The finale
Jordan Staal's Pittsburgh Penguins take on Vincent Lecavalier's Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round. (Getty Images)
Adam Proteau
2011-04-11 15:25:00
The NHL’s regular season is over and, starting Wednesday night, the league’s playoffs begin. That means this is the final NHL power rankings for another season - and for an added bonus, we’re including THN’s exclusive Stanley Cup odds (found in the April 18th playoff edition of the magazine).
Be sure to also check out our Round 1 Preview to get our take on who will get past the first round.
And remember, for constant and in-depth coverage of the post-season, there’s no better place to be than THN.com.
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RK.
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TEAM
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LW
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OVERALL
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THN Cup Odds
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THE SCOOP
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1 |
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1 |
54-19-9 |
3-1 |
Dominant Canucks get shot at exorcising demons of recent playoffs past by facing Hawks |
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2 |
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2 |
48-23-11 |
13-2 |
It’s Alex (Ovechkin) the Great vs. King Henrik (Lundqvist) in rematch of 2009 quarterfinal |
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3 |
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5 |
49-25-8 |
17-1 |
What might have been high-scoring series against Lightning now more likely to be defensive showdown without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin |
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4 |
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3 |
48-25-9 |
19-2 |
Sharks one of league’s hottest teams entering playoffs, need Big Three to come through against plucky Kings |
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5 |
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6 |
47-23-12 |
6-1 |
Prolonged skid should come to halt with return of Chris Pronger in playoffs |
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6 |
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4 |
47-25-10 |
11-2 |
Will Chris Osgood be an option for Wings? Doesn’t look good for first round, at least |
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7 |
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8 |
46-25-11 |
9-1 |
Showdown with Canadiens will be the most-watched series of first round for many reasons |
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8 |
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12 |
47-30-5 |
39-1 |
Ducks arguably the most dangerous of any team entering the playoffs |
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9 |
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10 |
46-25-11 |
18-1 |
Bolts have won just three playoff games since 2004 Cup run |
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10 |
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11 |
44-27-11 |
37-1 |
Predators will need to win games by low scores to outlast hot Ducks in first round |
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11 |
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7 |
43-26-13 |
24-1 |
Coyotes still looking for their first playoff series win in franchise history |
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12 |
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9 |
46-30-6 |
15-1 |
Few giving Kings a chance of beating California rivals in San Jose; that might be the way Los Angeles prefers it |
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13 |
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16 |
43-29-10 |
45-1 |
Sabres have won three of past five first round series against Flyers |
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14 |
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14 |
44-29-9 |
13-1 |
Hawks aren’t inspiring post-season confidence with late-season letdowns, but underestimate them and you’re toast |
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15 |
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17 |
44-30-8 |
29-1 |
Canadiens have chance to avenge Max Pacioretty in best way possible - by eliminating Bruins |
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16 |
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13 |
44-33-5 |
30-1 |
Backing into playoffs, benching Marian Gaborik not good omens for Blueshirts’ playoffs |
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17 |
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19 |
41-29-12 |
N/A |
Flames’ future tangled up in salary cap hell; dealing Jarome Iginla still a possibility |
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18 |
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20 |
42-29-11 |
N/A |
Will ugly end to Stars season be punctuated by departure of Brad Richards? |
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19 |
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15 |
40-31-11 |
N/A |
Last-day loss to Bolts will haunt Canes all off-season |
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20 |
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21 |
38-33-11 |
N/A |
Ownership issues mean Blues will need to improve from within next season |
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21 |
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18 |
37-34-11 |
N/A |
Lots to like for Leafs next season, but no shortage of question marks as well |
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22 |
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26 |
39-35-8 |
N/A |
Firing of coach Todd Richards a move many saw coming a mile away |
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23 |
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23 |
38-39-5 |
N/A |
Maybe Jacques Lemaire can coach by Skype next season? |
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24 |
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22 |
34-36-12 |
N/A |
Finding new owner as much of a priority as bolstering inconsistent on-ice attack |
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25 |
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27 |
32-40-10 |
N/A |
Firing coach Cory Clouston won’t improve Sens’ lack of organizational depth |
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26 |
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24 |
30-39-13 |
N/A |
Islanders need infusion of veterans this summer to help good collection of kids |
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27 |
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25 |
34-35-13 |
N/A |
Rick Nash has to be getting sick of this routine, no? |
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28 |
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28 |
30-40-12 |
N/A |
Whomever replaces Pete DeBoer as Panthers coach should be prepared for tough days ahead |
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29 |
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29 |
30-44-8 |
N/A |
Will Joe Sacco pay the price for disastrous season the way DeBoer, Richards and Clouston have? |
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30 |
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30 |
25-45-12 |
N/A |
Season of growing pains for Oilers must lead to tangible improvements next year |
The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
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