Final 2015-16 NHL Power Rankings: Capitals regain supremacy over Penguins

Updated: April 11,2016, 12:55PM,EDT

By Scott Burnside (posted April 11,2016)

ESPN Illustration

And there you have it. The 2015-16 regular season is in the books. As it began, so shall it end, then, with our final Power Rankings. The postseason is what you play for, so you'll see that the 16 playoff teams occupy the first 16 places here. If you played well down the stretch but still ended up as a draft lottery team, then you are somewhere south of 16. That's just how it goes. As for those 14 teams that didn't make the cut? We put them in a rough order according to which teams we think are most capable of correcting the errors of their ways.

2015-2016 Power Rankings: Week 27
RANK	TEAM / RECORD	TRENDING	COMMENTS
1	Washington 56-18-8	3 Last Week: 4	The Caps head into the postseason on the heels of a big win over St. Louis that saw Alexander Ovechkin notch his 50th goal of the season and Braden Holtby tie Martin Brodeur's single-season record for wins, at 48. The Presidents' Trophy winners are the gold standard and will being their Stanley Cup pursuit against the Philadelphia Flyers, a team they should handle with relative ease.
2	Dallas 50-23-9	1 Last Week: 3	The Stars edged St. Louis for first place in the Central Division and, in theory, will have a much easier time in the first round against slumbering Minnesota. Jason Spezza is on fire, and Dallas might not even need Tyler Seguin, who's injured, until the second round. Which goalie starts for the Stars? And more to the point -- which goalie finishes? That's a bigger question.
3	Pittsburgh 48-26-8	2 Last Week: 1	The Pens didn't know their first-round opponent until Sunday, and they'll face the Rangers for the third straight year. But they enter as the NHL's hottest team, having won 14 of 16. Matt Murray, so good in goal in relief of the concussed Marc-Andre Fleury, was injured in the first period of Saturday's loss to Philadelphia. Evgeni Malkin and Olli Maatta have also been missing from the lineup.
4	Anaheim 46-25-11	-- Last Week: 4	The Ducks and Kings battled tooth and nail for the Pacific Division crown before Anaheim earned its fourth consecutive title Sunday night. The Ducks will have their hands full with Nashville, but they are a good team with unfinished playoff business.
5	Los Angeles 48-28-6	3 Last Week: 8	How delicious is this rematch of the epic 2014 Kings-Sharks first-round series?
6	Florida 47-26-9	-- Last Week: 6	Lots of discussion about whether the Panthers, who drew the Islanders, would be a preferred opponent to New York than Pittsburgh would've been. Folks still don't quite get how good this team is. Can it handle the expectations, so rare for a team from South Florida? That's the big question, because the pieces are certainly there.
7	St. Louis 49-24-9	5 Last Week: 2	The Blues might start the playoffs without David Backes and Jake Allen. That's not good, considering that they're facing the defending Stanley Cup champions and need all hands on deck to exorcise their considerable playoff demons. Still, if the Blackhawks are vulnerable, it might be best to face them earlier rather than later in the playoff proceedings.
8	Chicago 47-26-9	3 Last Week: 5	Speaking of the Blackhawks, Marian Hossa has been banged up, and we know they'll be without the suspended Duncan Keith for the playoff opener. Still, the Blackhawks are who they are -- and that means trouble for the Blues.
10	Nashville 41-27-14	-- Last Week: 10	The Preds are healthy and hoping to rekindle some of their mojo from a red-hot post-All-Star run that carried them to the postseason for the second season in a row. It's not a bad thing, necessarily, to start on the road in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Nashville is deeper down the middle than it's ever been come playoff time.
11	Tampa Bay 46-31-5	2 Last Week: 9	The Lightning are beyond banged up; the latest injury was Tyler Johnson going down after an ugly hit in Game 82. He joins key pieces Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman on the sideline to start the postseason. Ben Bishop has been Vezina-worthy, and he'll have to continue that play to get the Bolts out of the first round and past Detroit.
12	New York 46-27-9	3 Last Week: 15	You can never count out a team with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. But there is still something just a bit off about the Rangers, who likely will start the postseason without captain Ryan McDonagh (injured hand). Can Eric Staal contribute meaningfully in his first playoff action since 2009? Can Rick Nash? Can New York's defense get out of its own way? Too many questions, not enough answers.
13	New York 45-27-10	3 Last Week: 16	The Islanders will be without Anders Lee and starting netminder Jaroslav Halak. They're still big and deep up front, but defensive and goaltending issues suggest that they could be one and done.
14	Detroit 41-30-11	2 Last Week: 12	So this appears to be Pavel Datsyuk's swan song as an NHLer. The Wings backed into the playoffs, but with the Bolts so crippled by injury, they have a shot at advancing if they get decent goaltending from Jimmy Howard or Petr Mrazek.
15	Philadelphia 41-27-14	4 Last Week: 11	No disrespect to the Flyers -- who gamely charged to an unexpected playoff spot in what was expected to be a season of rebuilding -- but they do not match up particularly well against the powerful Capitals. Still, kudos to first-year coach Dave Hakstol for getting his team this far.
16	Minnesota 38-33-11	2 Last Week: 14	Not to belabor the point, but the Wild wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the playoffs if the Colorado Avalanche hadn't been so incompetent down the stretch. Minnesota qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year by losing five straight. The Wild should be cannon fodder for the high-flying Stars.
17	Boston 42-31-9	1 Last Week: 18	Yep, the Bruins collapsed in spectacular fashion down the stretch -- concluding with Saturday's 6-1 debacle at home versus lame-duck Ottawa. It likely will cost Claude Julien his job, but the Bruins were as close to a playoff berth as any other team that didn't make it. That's something. Isn't it?
18	Montreal 38-38-6	4 Last Week: 22	This disastrous season can't just be about Carey Price being hurt, can it? That's the storyline in Montreal. We'll see if Michel Therrien gets a chance to prove or disprove that narrative next season.
19	New Jersey 38-36-8	5 Last Week: 24	The Devils are closer to returning to the playoffs than most people think. At least that's our view.
20	Buffalo 35-36-11	3 Last Week: 17	We loved the way the Sabres closed out the season. So much to like about this squad if -- and it's a big if -- the goaltending gets squared away.
21	Calgary 35-40-7	-- Last Week: 21	The Flames took a step back this season, which was more or less expected. But assuming that GM Brad Treliving gets his goaltending situation under control, Calgary should be back in the hunt next season.
22	Winnipeg 35-39-8	5 Last Week: 27	The Jets finished the season on a high note, which was in direct opposition to their performance during most of the rest of the campaign. Goaltending remains a question mark, but we see lots of reasons the Jets should be in the hunt next season.
23	Arizona 35-39-8	4 Last Week: 19	The Coyotes finished well, too, and there is a solid nucleus growing in the desert. Getting a new home squared away, likely in Tempe, will go a long way toward attracting the needed complementary pieces.
24	Ottawa 38-35-9	1 Last Week: 25	GM Bryan Murray is giving way to Pierre Dorion. But the changes won't and shouldn't stop there for this underachieving but talented group.
25	Colorado 39-39-4	5 Last Week: 20	So, two consecutive playoff misses after winning the Central Division. Is that a players-not-performing issue or a management/coaching-not-performing one? If it's the latter, the Avs are in trouble, because it's hard to imagine Patrick Roy and/or Joe Sakic going anywhere.
26	Carolina 35-31-16	3 Last Week: 23	GM Ron Francis still has a lot of work in front of him as he tries get this team back to the playoffs. The Canes missed the postseason for the seventh consecutive year -- prompting even more relocation talk.
27	Edmonton 31-43-8	3 Last Week: 30	Gee, Connor McDavid is good. Gee, the Oilers still stink. Go figure. The Oilers have an interesting offseason ahead as they look to move at least one -- if not a couple -- of their key young building blocks from their forward corps.
28	Columbus 34-40-8	-- Last Week: 28	Two years in a row we've liked the Blue Jackets to be a playoff team, and two years in a row they've wildly underachieved. What will become of Sergei Bobrovsky? Can they pick up the pieces from this broken season and reverse course next year? Color us skeptical.
29	Toronto 29-42-11	3 Last Week: 26	We've never seen a team this bad get so much good media coverage. Yahoo! We lost another game, but we are on the right track. Go figure.
30	Vancouver 31-38-13	1 Last Week: 29	A team caught betwixt and between, but mostly just awful. The Canucks deserve some good draft luck to offset this forgettable campaign.
Biggest Jump: 5 Biggest Drop: 5

Christopher Ranney · Alfred State If you're placing San Jose at #9 you could at the very least put their number and team name. More reason to call this thing a complete joke sometimes... Like · Reply · 60 · 23 hrs Don Evans · Senior Lab Technician at Desilva Gates Construction Bawawawa Like · Reply · 22 hrs Mark Johnson · Southern Illinois University Carbondale Shows just how much ESPN really cares about hockey. Like · Reply · 6 · 22 hrs Frank Rizzo · Works at Indiana Bones Temple of Groom Thank you. I was looking for them & thought I was loosing my mind Like · Reply · 9 · 21 hrs Chet Cohen · Los Angeles, California how embarrasing. Like · Reply · 20 hrs Christine Moellenberndt · San Jose State University Even more embarrassing, this error has been pointed out to them for the last four or five hours and they STILL haven't fixed it. Bravo, ESPN. Way to go. Shows why you're such a go-to for hockey news. Like · Reply · 7 · 19 hrs Kim Ouye Probably represents their playoff expectations... Like · Reply · 18 hrs Christopher Ranney · Alfred State Kim Ouye Yeah the Sharks will probably flop early (if they follow their trends) but being a fan and knowing what this team can do I think they have a great shot at taking out the Kings. Anaheim or the Preds in round two will be more difficult, but they can take round one. Like · Reply · 18 hrs Kim Ouye Christopher Ranney - I'm not gettiing my hopes up until they take the series from LA, they fooled me the last time... Like · Reply · 17 hrs Freddie DC · Dallas, Texas LMAO!!!! Like · Reply · 17 hrs Scott Davis They've gone stealth! Like · Reply · 14 hrs Aaron Beck · San Jose, California You know, or 12 hours later. Like · Reply · 13 hrs · Edited Blake Charles Frank Rizzo learn to spell. Like · Reply · 8 hrs Dmitri Prozorov · President/CEO at Adenine Solutions Inc. Ahahaha this is a new low, forgetting a playoff team. Good thing I come here every monday for the Comedy... Like · Reply · 10 · 23 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese I can't disagree with the rankings but I do disagree with some of the comments. First I think the Isles are better off playing the Panthers. No disrespect to Florida but the Pens do have a better record and are hotter right now. Second, now if they get by Fla they won't play the Caps (who are the best team in the league) until the Conf. finals. Also I disagree that Phi doesn't match up well against Was. They did beat the Caps twice this year (even if it was in OT and a SO). I think Was will win but it will be a tough physical series. I think it could go 6 or even 7 games. Like · Reply · 6 · 23 hrs Mark Johnson · Southern Illinois University Carbondale 5 games at most. Like · Reply · 21 hrs Michael Weiss · Boca Raton, Florida Florida owned the Caps this year. Be careful with Florida... Like · Reply · 2 · 21 hrs Michael Weiss · Boca Raton, Florida Every single "expert" picked Florida. Not even one likes the isles while two have the Rangers taking the pens Like · Reply · 21 hrs Eugene Berkovich · Florida Atlantic University Barkov owned Tavares this season. Additionally, it seems that the Panthers are finally recovering from most of our injuries (Trochek is still out and it is unclear of he can be useful in the first series) Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Michael Weiss · Boca Raton, Florida Eugene Berkovich what's up Eugene. No respect. Islanders fanked to play us. I think our guys have a surprise for the league. See you on the boards during the playoffs!! Barkov>Tevares but noons has seen it. These playoffs will be a coming out party for himself and Hubie Like · Reply · 21 hrs Michael Weiss · Boca Raton, Florida Eugene Berkovich btw- why can't I see the rankings? Like · Reply · 21 hrs Charles Weadon Michael Weiss lmao Like · Reply · 19 hrs Julio E. Chen · Escuela naval de venezuela Michael Weiss vas duro Like · Reply · 9 hrs Kenny Perry · College of Staten Island Michael Weiss Let's be clear, Barkov is not > than Tavares. That is crazy home town bias. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Rich Laino · Cost Assistant at Lpe Enterprises If you want to win, you have to beat the best. Bottom line. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Jimmy Pasikov Caps in 5 over the Cryers.....they just don' t have the horses to beat Washington.....and I think you will see a different Caps team in the playoffs than you did in the Regular season....Defense tightens up a lot in the playoffs.... Like · Reply · 2 hrs Chris Rohan So Hitch has already said all men will be available at the start of the playoffs, but you use that as an excuse to drop the Blues 5 spots? Are you kidding me? What did they do last week to deserve to drop 5 spots? Like · Reply · 5 · Apr 11, 2016 1:11pm Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese I would feel a little disrespected if I was a Blues fan. I would rank them a couple of spots higher. That being said they got a real tough draw. Not being a fan of either team, I would pick the Blackhawks to move on to the second round. Like · Reply · 3 · 23 hrs Jeff Berggren · Bartlett, Illinois Hawks in 6 Like · Reply · 2 · 22 hrs Jeff Kunz · Elect Tech at PG&E Sharks get so little coverage as it is. Now they don't even make the list. I'm sure all that's important is that the east coast teams are accounted for. Like · Reply · 6 · 23 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC We Capitals fans have suffered our share of playoff disappointments, but this is a much different, much better Caps team than we've seen in the past. Unlike previous iterations, this team is playing lights out on both ends of the ice - top-2 in both goals AND goals against (best in the East in both). They have the best in the league at scoring goals and the best in the league at stopping goals (certainly one of the best). They're top-5 in both PP and PK, and have arguably the best 3rd and 4th lines in the NHL. Anything can happen in post-season, and it usually does, but with their talent, depth, and balance, you got to like the Capitals' chances. Hoping to see Ovechkin hoist the Cup this year! He deserves it! GO CAPS!!! Like · Reply · 3 · 21 hrs · Edited Michael Weiss · Boca Raton, Florida You better avoid Florida for some reason they own the caps Like · Reply · 21 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC Michael Weiss - They may be the only team the Caps haven't beaten at least once this year. Good team. Like · Reply · 21 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese I am a Pens fan who has been defending the Caps when it comes to the regular season. They are clearly been the best team this year. Saying that I think the fact the Caps have been so dominating this season might hurt them in the playoffs. They have been on cruise control these last couple of weeks. Can they turn it up a notche. I hope to see the Pens vs Caps in the 2nd round, Like · Reply · 21 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC Rob Neal - I'd frankly rather avoid meeting the Penguins, but if we gotta, we gotta. I think we'll win in any case! Good luck! Like · Reply · 20 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese Phil Adams The last time we met in the 2nd round it was a 7 game series. In fact there have been a lot of great meetings between the two franchises in the playoffs, The Pens have always seemed to fine a way to win. If we do meet again, I think it would be a great series. First we need to beat a Ranger team that has had our number the last couple of years. Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs Ona D. Lamb · Dartmouth College Matchups? We're talking about matchups? Who cares, let's just get to an actual round three. Ain't no chumps in round three! Like · Reply · 20 hrs Paul Sterling · Florida High School Diploma Phil Adams we did beat them once. Their announcers are the worst in sports. They're nasty biased. Not just biased but nasty. Hope they go out early. Like · Reply · 20 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC Ona D. Lamb - Ovechkin and Crosby - the two best in the NHL. If it gets to that, it will be a great series. Sports legend stuff, like Brady & Manning, Magic & Bird, etc. I'm just not sure I want a great series as much as I want the Stanley Cup in DC! Like · Reply · 19 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC Rob Neal - If you saw the Caps' next-to-last game in St. Louis, you saw them turn it up at least a notch. If they play like that this post season, they will do just fine. Like · Reply · 19 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese Paul Sterling I would vote that the Isles announcers are the worst. Especially Chris King. I have xm radio and I hate when I am going to work and the Pens are at the Isles. All radio team announcers are going to be a little bias, but I would bet if you asked Mr. King about the Isles, he would say that if wasn't for the refs they would be 82-0. Like · Reply · 6 hrs Noah Yates Michael Weiss Not saying Caps would have won those games but Holtby never played against Florida, not sure why if not by pure coincidence with nights off for Holtby Like · Reply · 4 hrs Dixie Normis Phil Adams Wouldn't that be great? A Pens-Caps second round series would be NBC's wet dream. Like · Reply · 1 · 4 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC Rob Neal - The Caps announcers are okay - Craig (Locker) Laughlin and Joe Beninatti. They're a little quirky, and definitely homers, but mostly gracious toward opposing teams, especially to former Capitals like Troy Brower, Joel Ward, Bruce Boudreau, etc. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Silvio Di Fede · Liceo Scientifico Elio Vittorini No way: the Stars will need Seguin in the first round. Don't understimate Minnesota. It won't be positive for my Stars if they do that wink emoticon Said that, it's incredible see the #3 team and the #5 team of the regular season playing each other in the first round. It will be an amazing series, but also a bit unfair for both... You can't have 107 points, a great regular season, and for gift a first round.... against a 103 points team which last June was raising the Cup.... Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Freddie DC · Dallas, Texas Better them than the Stars smile emoticon Like · Reply · 1 · 17 hrs Silvio Di Fede · Liceo Scientifico Elio Vittorini Freddie DC I know. That's why was huge to go and win that division. Like · Reply · 16 hrs · Edited Christopher Maldonado · Carrollton at Stay-at-home parent Freddie DC, DC..shouldn't you be watching basketball.. not trying to stereotype.. but comments on hocky, and living in Dallas.. Like · Reply · 15 hrs Silvio Di Fede · Liceo Scientifico Elio Vittorini Christopher Maldonado: Christopher, you say the same stereotype that people tell to me (I'm Sicilian, and I watch hockey or baseball, like few Sicilians). Like · Reply · 14 hrs Silvio Di Fede · Liceo Scientifico Elio Vittorini [Said that, I love basketball too: and go Mavs tongue emoticon Like · Reply · 14 hrs Kurt Honeywell · Voorhees Township, New Jersey I'm definitely a homer Flyers fan but to say the Flyers and Caps dont match up well is a little ridiculous. The season series was 2-2 with 3 of 4 games being 1 goal games. You're also looking at a Flyers team that went 16-9 down the stretch over the last 25 games compared to the Caps 13-12. I'm not saying the Flyers are running away with anything but to downplay a match up like this is pretty stupid. Typical ESPN hockey coverage. Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Jimmy Pasikov Flyers are a solid team - but let's be honest...those two wins by Philly - the Caps could have easily have won....I think you will be hard pressed to take 2 games from the Caps...but good things for Philly to build on for next year.... Like · Reply · 2 hrs Kurt Honeywell · Voorhees Township, New Jersey Jimmy Pasikov - I appreciate the respectful reply but I'm not sure I follow your logic. Because those were close games, the Caps could have easily won them? Ok well then the Flyers could have easily won the other one goal game and could have ended the season series 3-1 against the Caps. All I said is that the Flyers match up against the Caps better than espn is giving them credit for. Thats why the games are played on the ice and not on paper. We'll see! Like · Reply · 1 hr Carlton Blood · Production Manager at Innovative Machine & Supply This is a power ranking. Not a playoff predictor or what have you done in the past. How this doesn't reflect the actual league standings after the 82 games is just beyond ignorant. Plus, his comments seem to be way off of what is actually going on with each individual team. Blues did announce that they will be 100% healthy as of yesterday. Just dumb. Like · Reply · 20 hrs Steve Berglund · Chief Executive Officer at Strategic Health Partners This is putting a lot of stock in the last 5 games of the season for the Wild. you realize that the Wild won 6 straight before losing those 5 correct? Plus the games between the teams were 1 win for each team in regulation and 3 games to OT. That would suggest these teams are pretty evenly matched. I don't dispute that the Stars should be favored but Cannon Fodder seams extreme Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Allison Gibson · University of Montana I can't read this on my phone for some reason, but way to go ESPN for forgetting the Sharks exist. It's not like they had an ESPN #1 play a couple months ago. Ridiculous. Your sports reporting is complete crap. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Barret Formslag · Sports & Recreation Manager at EXOS I love to see that a serious rivalry between the Kings and Sharks garners, on average, 1/2 of a sentence per team here. Like · Reply · 3 · 21 hrs James Dunsford · Fremont, California I am truly apalled at the blatant disrespect you show by excluding #9 from your list. The only remaining team is the San Jose Sharks, which have not only made the playoffs, but have also had the most away wins in the league. It is this kind of bias and disrespect which makes ESPN a complete joke in the hockey community. I am truly disappointed in the character of ESPN. Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs Dixie Normis You act surprised? The clowns at The Total Sports Network have thumbed their nose at the NHL for years, so this is nothing new. Like · Reply · 4 hrs David Hasson · Advertising Account Executive at Boulder Weekly So we are already eliminating the San Jose Sharks? I thought that you would at least wait until the first round to do that? Like · Reply · 3 · 23 hrs Luc Poseru Anderson · California State University, Long Beach The Sharks do quite nicely eliminating themselves early every year. Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs Jessica Block It's amazing to think that in week 11, the Pens were dead last. They end up 3rd here at seasons end. Well done Captain Canada and surrounding team. Good luck in the playoffs. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Caleb Schro · University of Pittsburgh Good to see the Penguins drop two spots after winning 14 of 15 and beating the Capitals in Washington last week. Like · Reply · 2 · 23 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese Was has not had anything to play for (except for personal records ) for a few weeks. They are the Pres. Trophy winners and no team was even close to them. They have to be ranked #1 going into the playoffs. Like · Reply · 23 hrs James Meyers Rob Neal that has nothing to do with the power rankings, apparently you didn't watch the Pens game. It sure looked like the Caps were trying to win that game. Like · Reply · 1 · 22 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese James Meyers I have been a Pens fan since 1983. I have enjoyed these past couple of months. I think they have a legit chance of making to the finals or even winning the cup. That being said I have to give credit to the Caps on what they accomplished this season, They had 16 more points than the Pens this year. We did beat them this past week but it was in OT. They won't play 3 on 3 in the playoffs. Like · Reply · 22 hrs Phil Adams · Senior Writer / Editor at UMUC James Meyers - They Caps were trying to win, but it wasn't their best effort. And against a good team like Pittsburgh, they needed to play tougher. Even so, the Caps made a game out of it after being down 3-0. Like · Reply · 21 hrs · Edited Caleb Schro · University of Pittsburgh The Power Rankings are more so related to a team's recent play as opposed to its yearly play, and the Penguins have clearly been the hottest team in the league for the past 3-4 weeks. Beating the Capitals on their home ice shouldn't make the Pens drop BELOW the Capitals in the rankings, no matter how close the Caps came to winning it. Like · Reply · 2 · 21 hrs James Meyers Caleb Schro I couldn't have said it better. Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese Caleb Schro There is no absolute way of ranking teams when it comes to power rankings. I balance the season with current streaks, The Pens have been playing great and I would rank them #2 ahead of teams like Dallas and St. Louis even they have overall better records. The Caps have 120 pts. and have dominated the nhl for most of the season. Too many points seperate them from everyone else. I can't put the Pens ahead of them. Like · Reply · 21 hrs Matt Hunsberger James Meyers...The latest Caps/Pens game was a perfect example of how the Capitals have been playing since they were garaunteed the best record in the league. And that happened way before they actually clinched the Presidents Trophy. In the Caps/Pens game Washington sleep walked through the first 2 periods then turned it on and made it a game. They did the exact same thing against the Kings a few weeks ago. The Capitals team you saw in the 3rd is the Capitals team you will see from start to finish now in the playoffs. When they play at full speed they are the best and deepest team in the league. Like · Reply · 20 hrs Rob Neal · Sanitation at Great Lakes Cheese Matt Hunsberger I just hope they sleep walk a little bit in the playoffs. The Caps have had great regular seasons before. How did the post season end? I think the playoffs are wide open and no team out there is a clear favorite. Like · Reply · 20 hrs David Lee I would say the Final Rankings here are the full / final season rankings whilst previous weeks were more week to week rankings. Pens are right where they deserve to be... Like · Reply · 19 hrs Matt Hunsberger Rob Neal...Comparing this Capitals team to past versions is pretty silly. This version has Williams and Oshie. This version has Kuznetsov, who even though he was there last year, wasn't even close to the player he is now. This team has 3 forward lines that had 8 of 9 guys score 17 or more goals. This team has one of the best goalies in the NHL who just matched the all time wins record even though he played 12 less games than Brodeur when he notched 48 wins. If it wasn't for some obvious ref lapses last year this team would have played the Lightning in the East Finals. This is the best team in the league...period. Like · Reply · 2 · 19 hrs Caleb Schro · University of Pittsburgh If you want to see the "final rankings" based off of every single week of play, then you're in the wrong place; you're looking for the standings. The Power Rankings are for the teams who are the biggest threat heading into the next week of play, and clearly the Penguins are a bigger threat in the East than the Caps are right now. I'm not sure how you could possibly justify ranking a team who's 7-5-4 since March 8th, over a team who's 14-2 (including 2-0 against the Caps) over the same stretch. Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs John Hodges Caleb Schro question ...when will Malkin and Fleury be back ? the reason why I ask is the Pens are not as good without them. I get they been hot....but the playoffs are a different beast. Can they keep it up without them ? Like · Reply · 1 · 17 hrs Show 2 more replies in this thread Joshua Henry · Aurora, Colorado Dont sleep on Smashville. If they replicate the success in February/Most of March, this team has a chance to go on a deep playoff run. Like · Reply · 1 · 21 hrs Luc Poseru Anderson · California State University, Long Beach If by "deep" you mean winning 2 games before losing in the 1st round, I agree with you. Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs Kevin Nestra · Works at Music City Tents Luc Poseru Anderson i believe we rested players? the stars BARELY beat us when we had half out roster sitting, including pekka n they had something to play for n had everyone playing. it'll be 2011 all over again for the ducks. Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs Kevin Nestra · Works at Music City Tents ohh yea n go Preds!! Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs David Lee Josh Again, I have total respect for the Preds...awesome job...nice team, solid season...but take a closer look what you are facing... #1 in NHL on PK, #1 in NHL on PP , 1st in GAA, 1st in Pacific....Preds are one of the best teams in Hockey over the past few months....you are now facing the best team in NHL since Christmas by a large %...Ducks in 6. The Question is will Ducks win the cup...not if they will get out of the first round. Preds are overmatched. Good Luck. Like · Reply · 19 hrs Joshua Henry · Aurora, Colorado David Lee 2nd season and anything can happen Like · Reply · 19 hrs David Lee Joshua Henry Ok yes I guess you can say that about anything any series....but in a 7 Game series usually the better team wins....1 game scenario you are correct. Like · Reply · 19 hrs Joshua Henry · Aurora, Colorado David Lee upsets happen to the best in hockey. Year in and year out. I say it will be a 7 game series. I understand Preds are backed up against the wall here. Both teams played really well after the calendar year changed over. Preds play Ducks and Kings really good. Regular season doesn't matter now. What you did PP/PK wise doesn't matter now. Ask the Preds circa 2012 what having #1 PP meant in the playoffs! 2-21 and bounced by the Coyotes. Like · Reply · 19 hrs David Lee Joshua Henry Agree....Good Luck. Like · Reply · 44 mins Scott Tucker · Jonestown, Texas Big questions: Is this truly a different Caps team? I suspect that it is. Will this be the same old Hawks team, i.e. will they now "awake" with the playoffs? I've got to say, I think they'll get past the Blues but I bet it goes 7. As to the Stars, the defense was significantly upgraded with additions Russel and Johns. Both Niemi and Lehtonen looked their very best over the last 6 weeks of the season as did the entire team. I think they'll go out of the West. The real season now begins. Oh, and to say that ESPN actually "covers" hockey is to say I "cover" ballet because, if I choose to, I could put on my long underwear bottoms and leap around my living room. Like · Reply · 3 hrs Jim Molloy · Manchester, New Hampshire Expected the Bruins to drop at least 7 spots due to their collapse. Two years out of the playoffs, Julien should be out real soon. Like · Reply · 4 hrs Jordan Bishopp Both the Ducks and Kings should be behind the Hawks and Blues. The Central Division has been the toughest in the NHL all year. Like · Reply · 21 hrs Luc Poseru Anderson · California State University, Long Beach The Blues suck in the playoffs. Every year. Until they actually do something, they should be ranked below other teams with intact cores who know how to win playoff series. Like · Reply · 20 hrs David Lee Jordan Curious as to what difference does it make if Vancouver and Calgary are in the Pacific as to how good the Ducks and Kings are.. I understand its a weaker division top to bottom....but if we are just comparing how good these teams in question here areon the ice, I think they got the rankings right here.... Like · Reply · 41 mins Kevin Weidman · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Flyers dont match up well against the Caps? Thats funny, I'm pretty sure the Caps havent faired well against ANY team the last 8 years in the playoffs....... Like · Reply · 21 hrs Ona D. Lamb · Dartmouth College Agreed, it's a retarded assertion. Won't be shocked to see them implode yet again. Like · Reply · 20 hrs John Hodges we shall see Like · Reply · 17 hrs Dixie Normis Being a Pens fan I love this match-up. Philly will give the Caps more than they can handle and would not be surpirsed to see them take it to seven games, and even winning the series. Like · Reply · 1 · 4 hrs Tim Krause · Grayson County College Sorry Sharks fans, it appears that the cat is out of the bag, and your team will fill the new arena in Las Vegas. jk Like · Reply · 20 hrs David Lee 7 of top 10 are in the West. This is correct. FLA should be #8 not #6...anyone here really think FLA is a better team than Chicago or STL? Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs David Romer Good job ESPN.. great job forgetting a WHOLE team. Like · Reply · 12 · Apr 11, 2016 1:10pm Michael Kennedy · Arroyo Grande, California When Did San Jose get kicked out of the NHL? Like · Reply · 11 · Apr 11, 2016 1:00pm Noah Yates I guess that's them at the missing 9th spot Like · Reply · 2 · Apr 11, 2016 1:05pm