NHL Overtime Team Rankings: Cup Finalists Both Elite

Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) looks to pass the puck against New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky (11) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

#30) New Jersey Devils – the offensively challenged Devils are the anchor of my NHL overtime rankings.  The lineup of Adam Henrique and Mike Cammalleri at forward, Adam Larsson on defense and Corey Schneider in goal is reasonable enough defensively, but if you thought Schneider was a piñata last year hide your eyes when the Devils get to overtime.

If the Devils play 20 overtime games as they did last year, Schneider will either wind up gassed or hurt.  The Devils don’t have the horses to keep up at a fast-paced, three-on-three game.

#29) Arizona Coyotes – The Coyotes are likely bad again this year by design but have a tremendous future ahead of them with the young talent they are acquiring.  That won’t help them this year.  Mikkel Boedker is coming off an injury, Shane Doan is productive but 38 years old, and Mike Smith just had the worst season in his career.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson will win a few NHL overtime games himself, but he isn’t enough to keep the Coyotes from losing more than they win in extra hockey.  I don’t expect a repeat of last years 10-8 overtime and shootout record.

#28) Toronto Maple Leafs – this is what happens when a team is bad, then plans to be bad by trading their best scorer and taking a long-term view of the future.  James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak are most likely to start NHL overtime, but will either player still be with the Leafs by October?  Hard to tell with the team in flux.

Morgan Reilly is more likely to be the lead defenseman with younger legs than Dion Phaneuf, and Jonathan Bernier still hasn’t quite become the élite goaltender Toronto thought they got from the Los Angeles Kings.  A lot of that is the team in front, which won’t get better as the season goes on.  That could be good news as the Leafs should lose plenty in regulation this year as the rebuild begins.

#27) Boston Bruins – another storied franchise having a transformative offseason.  I’m convinced anyone on the Bruins roster could be had for a price, including Tuukka Rask and Patrice Bergeron.  Those cornerstone players are less likely to go so look for them on-ice in NHL overtime.

Brad Marchand and Torey Krug round out the starters, which will make this Bruins foursome tough to score on.  They will not want to play another 27 games which go to overtime, which they managed to do with a losing record last year (13-14).

#26) Carolina Hurricanes – I have Carolina low in the rankings more based on inexperience on the blue line and questions in goal.  The Hurricanes will be fast putting sniper Jeff Skinner and defenseman Justin Faulk on the back side, though that could easily be Elias Lindholm.  In either case both players are still growing at the NHL level and may get exposed with more ice to work.

Having a veteran presence in Eric Staal helps steady some of that.  Is Eddie Lack ready to take over for Cam Ward?  The uncertain situation in goal won’t help short-term, but this is a team that could move up as the season moves on.  There is plenty of talent and speed for NHL overtime here but questions need answered as the season goes on.

#25) Philadelphia Flyers – the Flyers will send out a potent offensive duo in Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, but Michael Del Zotto and Steve Mason on the back-end mean Flyers games going to NHL overtime are likely to end quickly, win or lose.  This is another team that could rise depending on how the defense improves.

Mark Streit is talented but aging.  Young legs in Luke Schenn and Shayne Gostisbehere could emerge to take the lead.  The Flyers will not have much trouble putting up points but keeping the other team from doing the same will be a concern.

Next: NHL Overtime: Teams 19 through 24

Apr 11, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) and forward Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrate forward Taylor Hall (4) goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

#24) Buffalo Sabres – another team with questions between the pipes as young but injured Robin Lehner gets his chance to claim a starting role.  In front of Lehner the Sabres won’t look anything like the team that didn’t seem they could score 100 goals for a season at times the last two years.

The Sabres will have speed to burn up front with Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Ennis and Evander Kane.  Take your pick with two of those three players and watch them fly and create.  On defense Zach Bogosian will likely lead those extra minutes in NHL overtime but Rasmus Ristolainen is also ready for the challenge.

If Lehner is healthy and the player GM Tim Murray thinks he is, the Buffalo Sabres could rocket into the top ten.

#23) Florida Panthers – most of the Florida Panthers guns are young and fast and Jaromir Jagr is still terrifying in open space.  Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad round out the skaters while a healthy Roberto Luongo will make a difference over last years tough NHL overtime results.

The growth of Huberdeau and Ekblad, which very good last year, will have the Panthers thinking and expecting a playoff spot.  Healthy goaltending will help that cause.  The Panthers will be fun to watch and are also capable of moving up here depending on how many young players continue to improve.

#22) San José Sharks – it feels like a decade or more that the Sharks have been good but should have been better.  Last season missing the playoffs should have signaled transition (see Bruins, Boston) but doesn’t.  Doug Wilson and Joe Thornton may still not like each other yet they continue to coexist.

Thornton and Logan Couture will lead the offense and Brent Burns acts as a third forward playing the blue line.  But what’s going on in goal?  Is Alex Stalock getting the nod over newly acquired Martin Jones?  Will they split?  As usual there are more questions than answers around the talented yet underperforming San José Sharks.

#21) Ottawa Senators – The Ottawa Senators will put as much talent on the ice three-on-three as most teams in the new NHL overtime format.  Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson will feel like three forwards offensively.  Karlsson had 23 more points last season than the leading scorer on the New Jersey Devils as a defenseman.

The logjam in the Senators crease was resolve and Craig Anderson appears the clear starter now.  Anderson has played well in stretches and struggled in others.  The offensive ability should take over for Ottawa and cover some of the defensive questions.

#20) Detroit Red Wings – the loss of Pavel Datsyuk hurts the Red Wings and could create an offensive hole they will spend the season digging out of.  Even without Datsyuk, Detroit will be strong again as young forwards Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist have creativity made for the new NHL overtime rules.  Niklas Kronwell can put up points on defense but who is in goal?

After Petr Mrazek took the crease over Jimmy Howard for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Howard’s future is surrounded with questions.  With head coach Mike Babcock in Toronto now, Howard may get a second chance to take the starting job back.  If Mrazek were the clear starter going into the season and Datsyuk were healthy, the Red Wings are a few spots higher on this list.

#19) Edmonton Oilers – too many questions for me to put them higher.  The Oilers are much improved up and down the roster under new GM Peter Chiarelli and should be very exciting to watch there-on-three.  Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall seem likely to start up front but all that open ice will be inviting to rookie Connor McDavid.  Will he be far along enough on the learning curve?  Will the Oilers care and just put him on the ice anyway?

Defense was the sore spot last year but is much improved.  The Oilers will rotate several smooth-skating defenseman during NHL overtime but Andrej Sekera and Justin Schultz are likely to split starting honors.    Cam Talbot could be the anchor the Oilers have looked for in the crease and the benefactor of a much improved defense.  Will the Oilers speed and skill in NHL overtime earn enough extra points to contend for the playoffs?

Next: NHL Overtime - Teams 13 Through 18 Better Than Average

Apr 22, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) controls the puck during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

#18) Winnipeg Jets – trying to figure out a starting NHL overtime lineup with the Jets is difficult because of the depth of talent on the roster.  The problem is there isn’t a clear game breaker.  Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little seem likely to start up front for the Jets.  Tyler Myers is an excellent skater and will have no issues creating offense with extra space.

The Jets do have a question in goal with Michael Hutchinson pursuing Ondrej Pavelec for the starting job.  I believe Pavelec starts the season as the top option and his streaky nature keeps the Jets a little further down the rankings, though not much.

#17) Vancouver Canucks – Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin with more open space to work should be great fun to watch.  Unless you’re the opposing team.  The problem for Vancouver comes as your move further back to the crease.

Alex Edler is a quality player but not the caliber of the more elite defenders yet to come on this list.  Ryan Miller is coming back from an injury and feels as if he’s declining a bit.  He was pushed hard by Eddie Lack, whom was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.  Jacob Markstrom won’t provide the same push right away, which may help Miller.

#16) Minnesota Wild – Zach Parise is the best two-way player on the Wild and is a must for NHL overtime in Minnesota.  While Thomas Vanek scored more goals, Jason Pominville plays a more balanced game and will make a better partner for Parise.

Ryan Suter on defense will make space on the ice feel smaller than it should.  The career of Devan Dubnyk was reborn with the Wild though he must prove he can carry that over from year to year.  That and a lack of next-level speed keep Minnesota in the middle of the pack despite the talent level.

#15) Los Angeles Kings – An all-around solid top four for NHL overtime, getting extra points here shouldn’t be a problem.  It’s winning enough games in regulation to make the playoffs that is concerning after missing out last season.

Anze Kopitar and Tyler Toffoli will be potent while Jeff Carter can rotate in with his strong possession numbers.  Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick will anchor the back-end, allowing the forwards to take more chances.  Also despite missing the playoffs last year, this is a veteran group that is smart and knows how to compete.  The Kings will be a difficult team to beat in NHL overtime.  I believe the 3-15 record from this group is a freak accident – expect much better this season.

#14) Colorado Avalanche – The front line speed of Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon will create highlight reel moments in NHL overtime.  Speed to burn and hands to go with it but both are still young, particularly MacKinnon.

Much the same applies to Tyson Barrie but these three players should light the ice and scoresheet on fire.  Defensively I have concerns about this unit with their youth but there is serious potential to move up here.  My primary concern is Semyon Varlamov.  As good as he was in stretches last season he needs to stay healthy and playing well.  If he goes down with that pesky groin injury, Colorado becomes more vulnerable.

#13) Columbus Blue Jackets – Another solid pair of forwards in Ryan Johanson and Nick Foligno.  Fast, creative and physical though the latter won’t matter much in NHL overtime.  Both good skaters that can create and finish but also have strong possession numbers.

Jack Johnson will give extra stability and punch on defense and Sergei Bobrovsky can keep the Jackets in any game no matter the situation.  Much like the Avalanche, health in goal is a must to get those critical extra points in NHL overtime.  If ‘Officer Bob’ is healthy, not only will this be a great team in NHL overtime but will be a serious threat to win the Eastern conference.

Next: NHL Overtime - Cracking The Top Ten Teams

Oct 10, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban (76) skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

#12) New York Islanders – I could have put the Blue Jackets, Avalanche and Islanders in any order and been satisfied with it, but I have the Islanders ahead slightly because the tandem of John Tavares and Kyle Okposo have a greater body of work.

Nick Leddy is a great skater with excellent vision that complements the finishers up front.  Jaroslav Halak is the least accomplished goaltender of the three, but the proven offense up front is enough to put the Islanders just ahead.  For now.

#11) Montreal Canadiens – an offensively challenged team like Montreal shouldn’t be this close to cracking the top ten best NHL overtime teams.  Not every team has all everything goaltending with Carey Price.  Until he scores his first NHL goal, someone else has to light the lamp.

PK Subban will certainly do his part as an exciting playmaker on defense.  But the Canadiens will need more from Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk.  Both of whom can fly but Galchenyuk needs to play defense and have confidence in his game to be successful.  Montreal putting him in a consistent position, perhaps at center, can help that cause.

#10) Calgary Flames – Most people won’t see what I do in Calgary.  After watching more Flames hockey last season than any other team I’m convinced if Calgary plays anyone in NHL overtime, not only will they not be afraid but they will relentlessly run you into the ground.  They deserve to be in the top ten.

Sean Monahan and John Gaudreau can blaze and finish while newly acquired Dougie Hamilton will take the lead on defense until Mark Giordano recovers from his torn bicep.  There are questions in goal with Jonas Hiller still the starter but Karri Ramo is pushing, nearly splitting starts last year in half.  The three skaters will be skilled enough and fast enough to make up for some goaltending shortcomings.

#9) Dallas Stars – Dallas has one of the five best goal scorers in the league in Tyler Seguin.  Seguin is skilled enough and fast enough to beat many players in the league one-on-one, which easily can happen with so much open ice.  Having Jamie Benn on the ice with him only makes the Stars more dangerous.  It’s as good a one-two punch as will be in the league.

They will have to cover up for some concerns behind them.  Jyrki Jokipakka and John Klingberg are both young, smooth skaters.  Klingberg lead Dallas defensemen in scoring and plus/minus so he will have the inside track, but Dallas can rotate a few options here.  In goal the signing of Antti Niemi signals a reduced confidence in Kari Lehtonen, though he remains the starter heading into the season.  If Lehtonen can find his form, this is a top five team.

#8) St. Louis Blues – When Vladimir Tarasenko gets the puck in NHL overtime fans of the Blues and whatever poor team they’re playing will believe the game is over.  Among the most exciting players in the game, Tarasenko will take the ice with Paul Stastny and Alex Pietrangelo to form a team full of offense yet defensively sound.

They will need to be if Jake Allen is anything like the goaltender from the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.  Some of the goals given up by Allen were maddening yet he remains full of skill and potential.  He needs to meet that if the Blues want to get extra points out of NHL overtime and make the playoffs.  The extra ice will be an advantage with Tarasenko.  Getting there could be a problem.

#7) New York Rangers – another offensively challenged team, another élite goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist.  The difference in New York is they have more proven speed and finish than Montreal.

Rick Nash and Derek Stepan would make a potent duo though the better choice for fresher, faster legs would be Chris Kreider over Nash.  No matter how you combine the three players you create a potent forward combination.  Add Keith Yandle as a stout defensive presence who contributes offensively, and the Rangers will get plenty of extra points in NHL overtime.

Next: NHL Overtime - The Top Six, Best Of The Best

Jun 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) and center Tyler Johnson (9) talk during the second period at game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#6) Nashville Predators – see a theme yet?  Elite goaltending with one quick-skating sniper.  Pekka Rinne and Filip Forsberg fit that description in Nashville.  Pairing James Neal with Forsberg will make a potent offensive pair.

What makes this go is Roman Josi taking the next step.  He had an excellent season last year and will be leaned on heavily while Shea Weber recovers.  Josi is an élite defensemen you don’t watch enough and will be a Norris Trophy candidate this season.  Watch him in NHL overtime to see how good he really is.

#5) Washington Capitals – Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are going to end a bunch of NHL overtime games.  Quickly.  Adding John Carlson on defense puts the Capitals three highest scoring players from last season on the ice with more space to work.  Have fun stopping that.

On top of the offense is Braden Holtby, coming off a season where a goalie would normally get more attention for the Vezina trophy if not for Carey Price being from another universe.  This starting four begins the top five with good reason and could easily end as the best NHL overtime unit.

#4) Anaheim Ducks – you’re going to see a pattern develop from this point on.  Elite talent, big scorers, strong on defense and very good goaltending.  Up front in Anaheim are the dynamic duo of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

The Ducks youth has one season of experience with them now and should be even stronger this season with it.  Sami Vatanen and Frederik Andersen made significant contributions on a team one game away from playing for the Stanley Cup.  They will be strong again and the Ducks will be a force picking up extra points in NHL overtime.

#3) Tampa Bay Lightning – take the top three teams, put them in a hat and see what you pull out.  I can argue any of them should be at the top of this.  Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson were monsters in the regular season and Nikita Kucherov emerged with Johnson as impact players in the playoffs as well.  It’s possible, though unlikely, that Stamkos could not start NHL overtime for the Lightning and I still wouldn’t move them down.

Victor Hedman received praise and talk for the Conn Smythe trophy.  If Tampa Bay had won the Cup it would have been his.  That tells me all I need to know about his play in the defensive zone, and he contributes offensively.  Those long stretch passes to a pair of F-16’s up front will give opposing coaches nightmares.

Ben Bishop will spend all offseason getting healthy and if he is, provides a solid backstop for Tampa Bay.  Look what he did injured in the Finals against Chicago.  I know they lost the series, but it wasn’t for a lack of good play from Bishop.

#2)  Pittsburgh Penguins – talk about nightmares.  Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang.  The speed and skill in this combination will shake a few cameramen as well as opponents.  The vision of Crosby and Malkin together with that much open space should be illegal.

Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t have his best season last year but I believe he receives too much criticism for his play.  The Penguins have traded away young players and prospects while relying on top-heavy lines and good health with them.  They did it again this year trading youth and futures for Phil Kessel.

While Kessel will pay immediate offensive dividends and be an excellent playing in NHL overtime himself, I’m concerned about the Penguins gassing out if they play a bunch of overtime games.  This team won’t be very deep, but the top of the lineup is frightening.

#1) Chicago Blackhawks – to the Cup champs go the spoils.  The Blackhawks top my NHL overtime rankings with good reason.  Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are like Batman and another Batman.  One night Toews will beat you, the next night it’s Kane.

Maybe the night after that it’s Duncan Keith.  After the playoffs I can believe he will play 27 minutes in regulation, then the full five minute overtime and probably have the energy to resurface the ice with a trowel after.  And be one of the best in the game doing it.  All three of these players could stop playing now and go to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Behind them stands Corey Crawford, a man whom lost his crease briefly in the playoffs but came back to seemingly get stronger with every series.  Crawford doesn’t get the credit his teammates do for the Blackhawks success, but he is a very good goalie with an excellent team in front of him.  Right now, they are the best team in the league until another proves otherwise.

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