With the playoff matchups set and the countdown to the playoffs officially underway, we’re ranking all 16 playoff teams by position. Up first, we'll rank the forward groups. Note that the Corsi stats are courtesy of ExtraSkater.com, while the other stats are courtesy of NHL.com.
20-goal scorers: 5
5-on-5 goals for/against per game: 1.53
Corsi For percentage (CF%) (5-on-5, score close): 55 percent
The Bruins finished the season with two of the three most productive lines in hockey, with the Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Jarome Iginla line scoring more goals than any in the NHL, with a total of 55 when the players were on the ice together (per leftwinglock.com). And the amazing part was that it took time for Iginla to get completely comfortable.
“It did take us a while. I shouldn’t say us, it took me a while,” Iginla said. “Looch and Krejci have been consistent, had a good start. Mine was a little slower as far as getting results.”
Not too far behind was the trio of Reilly Smith, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. If you can put Loui Eriksson on your third line, you’re loaded at forward, and the Bruins definitely are. Claude Julien’s ability to confidently roll all four lines is a huge postseason advantage for the Bruins.
20-goal scorers: 5
5-on-5 goals for/against: 1.27
CF% (5-on-5, score close): 55.7 percent
This is predicated on Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane returning to the playoffs healthy and productive. When everyone is out there, the Blackhawks are loaded. Toews and Marian Hossa are as good as they come in terms of two-way forward play.
Patrick Sharp had one of the best seasons of his career. And you know guys like Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell will score big goals at some point in this postseason.
20-goal scorers: 7
5-on-5 goals for/against: 0.96
CF% (5-on-5, score close): 49.2 percent
There’s definitely concern with the Flyers' goaltending and defense heading into the postseason, but you have to love their forward depth.