber. Rinne is once again going to hold the Predators’ playoff fate on his pads.

Apr 9, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zac Dalpe (27) celebrates his first goal as a member of the Minnesota Wild in the second period against the Calgary Flames at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Minnesota Wild

The Wild are lead by goaltender Devan Dubnyk. Dubnyk has been solid all season for the Wild. Dubnyk is backed by a defense that is allowing just 28.6 shots on goal. The biggest pitfall for the Wild is injuries. Zach Parise, Erik Haula and Thomas Vanek are battling injuries. They accounted for 57 of the Wild’s 213 goals. The Wild hope to continue their streak of getting out of the first round. They have a tough first-round draw in the Dallas Stars.

Apr 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino (13) celebrates with defenseman Derrick Pouliot (51) and left wing Carl Hagelin (62) after scoring a goal past Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (not pictured) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are injured, plain and simple. The Penguins just returned goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from a concussion, and defenseman Olli Maatta could be ready to play in the playoffs. The status of Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray and Bryan Rust is in question for their first-round series against the Rangers. The only healthy players might be Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby. Will they be enough? My vote is no.

Apr 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle (22) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

10. New York Rangers

The Rangers are mediocre team with Henrik Lundqvist this season. Can you imagine what they are without him? The Rangers also are going to be without top pairing defenseman Ryan McDonagh for some games in the playoffs. The Rangers still do not have the appropriate depth on offense and defense to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup, but they still have Lundqvist.

Apr 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jakub Voracek (93) celebrates with goalie Steve Mason (35) after a victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers got rolling once rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere got rolling. The Flyers, with a never say die attitude, fought hard to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Flyers were led by Gostisbehere and goalie Steve Mason. While the Flyers made an improbable run to playoffs, their time may be cut short by drawing the Washington Capitals in the first round. Mason will have to stand on his head for the Flyers to even make it out of the first round.

Apr 9, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; The Florida Panthers celebrate their 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Florida Panthers

The Panthers are a unique combination of youth and veteran experience. They have young stars in Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov, and veterans in Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo. Jagr has been to the top of the mountain before and knows what it takes to win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Luongo is completely capable of standing on his head for 16 wins. They are team to watch.

Next: The Top 7

Apr 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Paul Martin (7) and right wing Melker Karlsson (68) and defenseman Brent Burns (88) celebrate after center Patrick Marleau (12) scores a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Winnipeg won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

7. San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have a surprise MVP candidate in Joe Thornton. Thornton has put together an impressive season for a player his age. The Sharks are led by a veteran group in Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau. The biggest question mark for the Sharks will be Martin Jones. Jones was third in the league with 37 wins, a .918 save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average. Jones will be starting for the first time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While Martin was solid all regular season, the playoffs are a different kind of animal.

Apr 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Ales Hemsky (83), goalie Kari Lehtonen (32), and left wing Jamie Benn (14) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Dallas Stars

The Stars were impressive during the regular season, as they lead the league in goals scored. However, they have the worst defensive record of any playoff qualifier. The Stars’ offense will be getting back Tyler Seguin for the playoffs, but he did partially tear his Achilles and should not be the same player. Their goaltending situation does not inspire much confidence as Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen have a combined .906 save percentage. The Stars have enough to beat the Wild in the first round, but that might be about it.

Apr 9, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks get the benefit of the doubt from many people because of their recent playoff success. This team is different than previous incarnations. Their defense is very suspect, and they do not possess the puck as much as in years past. The 2015-16 Blackhawks had the team’s lowest Corsi-for rating in the Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews era. The Blackhawks’ offense is dependent on Kane producing points. When he does not score, neither do the Blackhawks.

Apr 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates scoring the game winning goal during the overtime period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. St. Louis won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

4. St. Louis Blues

The Blues will have to excise some playoff demons this season, otherwise it could spell the end of coach Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis. The Blues have been a high seed the last three years in a row and have lost in the first round of playoffs. The Blues need great goaltending from Brian Elliott to get to the ultimate place.

Apr 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) celebrates with teammates after the Ducks /

3. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have overcome a horrific start to their season to battle back in the Western Conference. The Ducks won their fourth consecutive Pacific Division title. They are led by a strong young goalie duo of John Gibson and Frederik Andersen. This duo won the Jennings Trophy this season behind their strong young defense. The Ducks’ offense will have to be led by Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Could this be the year?

Apr 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates with the bench after his first period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are trying to set up their own “dynasty” by winning their third Cup in five years. The Kings lead the NHL in shot attempts in 5-on-5 situations at 56 percent. That means they possess the puck the most in the NHL at even strength. The Kings are led by Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick.

Apr 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) stands with (from left to right) Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik, and Capitals center Michael Latta (46) during a ceremony honoring Williams /

1. Washington Capitals

The Capitals were the best regular-season team wire to wire. The Capitals have a core led by Niklas Backstrom, Niklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Caps lead the NHL with 120 points and were the Presidents’ Trophy winners. Ovechkin had another 50-goal season, making him the third player all time to score 50 goals or more in seven seasons. Holtby tied Martin Brodeur‘s single-season wins record in net. The Capitals should just hope they fare better than the last time they won the Presidents’ Trophy.

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