NHL Power Rankings: The final 16

This is the 15th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2021-22 campaign and the first for the playoffs. Check back after Round 1 for updated rankings. In this edition, we rank the 16 teams that advanced to the postseason.

1. Florida Panthers

Previous rank: 1

The Panthers were unstoppable offensively all season and locked up their first Presidents' Trophy in franchise history. They've never been more primed for a deep run but remain without a series win since 1996. After a stress-free regular season, Florida has a lot to prove.

2. Colorado Avalanche

Previous rank: 2

Despite being ranked second, the Avalanche are surely the favorites to win the Cup this year due to their easier path to the finals. Colorado has been rolling all season long despite constantly dealing with injuries throughout the lineup. The Avalanche have one of the best goalies in the league, a star-studded group of forwards, and an absolutely stacked blue line. This might finally be their year.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous rank: 4

The Hurricanes are one of the best five-on-five teams in the league, but they enter the playoffs without Frederik Andersen in goal and face a difficult first-round opponent in the Bruins. The timing of Carolina's adversity is unfortunate, but Rod Brind'Amour's club appears stingy enough to overcome anything thrown its way.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous rank: 3

Can the Maple Leafs conquer their playoff demons and win a series for the first time since 2004? It won't be easy against the two-time defending champs, but this version of the Leafs is better defensively, deeper up front, and elite on special teams. If they lose, they'll be one-and-done for the sixth straight year in the Auston Matthews era. However, if Toronto slays the beast, the group's sky-high confidence could lead to a deep run. No pressure.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous rank: 9

The Lightning are looking to become the first team since the Islanders dynasty of the '80s to win three straight Stanley Cups. Tampa had to rebuild its third line from the last two Cup runs, but the firepower up front, the massive D-core, and Andrei Vasilevskiy all remain intact. Fatigue may eventually become an issue, but it shouldn't be a major factor in Round 1, despite playing a hungry and desperate Leafs squad.

6. Calgary Flames

Previous rank: 6

Are the Flames Canada's best chance at winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993? Yes, we have Toronto ranked higher, but Calgary's road to the Cup is much easier through the Pacific Division. Darryl Sutter's club is as well-rounded as any in the league and built for the postseason grind.

7. New York Rangers

Previous rank: 5

The Rangers are quietly one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs, but everything will hinge on Igor Shesterkin's play. With zero playoff experience, there's no guarantee that the likely Vezina Trophy winner will stay red hot. If he does, the Rangers will be as tough an out as any team thanks to their loaded group on offense. But if Shesterkin's off his game, New York will be lucky to advance past the first round.

8. Minnesota Wild

Previous rank: 8

The Wild were buried behind some Eastern Conference juggernauts in our rankings, but make no mistake, Minnesota is for real. Dean Evason's group is coming off its best regular season in franchise history and is deep at every position. That said, they face a stingy Blues team in Round 1. This series is a coin flip.

9. St. Louis Blues

Previous rank: 11

Again, this series is a coin flip. The Blues are a different team than the one that went all the way in 2019, boasting a deep attack and a new starting goalie. Their battle with the Wild is poised to be one of the most entertaining series of the opening round.

10. Boston Bruins

Previous rank: 7

A 107-point wild-card team? That's not normal. The Bruins got buried in the Eastern Conference standings but have a deep core of forwards, a reinforced blue line, and two capable goaltenders. Seventh seed be damned, Boston is a tough draw.

11. Edmonton Oilers

Previous rank: 10

The Oilers are cruising into the playoffs as one of the league's hottest teams. Since March 1, Mike Smith ranks second in the NHL with 14.65 goals saved above average and first with a .936 save percentage. The Oilers are third in the league with a .695 point percentage since Feb. 1. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are game-changers, and Edmonton could easily be penciled in as a dark horse - as long as everything stays clicking.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous rank: 14

Could this be the Penguins' last dance? Sidney Crosby (34), Evgeni Malkin (35), and Kris Letang (35) are all getting up there in age, and the latter two are pending unrestricted free agents. If this group hopes to make one last run, they'll have to figure out how to solve Shesterkin, who owned them during the regular season with a .960 save percentage in four games.

13. Los Angeles Kings

Previous rank: 16

It's understandable why many are sleeping on the Kings against the red-hot Oilers. But if there's a reason for optimism, it's that we saw how Phillip Danault shut down Matthews in Round 1 last year, and Anze Kopitar has two Selke Trophies to his name. Few teams have a pair of defensively sound centers that can match up against McDavid and Draisaitl.

14. Washington Capitals

Previous rank: 12

The Capitals finished with 100 points on the year despite battling a ton of injuries to key players all season long. Their goaltending is suspect, their depth isn't great, and they'll have to take down the juggernaut Panthers in Round 1, but it's tough to completely count out the Alex Ovechkin-led team. Plenty of the players that won the Cup in 2018 are still around, so perhaps their experience helps propel them toward a big upset.

15. Dallas Stars

Previous rank: 15

Dallas fought until the bitter end of the regular season to qualify for the dance, and as they say, anything can happen once you get in. However, the Stars have the worst goal differential (minus-8) of any Western Conference playoff team and are significant underdogs against Calgary. But anything can happen this time of year, we suppose.

16. Nashville Predators

Previous rank: 13

Even with a healthy Juuse Saros in net, the odds would be stacked against the Predators versus the Avs. If Saros can't go or plays hurt, Smashville isn't going to be the one doing the smashing in this series.

(Analytics sources: Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)