Ranking the Deepest Teams in the NHL as the 2015 Playoffs Approach

With the playoffs just around the corner, depth is at an all-time premium for NHL teams getting set for what they hope will be long runs.

That means a need for healthy bodies, balanced lineups and chemistry down the stretch. With a look at the forward ranks, defensive groups and the goaltenders for each of the top teams poised for the playoffs, we rank the deepest in the league at this point.

Click ahead to see who ranks No. 1, and feel free to weigh in below in the comments.

Stats via NHL.com.

Honorable Mentions

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Anaheim Ducks: Their trade-deadline moves made the back end one of the deepest in the NHL, but the forward group—in spite of the addition of Ryan Kesler—isn't as frightening as years past.

Boston Bruins: The team is underachieving this season but has enough firepower up front and reliability on the blue line to make some noise in the playoffs—especially if goalie Tuukka Rask steps up his game.

Los Angeles Kings: These guys have won the Stanley Cup in two of the last three NHL seasons, and the lineup hasn't changed all that much. The defense misses Slava Voynov, however, and some veteran forwards may be past their prime.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Lineup strengths: On top of having two of the game's elite players in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have plenty of other forwards with strong scoring skills. They should finish with eight players owning 15 or more goals.

Potential weaknesses: The defense is out two of its top players in Kris Letang and Christian Ehrhoff, who are both nursing concussions. They do not have a great number of puck-moving defensemen to fill that void and desperately need one or both of these guys healthy for the playoffs. They've been playing shorthanded because of cap issues late in the regular season.

6. St. Louis Blues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Lineup strengths: The Blues are extremely strong down the middle with centers David Backes, Paul Stastny, Jori Lehtera and Marcel Goc backed up by Olli Jokinen and Patrik Berglund as potential replacements should any of the regulars go down to injury. The team also looks great on the back end with Kevin Shattenkirk returning. Six Blues should finish with 15 or more goals and nine could hit 40 points.

Potential weaknesses: Depth on the wing is decent but has taken a couple of big hits with Alex Steen out and now Vladimir Tarasenko, the team's top scorer, nursing an injury. The team isn't as scary with Chris Porter and Jokinen in the top nine as a result.

5. New York Islanders

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Lineup strengths: The Islanders have one of the best players in the game in captain John Tavares, who makes anyone who plays alongside him a lethal weapon as well. The team should have as many as eight 15-goal scorers by the end of the year and could have seven with 40 or more points. The defensive group is strong and balanced.

Potential weaknesses: Although they've been among the top four teams in scoring this season, the forward combinations have gone through many different looks, relying heavily on Tavares to generate production for  the entire group.

Goaltending is also a question mark with Jaroslav Halak having a strong but not spectacular season and no playoff experience the past two years. His backup, Michal Neuvirth, didn't fare well with the Washington Capitals in his only postseason foray in 2011.

4. Nashville Predators

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Lineup strengths: The Predators defense is the most potent in the NHL, with a pair of 15-goal scorers in Shea Weber and Roman Josi and three more who should finish with at least 25 points. The contributions from the back end are a big reason the team has as many as eight players who will finish with 40 or more points.

Potential weaknesses: Despite the strength of the defensive group, the team is still a middle-of-the pack offensive group that also relies heavily on top forwards Filip Forsberg and Mike Ribeiro. The team may not be able to roll four lines with regularity in tight playoff contests.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Graig Abel/Getty Images

Lineup strengths: Teams aren't able to spread the scoring out the way the Lightning have this season. There are seven already with 15 goals and 11 players in double digits—with another two sitting at nine goals apiece. The team also appears set to have as many as nine players finish with 40 or more points. The balanced attack has seen them withstand a massive number of injuries, with six defensemen on the mend.

Potential weaknesses: The defensive group is stellar when it comes to the first couple of pairings but is weak at the fifth and sixth spots with Radko Gudas and Mattias Ohlund out for the year. The recent rash of injuries to the back end is a concern.

2. New York Rangers

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Lineup strengths: With all men healthy, the Rangers boast one of the best forward groups in the league. They should have eight players finish with 15 or more goals and seven with 40-plus points by season's end. The fourth line is capable of tight checking and providing energy, and the defensive group has a nice mix of offensive savvy and conscientious guarding. Cam Talbot has also proved to be one of the best backup goalies in the NHL.

Potential weaknesses: Many of those being relied on for secondary scoring are either rookies or guys known for streaky play who are having career years. If they take a step back in the postseason, the Rangers' scoring prowess will suffer.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Lineup strengths: The Blackhawks could have as many as nine players finish with 15 or more goals. That's a lot of depth up front when you consider not one of those is a defenseman. Duncan Keith is the lone blueliner among the eight who could finish the year with 40-plus points. 

Potential weaknesses: The absence of Patrick Kane is huge. The team picked up Antoine Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes at the trade deadline to help supplement the scoring, but he hasn't scored a goal in 13 games with the Hawks and has just three assists.