The NHL has whittled down from 32 groups to 16 that stay within the hunt for the Stanley Cup. With the playoffs set to start on Saturday, it is time for our annual rating of the highest 50 gamers who will take part within the postseason.
The playoff version of ESPN NHL Rank seeks to establish the highest forwards, defensemen and goaltenders within the upcoming match. Dozens of voters participated, selecting one winner in a sequence of head-to-head voting matchups created from the gamers on the 16 postseason qualifiers.
With many awards finalists and confirmed playoff performers within the combine this spring, who comes out on prime? We begin with a participant who scored extra targets this season than anybody previously 30 years.
Observe: Preseason rank refers back to the prime 100 revealed on Oct. 17, 2023. Write-ups are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.
2023-24 stats: 69 G | 38 A | 107 PTS
Preseason rank: 5
Matthews impresses each season, however this one was arguably his finest all-around efficiency — and that ought to bode nicely for Toronto’s playoff prospects.
The Leafs’ star heart racing in direction of the 70-goal mark stored everybody enthralled, but in addition confirmed how he can dominate offensively with out sacrificing his two-way recreation. These targets weren’t meaningless, both. Matthews has shone brightest in most of Toronto’s important moments, foreshadowing the type of element and vitality the Leafs want from him all through a postseason run. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 21 G | 69 A | 89 PTS
Preseason rank: 2
Makar is usually talked about as among the best — if not the very best — defensemen in hockey. When the Avs received the Stanley Cup in 2022, it was Makar who received the Conn Smythe Award as playoffs MVP. His skill to create for others and himself is a giant cause why the Avs are looking for a second Stanley Cup within the final three seasons. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 51 G | 87 A | 138 PTS
Preseason rank: 3
There is a cause why MacKinnon is taken into account to be one of many recreation’s most harmful gamers. Whereas his regular-season exploits have garnered consideration, simply know that “Playoff MacKinnon” is an actual factor. MacKinnon has averaged at the very least a degree per recreation in every of his earlier seven postseason campaigns. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 32 G | 100 A | 132 PTS
Preseason rank: 1
After a gradual begin for the staff and its star heart, McDavid helped lead the Oilers again to the playoffs with a historic offensive marketing campaign, changing into simply the fourth participant in NHL historical past to eclipse 100 assists in a single season. — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 41 G | 65 A | 106 PTS
Preseason rank: 6
Draisaitl had 106 factors in 80 video games for the Oilers within the common season. During the last two postseasons, he is second to McDavid in points-per-game common (1.79). — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 43 G | 99 A | 142 PTS
Preseason rank: 8
Kucherov was voted the NHL’s prime playmaker by his friends within the newest NHLPA ballot, and you may see why: The star winger had a degree on over 50% of his staff’s targets this season, one thing solely six different gamers have achieved in NHL historical past. — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 26 G | 62 A | 88 PTS
Preseason rank: 11
What is going to Tkachuk do for an encore? That is what we’re all questioning after the Panthers star had 24 factors in 20 video games final postseason. That included 11 targets, of which three had been extra time game-winners, gifting us the “bus in 10, boys!” celebration that noticed Tkachuk sprinting off the ice. — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 37-19-4 | 2.39 GAA | .921 SV%
Preseason rank: 14
A five-time 30-game winner, the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner has established himself as among the best goaltenders within the recreation. What he is performed this season solely provides to that popularity. What he might do within the playoffs might additional improve his standing as he seeks to guide the Jets out of the primary spherical of the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that 2020-21 season. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 49 G | 71 A | 120 PTS
Preseason rank: 32
Panarin was upset about his efficiency in final yr’s playoffs. So he shaved his head, educated exhausting and returned to have the very best season of his profession, with 49 targets and 120 factors. Few gamers are extra decided to make their mark within the playoffs than the Rangers winger. — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 57 G | 37 A | 94 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
Whereas Reinhart’s extraordinary 57-goal season will get a lot of the consideration, the Panthers ahead was additionally an especially efficient defensive participant as nicely. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer season, and a stellar postseason will solely enhance his value. — Wyshynski
2023-24 stats: 41 G | 62 A | 103 PTS
Preseason rank: 7
He is the creator of three straight seasons of greater than 50 assists, and simply accomplished his second consecutive marketing campaign of greater than 100 factors. All the weather that make Rantanen such a menace is simply amplified within the playoffs, the place he is scored 30 targets and is averaging greater than a degree per recreation over 70 postseason contests. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 17 G | 74 A | 91 PTS
Preseason rank: 60
It is by no means been a query of expertise on the subject of the oldest Hughes brother. If something, it has been extra about timing. And with what the Canucks have performed this season, might that point be now? Hughes, who is taken into account to be the front-runner for the Norris Trophy, has the Canucks heading down the trail of going from a franchise that missed the playoffs final season to 1 that would have an extended postseason run this yr. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 34 G | 55 A | 89 PTS
Preseason rank: 16
Again in 2019-20, Pettersson used his maiden playoff voyage to complete with seven targets and 18 factors in 17 video games. It created the idea that the Canucks certainly have the type of postseason performer who might assist them attain new heights. Now that the Canucks are again within the playoffs, there is a feeling that Pettersson might as soon as once more pose a giant downside to opponents. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 17 G | 56 A | 73 PTS
Preseason rank: 13
Fox is a beacon of consistency on the Rangers’ blue line. New York can rely on him to hold its protection, as he has all season, by something from accidents to position modifications. Fox reveals up when it issues most. He has a penchant for scoring game-winning targets (5), quarterbacks the Rangers’ prime energy play with ease, and does all of the small issues nicely — from blocking pictures to creating takeaways — that New York will want for a profitable playoff stint. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 36 G | 53 A | 89 PTS
Preseason rank: 22
Aho had the very best common season of his profession and appears sharper than ever heading into the playoffs. Carolina’s top-line skater is a drive with and with out the puck, able to producing as a lot house for himself as he’s setting the desk for a teammate. He is scored an eye-popping 10 game-winners this season — a testomony to how, when the Hurricanes want a star to step up, it is ceaselessly Aho answering the bell. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 9 G | 45 A | 54 PTS
Preseason rank: 29
Meet one of many greatest the explanation why the Stars are in Cup competition, and may very well be for years to come back. All the things Heiskanen achieved final postseason defined why he is considered as among the best defensemen within the NHL. His common ice time per recreation was the identical size as an episode of “Abbott Elementary,” all whereas enjoying in each single state of affairs from 5-on-5 sequences to the facility play to the penalty kill. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 35-13-2 | 2.44 GAA | .918 SV%
Preseason rank: 80
Demko is coming off among the best common seasons of his profession. That success has translated into the Canucks being one of many NHL’s finest groups heading into the playoffs. Now it’s a matter of seeing if Demko, who’s again after lacking 14 video games with a knee harm, can take the Canucks on a long term. — Clark
2023-24 stats: 47 G | 63 A | 110 PTS
Preseason rank: 10
Pastrnak has been head and shoulders above his Bruins’ teammates in scoring manufacturing this season. That is hardly something new for Boston’s prime ahead. Pastrnak could be a magician with the puck on his stick, and has elite playmaking skill that units him aside yr after yr. The Bruins will likely be relying on Pastrnak’s consistency — at 5-on-5 and on the facility play — to jot down a greater ending on this postseason and show the staff’s doubters improper. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 23 G | 57 A | 80 PTS
Preseason rank: 15
Barkov does all of it — and does all of it nicely — for the Panthers. He might not have garnered the identical consideration as linemate Sam Reinhart this season, nevertheless it’s been Barkov — one of many league’s premier two-way skaters — by Reinhart’s aspect feeding him pucks to gasoline that 50-plus purpose effort. Barkov excels in nearly each space, from driving play up entrance to being an integral piece of Florida’s energy play and penalty kill. With Barkov of their arsenal, Florida can create matchup nightmares within the postseason that in the end push a sequence of their favor. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 36-17-4 | 2.37 GAA | .915 SV%
Preseason rank: 97
Bobrovsky flipped his proverbial change again to “elite” in final season’s playoffs — and hasn’t seemed again. The 2-time Vezina Trophy winner constructed on his earlier success with a gentle, assured marketing campaign that noticed Florida by any bumps within the highway. The Panthers will rally round Bobrovsky when the playoffs start and for good cause: Bobrovsky has put the work in to beat earlier struggles to be enjoying at his peak proper now. That is a scary thought for the opposition, and a pleasant actuality for Florida to embrace. — Shilton
2023-24 stats: 23 G | 62 A | 85 PTS
Preseason rank: 27
2023-24 stats: 13 G | 63 A | 76 PTS
Preseason rank: 18
2023-24 stats: 12 G | 35 A | 47 PTS
Preseason rank: 25
2023-24 stats: 29 G | 51 A | 80 PTS
Preseason rank: 12
2023-24 stats: 30 G | 47 A | 77 PTS
Preseason rank: 71
2023-24 stats: 29 G | 38 A | 67 PTS
Preseason rank: 35
2023-24 stats: 36-17-2 | 2.58 GAA | .913 SV%
Preseason rank: 28
2023-24 stats: 13 G | 34 A | 47 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2023-24 stats: 37 G | 66 A | 103 PTS
Preseason rank: 95
2023-24 stats: 30-20-2 | 2.90 GAA | .900 SV%
Preseason rank: 57
2023-24 stats: 30 G | 35 A | 65 PTS
Preseason rank: 36
2023-24 stats: 34 G | 27 A | 61 PTS
Preseason rank: 69
2023-24 stats: 40 G | 39 A | 79 PTS
Preseason rank: 33
2023-24 stats: 45 G | 44 A | 89 PTS
Preseason rank: 24
2023-24 stats: 42 G | 27 A | 69 PTS
Preseason rank: 59
2023-24 stats: 12 G | 37 A | 49 PTS
Preseason rank: 75
2023-24 stats: 34-14-4 | 2.76 GAA | .904 SV%
Preseason rank: 34
2023-24 stats: 4 G | 14 A | 18 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2023-24 stats: 7 G | 51 A | 58 PTS
Preseason rank: 96
2023-24 stats: 30 G | 37 A | 67 PTS
Preseason rank: 9
2023-24 stats: 54 G | 23 A | 77 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2023-24 stats: 39 G | 36 A | 75 PTS
Preseason rank: HM
2023-24 stats: 48 G | 46 A | 94 PTS
Preseason rank: 50
2023-24 stats: 40 G | 58 A | 98 PTS
Preseason rank: 40
2023-24 stats: 27 G | 58 A | 85 PTS
Preseason rank: 20
2023-24 stats: 23 G | 57 A | 60 PTS
Preseason rank: 91
2023-24 stats: 6 G | 31 A | 37 PTS
Preseason rank: 79
2023-24 stats: 18 G | 63 A | 81 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2023-24 stats: 25-10-8 | 2.53 GAA | .916 SV%
Preseason rank: NR
2023-24 stats: 16 G | 37 A | 53 PTS
Preseason rank: 38
Honorable mentions
Mika Zibanejad, F, New York Rangers
Mark Scheifele, F, Winnipeg Jets
Brandon Montour, D, Florida Panthers
Carter Verhaeghe, F, Florida Panthers
Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers
Brock Boeser, F, Vancouver Canucks
Jacob Trouba, D, New York Rangers
Hampus Lindholm, D, Boston Bruins
Matt Duchene, F, Dallas Stars
Joe Pavelski, F, Dallas Stars