Objectively speaking, I would go:
1. Edmonton. McDrai are going to go off again.
2. Tampa. The East is wide open, and Tampa is super well rested after 3 back to back finals a few years ago. They're hungry for one more cup, and Vasi and Kuch in top form.
3. Las Vegas. Very strong team, who always does well in playoffs....and who no one is talking about, for some reason.
4. Colorado. I don't think they do it, but it's hard to argue they have a great chance with their roster, especially led by Makar and MacKinnon.
5. Toronto. Yes, I think they have a real shot this year, with the East being wide open. Who knows - maybe the choke and fall flat in round 1 again, but I don't think so.
6. Florida. Too many injuries and I just don't see them going to a final 3 years in a row. They fall in round 1 imo.
7. Washington. I think they're a paper champion - but can't ignore their record this season. The Ovechkin hype train could carry them far, potentially.
8. Winnipeg. Same as Washington - paper champion to me. But - you can't ignore their record. And Helle is a tremendous goalie - maybe he finally puts it together in the playoffs
9. Dallas. I don't think they get past Colorado, and injuries don't help.
10. LA. Same - I don't think they get past Edmonton
11. Carolina. They always find a way to lose. It might not be round 1, but it'll definitely be round 2, or round 3 at the very most.
12. St Louis. Very strong end of season, and good roster. I think they probably lose round 1, but they have a shot to do dammage.
13. Wild. I don't really see them going beyond round 1, nor having a real chance, but you have to rank them somewhere.
14. New Jersey. I like their roster, and would have loved to see what they could do with Jack Hughes...without him, there's no way they win the cup.
15. Ottawa. Better team than Montreal in standings, so they go in spot #15. But - I don't believe in them at all. For years this roster has found ways to miss playoffs, rather than step up and qualify in close races. I don't see them as a roster who will win important games. I think they get taken out in round 1, but we'll see.
16. Montreal. I'm a Habs fan - and I think they will beat Capitals in round 1. But objectively - in terms of favorites, they are dead last, and should be. Doesn't mean they can't surprise, but if they win it will be as underdogs. They will be underdogs in every single playoff matchup this playoffs, no matter which of the other 15 teams they face, and thus they rank last on this list.
Have you been following the Stars? Go to the Stars board and read their GDT against the Preds. It was not a pretty picture. Otter with a .773 SV%, JRob injured (why was DeBoer playing him in a meaningless game?) and Miro likely out for a good part of Rd 1 and then there’s the rest of that Stars D. BTW, riding a 7 game losing streak isn’t how you want to be going into the POs. That’s big time butt ugly but hey, they supposedly have the deepest F corp.
