Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings: New Number One

May 17, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot (3) celebrates his first period goal against Pittsburgh Penguins with Bobby Ryan (9) Ryan Dzingel (18) and Erik Karlsson (65) in the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot (3) celebrates his first period goal against Pittsburgh Penguins with Bobby Ryan (9) Ryan Dzingel (18) and Erik Karlsson (65) in the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 5

Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings – Full 4-Team Analysis with Players to Watch, Injury Reports, Statistical Updates (Leaders, Special Teams, etc.), and More.

Welcome back to our Stanley Cup Playoffs Power Rankings. In addition to my top 4 rankings, I provide in-depth analysis and feature a weekly player to watch profile to help fans now who to keep on eye on during the conference finals. Seven new players appear in the top five below, and you’ll be surprised who is number one.

Site expert Matt Duscharme will be covering all 4 teams.

*all stats in this week’s NHL Playoff Power Rankings are heading into Friday (May.19th) night’s action.

stanley cup playoffs power rankings
May 19, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (71) pursues the play against Ottawa Senators in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Top 5 Forwards
1.Evgeni Malkin, PIT (15gp, 6g, 14a, 20pts)
2.Ryan Getzlaf, ANA (15gp, 8g, 10a, 18pts)
3.Leon Draisaitl, EDM (13gp, 6g, 10a, 16pts)
4.Phil Kessel, PIT (15gp, 6g, 9a, 15pts)
5.Sidney Crosby, PIT (14gp, 5g, 10a, 15pts)

Top 5 Defensemen
1.Erik Karlsson, OTT (15gp, 2g, 12a, 14pts)
2.Roman Josi, NSH (14gp, 5g, 5a, 10pts)
3.Ryan Ellis, NSH (14gp, 4g, 6a, 10pts)
4.P.K. Subban, NSH (14gp, 2g, 7a, 9pts)
5.Justin Schultz, PIT (14gp, 2g, 6a, 8pts)

Top 5 Rookies
1.Jake Guentzel, PIT (15gp, 9g, 5a, 14pts)
2.Shea Theodore, ANA (14gp, 2g, 6a, 8pts)
3.Brandon Montour, ANA (15gp, 0g, 6a, 6pts)
4.Auston Matthews, TOR (6gp, 4g, 1a, 5pts)
5.Brady Skjei, NYR (12gp, 4g, 1a, 5pts)