NHL Team Rankings: Playoff Legends

Sports news » NHL Team Rankings: Playoff Legends

11 months ago 270

Inspired by the excitement of March Madness basketball tournaments, we`re highlighting the postseason stars for every NHL team. Using official NHL records, we`ve identified the leading playoff scorers for all 32 teams.

Ranking Methodology: Our NHL expert panel of commentators, analysts, reporters, and editors provided rankings from 1 to 32 based on games played up to Wednesday, which determined our comprehensive list.

Note: Rankings are based on games through Wednesday and points percentages are through Thursday`s games.

1. Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: 2
Points Percentage: 71.21%

Alex Ovechkin. Unsurprisingly, Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals. As he pursues another significant record this regular season, Ovechkin aims for a deep playoff run to enhance his franchise-leading 141 points in 151 playoff games.

Next seven days: @ SJ (March 15), vs. DET (March 18), vs. PHI (March 20)

2. Winnipeg Jets

Previous Ranking: 1
Points Percentage: 71.21%

Blake Wheeler. It`s worth noting that franchise records include the Atlanta Thrashers history. While Keith Tkachuk and Pascal Dupuis each had 3 points in their single 2007 playoff appearance, Blake Wheeler currently holds the franchise record with 39 points in 44 games. However, Mark Scheifele (38 in 42) and Kyle Connor (32 in 45) are close behind.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 14), @ SEA (March 16), @ VAN (March 18), @ EDM (March 20)

3. Dallas Stars

Previous Ranking: 3
Points Percentage: 67.19%

Mike Modano. Having played for the franchise in both locations, Mike Modano`s 145 points in 174 playoff games significantly outpaces Brian Bellows` 83 points in 81 games. Among current Stars, Jamie Benn is the leader with 77 points in 102 games.

Next seven days: @ WPG (March 14), @ COL (March 16), vs. ANA (March 18), vs. TB (March 20)

4. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous Ranking: 5
Points Percentage: 65.38%

Jonathan Marchessault. Jonathan Marchessault, tied with William Karlsson in playoff games played (95), leads his former teammate with 75 points to 65. Reilly Smith (66) and Karlsson could close the gap this postseason.

Next seven days: @ BUF (March 15), @ DET (March 16), vs. BOS (March 20)

5. Florida Panthers

Previous Ranking: 4
Points Percentage: 64.39%

Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers` top playoff scorers are mostly current players. Aleksander Barkov, instrumental in the team`s transformation, leads with 59 points in 71 playoff games, with more expected this spring.

Next seven days: @ MTL (March 15), @ NYI (March 16), @ CBJ (March 20)

6. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 8
Points Percentage: 63.08%

Sebastian Aho. Despite a history of talented players for the Whalers/Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho stands out as the clear postseason scoring leader with 70 points in 74 games.

Next seven days: vs. DET (March 14), @ PHI (March 15), @ SJ (March 20)

7. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous Ranking: 6
Points Percentage: 62.31%

Doug Gilmour. While Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, or William Nylander could challenge in the future, Doug Gilmour currently leads with 77 points in 52 postseason games.

Next seven days: vs. OTT (March 15), vs. CGY (March 17), vs. COL (March 19), @ NYR (March 20)

8. Colorado Avalanche

Previous Ranking: 11
Points Percentage: 61.36%

Joe Sakic. Nathan MacKinnon, with 114 points in 88 playoff games, may eventually surpass Joe Sakic (188 in 172), but for now, Sakic leads, followed by Peter Forsberg (159 in 140).

Next seven days: @ CGY (March 14), vs. DAL (March 16), @ TOR (March 19), @ OTT (March 20)

9. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous Ranking: 7
Points Percentage: 61.72%

Nikita Kucherov. Nikita Kucherov, known for his regular-season dominance, unsurprisingly leads the Lightning`s playoff scoring with 167 points in 147 games, ahead of Victor Hedman (117 in 165).

Next seven days: @ BOS (March 15), vs. PHI (March 17), @ DAL (March 20)

10. Edmonton Oilers

Previous Ranking: 9
Points Percentage: 60.94%

Wayne Gretzky. Among his numerous records, Wayne Gretzky leads the Oilers` playoff scoring chart with an astounding 252 points in 120 games. Connor McDavid is the current Oilers leader with 117 points in 74 games.

Next seven days: @ NYI (March 14), @ NYR (March 16), vs. UTA (March 18), vs. WPG (March 20)

11. Los Angeles Kings

Previous Ranking: 12
Points Percentage: 61.72%

Wayne Gretzky. Wayne Gretzky holds this record for two franchises. His 94 points in 60 playoff games lead the Kings, but Anze Kopitar, with 80 points in 97 games, could surpass him soon.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (March 15), @ MIN (March 17), @ CHI (March 20)

12. Minnesota Wild

Previous Ranking: 10
Points Percentage: 59.85%

Zach Parise. Zach Parise, strongly associated with the modern Minnesota franchise, leads playoff scoring with 37 points in 44 games. Jared Spurgeon is close behind with 29 points in 67 games.

Next seven days: vs. STL (March 15), vs. LA (March 17), vs. SEA (March 19)

13. New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 13
Points Percentage: 58.21%

Patrik Elias. Patrik Elias, despite not yet being in the Hall of Fame, is a Devils legend, leading postseason scoring with 125 points in 162 games.

Next seven days: @ PIT (March 15), @ CBJ (March 17), vs. CGY (March 20)

14. Ottawa Senators

Previous Ranking: 17
Points Percentage: 57.69%

Daniel Alfredsson. Daniel Alfredsson, a key player in past Senators playoff runs with 100 points in 121 games, is now an assistant coach hoping for a return to the playoffs.

Next seven days: @ TOR (March 15), @ MTL (March 18), vs. COL (March 20)

15. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 14
Points Percentage: 53.85%

Cam Atkinson. The Blue Jackets, with a shorter playoff history, are led by Cam Atkinson with 26 points in 35 games. Boone Jenner is the current leader with 15 points in 37 games.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 15), vs. NJ (March 17), vs. FLA (March 20)

16. Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: 15
Points Percentage: 55.47%

Al MacInnis. Known for his powerful slapshot, Al MacInnis scored 102 points in 95 playoff games for Calgary, including 18 power-play goals.

Next seven days: vs. COL (March 14), @ TOR (March 17), @ NYR (March 18), @ NJ (March 20)

17. Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 20
Points Percentage: 53.08%

Jean Beliveau. Among numerous Hall of Famers, Jean Beliveau leads the Canadiens with 176 points in 162 playoff games, ahead of Jacques Lemaire (139 in 145).

Next seven days: vs. FLA (March 15), vs. OTT (March 18), @ NYI (March 20)

18. Vancouver Canucks

Previous Ranking: 19
Points Percentage: 54.62%

Trevor Linden. Trevor Linden leads the Canucks with 95 points in 118 playoff games. The Sedin twins might have surpassed him with more deep playoff runs.

Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 15), vs. UTA (March 16), vs. WPG (March 18), @ STL (March 20)

19. St. Louis Blues

Previous Ranking: 21
Points Percentage: 52.27%

Brett Hull. Brett Hull, despite winning Stanley Cups with rivals, remains the Blues` playoff scoring leader with 117 points in 102 games.

Next seven days: @ MIN (March 15), vs. ANA (March 16), @ NSH (March 18), vs. VAN (March 20)

20. Utah Hockey Club

Previous Ranking: 22
Points Percentage: 53.08%

N/A. As a new franchise, the Utah Hockey Club`s records start fresh. For the Arizona Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets 1.0, Dale Hawerchuk leads with 49 points in 38 playoff games.

Next seven days: @ SEA (March 14), @ VAN (March 16), @ EDM (March 18), vs. BUF (March 20)

21. New York Rangers

Previous Ranking: 16
Points Percentage: 53.03%

Brian Leetch. Brian Leetch, a top offensive defenseman, scored 89 points in 82 playoff games. Chris Kreider, with 76 points in 123 games, is catching up.

Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 15), vs. EDM (March 16), vs. CGY (March 18), vs. TOR (March 20)

22. Boston Bruins

Previous Ranking: 24
Points Percentage: 50.75%

Ray Bourque. Ray Bourque, a Bruins legend, scored 161 points in 180 playoff games for Boston before winning a Cup with Colorado.

Next seven days: vs. TB (March 15), vs. BUF (March 17), @ VGK (March 20)

23. Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: 18
Points Percentage: 52.31%

Steve Yzerman. Steve Yzerman edges out Nicklas Lidstrom in playoff points (185 to 183), although Lidstrom played more games (263 to 196).

Next seven days: @ CAR (March 14), vs. VGK (March 16), @ WSH (March 18)

24. New York Islanders

Previous Ranking: 23
Points Percentage: 50.78%

Bryan Trottier. Bryan Trottier, an Islanders legend, leads with 168 points in 175 playoff games, narrowly ahead of Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (March 14), vs. FLA (March 16), @ PIT (March 18), vs. MTL (March 20)

25. Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 26
Points Percentage: 48.46%

Ryan Getzlaf. Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks` all-time leading scorer, also leads in playoff points with 120 in 125 games.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (March 14), @ STL (March 16), @ DAL (March 18), @ NSH (March 20)

26. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: 25
Points Percentage: 47.76%

Bobby Clarke. Bobby Clarke, iconic for his Stanley Cup win, leads the Flyers in playoff scoring with 119 points in 136 games.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (March 15), @ TB (March 17), @ WSH (March 20)

27. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous Ranking: 27
Points Percentage: 47.06%

Sidney Crosby. While Mario Lemieux has a higher points-per-game rate, Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in total playoff points with 201 in 180 games.

Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 15), vs. NYI (March 18)

28. Nashville Predators

Previous Ranking: 30
Points Percentage: 44.53%

Filip Forsberg. Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in playoff scoring with 59 points in 81 games and will likely extend his record next postseason.

Next seven days: @ ANA (March 14), @ LA (March 15), vs. STL (March 18), vs. ANA (March 20)

29. Seattle Kraken

Previous Ranking: 28
Points Percentage: 45.46%

Yanni Gourde. Yanni Gourde leads the Kraken in playoff scoring with 13 points in 14 games. Jordan Eberle is the current leader on the team with 11 points.

Next seven days: vs. UTA (March 14), vs. WPG (March 16), @ CHI (March 18), @ MIN (March 19)