NHL Playoff Power Rankings: St. Louis and Nashville Fighting for Number One

NHL Playoff Power Rankings – Full 16-Team Analysis with Players to Watch, Injury Reports, Statistical Updates (Leaders, Special Teams, etc.), and More.

Welcome back to our NHL Playoff Power Rankings. This is usually a collaboration between Matt Duscharme and Trin Potratz, but unfortunately, Trin will be absent this week. In addition to our top 16 rankings, we provide in-depth analysis and feature a weekly player to watch profile to help fans now who to keep on eye on during the first round.

This week site expert Matt Duscharme will be covering all 16 teams.

*all stats in our first NHL Playoff Power Rankings are heading into Thursday (Apr.20th) night's action.

Top 5 Forwards
1.Evgeni Malkin, PIT (4gp, 2g, 6a, 8pts)
2.Jake Guentzel, PIT (4gp, 5g, 1a, 6pts)
3.Alexander Radulov, MTL (4gp, 2g, 4a, 6pts)
4.T.J. Oshie, WSH (4gp, 2g, 4a, 6pts)
5.Sidney Crosby, PIT (4gp, 1g, 5a, 6pts)

Top 5 Defensemen
1.Shea Theodore, ANA (4gp, 2g, 3a, 5pts)
2.Erik Karlsson, OTT (4gp, 0g, 5a, 5pts)
3.Morgan Rielly, TOR (4gp, 1g, 3a, 4pts)
4.Kevin Bieksa, ANA (4gp, 0g, 4a, 4pts)
5.T.J. Brodie (4gp, 0g, 4a, 4pts)

Top 5 Rookies
1.Jake Guentzel, PIT (4gp, 5g, 1a, 6pts)
2.Shea Theodore, ANA (4gp, 2g, 3a, 5pts)
3.Mitch Marner, TOR (4gp, 1g, 3a, 4pts)
4.Auston Matthews, TOR (4gp, 2g, 1a, 3pts)
5.William Nylander, TOR (4gp, 1g, 2a, 3pts)

Apr 17, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) fixes his gear during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: 12 (-4)

Team Record: (0-4)

Goals For:

Goals Against:

Special Teams

PP: (37.5 percent) (1st)
PK: (76.9 percent) (12th)

Injury List

Ladislav Smid – Neck – Out-for-Season

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Sean Monahan (4gp 4g 1a 5pts)
Top Defenseman: T.J. Brodie (4gp 0g 4a 4pts)
Top Rookie: Matthew Tkachuk (4gp 0g 0a 0pts -2)
Top Goaltender: Chad Johnson (0 wins 1.16GAA .952 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Sean Monahan (4gp 4g 1a 5pts)

The Flames but up an amazing fight but it just wasn't enough, they were often pushed around by a much bigger and stronger team in Anaheim. But that didn't stop them from scoring a bunch of goals and having the number one ranked power-play in the post season.

While Johnny Gaudreau came back to lead the team in scoring after his injury in the regular season, he passed the torch to linemate Sean Monahan who took it and ran with it putting up five points in four games. And while Brian Elliott wasn't solid, he did make some important saves to keep his team in some games. But the play of Chad Johnson in his only game is something that shouldn't be overlooked. In his only game he posted a .952 save percentage and a 1.16 goals-against-average, maybe the Flames should have started him every game instead.

Player to Watch: Mark Giordano

2016-17 stats: 4gp 0g 1a 1pt

The Flames captain didn't put up many points this postseason with only one assist in four games, but he did what a captain is supposed to do. Mark Giordano calmed his team down and helped them keep composed while under a mass amount of pressure. And by the way, Calgary played all year long, expect better things next season.

Apr 17, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing David Pastrnak (88) is surrounded by left wing Brad Marchand (63), defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73), center Patrice Bergeron (37) and center Ryan Spooner (51) after scoring a goal during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins

Previous Ranking: 11 (-4)

Team Record: (1-3)

Goals For:

Goals Against:

Special Teams

Injury List

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Player of the Week: F David Backes (3gp 1g 1a 2pts)

Player to Watch: Patrice Bergeron

Next: 14. Chicago Blackhawks