1.       Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes went from completely out of playoff contention to ninth in the Eastern Conference and one point behind the Atlanta Thrashers.  With an All-Star Game in Carolina, Canes’ captain Eric Staal first selects his goaltender Cam Ward despite his so-so numbers, and Jeff Skinner later on.  Going into the second half of the season, look for the Hurricanes to come together as a team around NHL superstar and terrific leader Eric Staal as the centerpiece. With two games in hand over their Southeast Division mates, the Canes should overtake the reeling Thrashers and get into the playoffs.

2.       New York Rangers

Despite injury after injury, the Rangers have been a top team in the Eastern Conference.  Head Coach John Tortorella has not only inspired this team to compete against the best, but inspired Marian Gaborik to score four goals against Toronto after calling him out.  Seriously, Tortorella should be nominated for the Jack Adams Award for keeping this team playing with the workmanlike attitudes that they have sported every game despite sometimes being shorthanded.  With players such as Erik Christensen, Dan Girardi, and Vaclav Prospal returning to the lineup look for the Rangers to overtake the inconsistent Capitals for the fifth playoff seed behind goalie Henrik Lundqvist and rising star Brandon Dubinsky.

3.       Chicago Blackhawks

The NHL Playoffs will feel incomplete without the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.  The Blackhawks still have a powerful offense with Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane leading the way.  Also, Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa, and Dave Bolland should be poised to increase their production. Rookie goaltender Corey Crawford will very likely be a nominee for the Calder Trophy, posting a sixth best 2.19 GAA and a .919 save% in 28 appearances.  Right now the Hawks’ are barely holding onto the seventh seed, but look for them to grab a firm grasp of a playoff seed with nothing lower than the seventh place.

 4.       Los Angeles Kings

The Kings have had issues over the course of the season but the glue that arguably has been holding them in playoff contention is goaltender Jonathan Quick who has a third best 2.15 GAA.  The Kings are only one point away from the eighth spot and have plenty of playmaking scorers besides Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown including breakout player Justin Williams.  Look for the Kings to get into the playoffs with the seventh or sixth seed with defenseman Drew Doughty finally finding his scoring touch.

 5.       Calgary Flames

 The Flames went from the NHL doldrums and complete disarray to being two points away from a playoff spot while currently riding a four game winning streak including wins over Dallas and Vancouver.  Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has been playing better of as late after a slow start along with Alex Tanguay who is so far having a somewhat resurgent offensive season.  Jarome Iginla usually, as one will expect, is putting up star numbers after the All-Star Break with 22 goals and 25 assists for 47 points.  Look for the Flames to ride the surge and squeak into the playoffs, grabbing the eighth spot.