Panthers, Flames lead contenders in playoff Power Rankings

Despite the challenges of a 2020 post-season bubble and a 2021 season shorted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to persevere and capture back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

Are they the favourites to win it all again and become the first NHL team to three-peat since the New York Islanders dynasty of the 1980s? That's for our TSN Hockey analysts to predict.

Going into the Stanley Cup marathon, we present - with the help of our colleagues at Sportlogiq - our playoff power rankings for all 16 teams based on their goal differential and expected goal differential from the regular season.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Florida Panthers (1st) vs. Washington Capitals (14th)

Florida Panthers Avg Goal Differential: 1.16 (1st) Avg XGoal Differential: 0.79 (1st)Washington Capitals Avg Goal Differential: 0.34 (13th) Avg XGoal Differential: 0.11 (15th) The Florida Panthers enter their series against the Washington Capitals as heavy favourites. The Panthers are our top-ranked playoff team after finishing the regular season first in goal and expected goal differential. Florida won two of three games against the Caps this season, but Washington played the Panthers close. Expect a physical series with the Panthers coming out on top.

Toronto Maple Leafs (5th) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (7th)

Tampa Bay Lightning Avg Goal Differential: 0.70 (7th) Avg XGoal Differential: 0.35 (7th)Toronto Maple Leafs Avg Goal Differential: 0.73 (6th) Avg XGoal Differential: 0.77 (2nd) This series should be one of the most competitive of the first round. Each team won twice in their regular-season series and each team has world-class offensive talent. The Lightning should have the edge in goal with Andrei Vasilevskiy and his career .924 playoff