The Most Dangerous Sleeper Teams in Projected 2016 NHL Playoff Picture

Upsets in the Stanley Cup playoffs aren't uncommon, as lower-seeded teams at times knock off more heavily favored opponent. In the opening round of the 2015 postseason, the wild-card seed Minnesota Wild (pictured above) upset the higher-ranked St. Louis Blues. The Wild could again prove to be a dangerous sleeper team in this year's projected playoffs. 

Various factors can make a low-seeded club a serious threat to unseat a favored opponent. A team such as the Wild can get hot over the remaining weeks of the regular season. Some, such as the Boston Bruins, carry considerable depth in experienced talent. Others, such as the Nashville Predators, could be motivated to overcome years of playoff disappointment.

The following slideshow examines the most dangerous sleeper teams in the projected 2016 NHL playoff picture. You can weigh in with your opinion in the comments section below. 

Detroit Red Wings

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Shaky goaltending and inconsistent play by the Detroit Red Wings resulted in only six wins in 14 games throughout March. They remain locked in a close battle with the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins for postseason contention. Should they secure a berth, the Wings have the potential to be a sleeper team.

With each of the Wings' remaining regular-season games a must-win event, they're already in a postseason mindset. They possess experienced leadership in defenseman Niklas Kronwall, forwards Pavel Datsyuk, Brad Richards and captain Henrik Zetterberg. Forwards Dylan Larkin, Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist have the skills to create offensive havoc. 

The Red Wings' 25th consecutive playoff appearance is no guarantee. If they get in, however, they possess sufficient talent to be a difficult first-round opponent.

Boston Bruins

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

It's been an up-and-down season for the Boston Bruins. As per Drop Your Gloves, as recently as March 8, they were challenging the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division. They subsequently dropped seven of their next nine games, leaving them clinging to one of the last playoff berths in the Eastern Conference.

However, the Bruins' experienced depth could make them a significant sleeper candidate. Defenseman and captain Zdeno Chara, goaltender Tuukka Rask and forwards Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Brad Marchand were part of their 2011 Stanley Cup championship roster. They're also among this seasons's highest-scoring clubs (2.84 goals-per-game average). That firepower gives them a fighting chance. 

While their once-dominant roster has been depleted in recent years, the Bruins have what it takes to pull off an upset or two. It would be foolhardy of their first-round opponents to take them lightly.

San Jose Sharks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Having missed the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, the San Jose Sharks have clinched a berth this season. While they have a reputation as postseason underachievers, they could be a serious threat to any first-round opponent this time around.

Long-time Sharks veterans such as Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski will try to lead their team on a deeper run this season. The addition of James Reimer before the recent trade deadline bolstered their goaltending. They added character players last summer via free agency in right wing Joel Ward and defenseman Paul Martin. 

The Sharks will undoubtedly try to atone for their first-round collapse in the 2014 playoffs. They'll have extra motivation if their opening-round opponent is the Los Angeles Kings, the club responsible for upsetting them two years ago.

Nashville Predators

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Throughout the history of the Nashville Predators, they've never advanced beyond the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That could make it easy for potential first-round opponents to discount them as a serious threat. Doing so, however, could be a serious mistake.

Unlike last season, the Predators avoided a stretch-drive swoon with a record of 8-5-2 in March. The addition of Ryan Johansen in a midseason trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets gave them a true first-line center. Starting goalie Pekka Rinne's overcome his poor first-half performance, while their blue-line corps (led by team captain Shea Weber) remains among the league's best (conceding the fewest shots per game, 27.3).

The desire to overcome their history of playoff underachievement could also prove a crucial weapon for the Predators. Throwing off years of disappointment could significantly bolster their confidence. That could make the Predators a deadly sleeper team in the upcoming postseason.

Philadelphia Flyers

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

After struggling through the opening two months of this season, the Philadelphia Flyers slowly but steadily improved. As the playoffs approach, they're in a tight battle with the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Their late surge is very much a team effort.

They're getting solid goaltending from Steve Mason, while forwards Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and captain Claude Giroux are coming through with timely offense. Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is providing invaluable blue-line production. On March 28, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Sam Carchidi praised the efforts of fourth-line forwards Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Chris VandeVelde and Ryan White.

Over the course of the season, the Flyers adjusted to the system of first-year head coach Dave Hakstol. They're a better team than they were when the season began. As the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals discovered in a March 30 shootout loss, the Flyers could be a tough playoff opponent.

Minnesota Wild

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

It's become an annual rite of spring for the Minnesota Wild to reach the playoffs with a strong performance down the stretch. Their improvement this time around was as a result of a coaching change. On Feb. 14, John Torchetti (above) replaced Mike Yeo following a season-threatening eight-game losing skid. 

Since then, the Wild have won 15 of their 23 games. Three of those victories came against defending Stanley Cup champion the Chicago Blackhawks. Torchetti's reduced the playing time of struggling forwards Thomas Vanek and Jason Zucker, relying heavily on team leaders such as Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. 

Thanks to the coaching change, the Wild appear poised to capture the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference. Their potential first-round opponent (either the Dallas Stars or St. Louis Blues) should be wary. The Wild are getting hot at the right time. 

Standings info, player and teams stats via NHL.com.