NHL Playoffs: First-round rankings of the three finest teams with … included.

NHL Playoffs: First-round rankings of the three finest teams with … included.

The first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs is nearly over, and hockey fans have witnessed an entertaining batch of high-energy, high-stakes play. Some teams are standing out more than others as legitimate Cup contenders.

Here are the three most impressive teams this writer has seen thus far in the first round. In reverse order:

3. FLORIDA PANTHERS The Panthers didn’t have it easy with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round – sending the Bolts packing in five games – but they showed why they’re the pick of many observers to continue on a deep playoff run. The Panthers played in tight defensive contests, including two games that ended in Florida wins by a 3-2 margin, and high-octane offensive wins, including two games where they averaged 5.5 goals-for per game. Florida’s goal-producing prowess has been the third-best in the playoffs thus far, with Carter Verhaeghe, Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov combining for 23 points. But most of their lineup has been making timely contributions on offense. While veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky wasn’t at his best at times in the series, Florida’s offense has taken some of the pressure off him in terms of stealing games. The Panthers can beat you any way they choose, and they will be the clear favorite to win their second-round series against Boston or Toronto. Florida may be the best team the Eastern Conference has to offer, and time will tell whether they rise to the occasion and win the first Cup in franchise history or falter again near the finish line.

2. NEW YORK RANGERS Let’s be honest here – did anyone give the Washington Capitals a chance to win their first-round showdown against the Rangers? The Blueshirts were the better team on paper, and they proved to be by far the better team on the ice. They swept the Caps and humbled Washington icon Alexander Ovechkin in the process, limiting him to zero points and only five shots on net in the series. The Rangers flexed hard on the Capitals, with superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin surrendering only one goal in two of the Rangers’ wins and two goals in one of the other two wins. Shesterkin was clearly the better netminder in the Washington series, and as the Rangers prepare to face the mighty Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, the Blueshirts have demonstrated they’re a quick, balanced team with youthful energy but veteran savvy. The Rangers last made it to the conference final in 2021, but they haven’t won a conference final since 2014. That could change this time. Their current players are talented enough to make it to the Cup final, and we like the Blueshirts to get that far. They’re extremely dangerous with the puck, and they take care of their own end. That’s all you can ask of any playoff team, and the Rangers should emerge as the best of the Eastern Conference this season.

1. COLORADO AVALANCHE The Avalanche stumbled out of the gate, losing Game 1 to Winnipeg by a 7-6 score. From there, Colorado averaged just two goals against in their next four games to send the Jets home for the summer. The Avs generated 22 goals-for in their four wins over Winnipeg, and the speed at which they operated in every game of the series was seriously impressive. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has a proven group of winners in his arsenal. While some people fawn over Toronto’s “Core Four” of elite players, Colorado’s top four players – Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and, let’s say, Valeri Nichushkin – are as intimidating as it gets. The Avs’ championship pedigree was on full display against the Jets. Whether they get the Dallas Stars or Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2, Colorado has an excellent chance to make it to the Western Conference final at least. The Avalanche don’t have many, if any, issues to deal with coming out of the first round. If MacKinnon continues being one of the biggest beasts in the league and their goaltending holds up, the Avs might just be the biggest threat in the conference and the NHL itself. They’re that good and that determined to win it all.