20. Florida Panthers (23)
This Florida Panthers team is one of the many in the Eastern Conference wild card log jam. Wins last week against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins were important ones for the Cats to pick up, so they rise in these rankings.
19. Nashville Predators (19)
Mikael Granlund and Mattias Ekholm were shipped out of town last week, yet the Nashville Predators remain the first team out of the playoff picture in the West.
Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Jeannot were also moved, so don’t expect this selling team to make much noise in the spring.
18. Buffalo Sabres (16)
The Buffalo Sabres went 2-2 last week and acquired Jordan Greenway at the NHL Trade Deadline. Buffalo has some work to do if it hopes to make the playoffs, but it has at least put itself in a position to continue contending for a postseason berth.
17. Pittsburgh Penguins (18)
The Penguins had been playing very poorly a couple of weeks ago, but four straight wins before a loss to the Panthers has Pittsburgh back in control of a wild card spot. With a few trades made to address depth concerns, the Pens are prepared to take another run at the Cup.