NHL Playoff Predictions: Every Team's Chances for Making the Playoffs

With around 25 games left in the regular season for many teams, it is time to think Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It is going to be a dogfight to the end as teams vie for eight postseason spots in each division.

In this piece, I will tell you if your club has a chance at the playoffs and where they will be seeded at the end of the regular season.

There are three projections: out of playoffs, bubble (a team on the bubble and, at best, they will be a late seed) or contender (the team is jockeying for a top seed).

Enjoy.

Eastern Conference

Don't expect the top seeds in the East to falter again this season.

While there is a lot of talent in this division, getting the home crowd behind your team in the postseason could be the difference between advancing to the next round or an early exit.

15. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 06: Head coach Jacques Lemaire of the New Jersey Devils instructs his players during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Prudential Center on January 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Flyers defeated the Devils 4-2. (Ph

Projected: out of playoffs

The New Jersey faithful have to be happy with Jacques Lemaire and the hot streak his team is riding.

The Devils may be able to recover the franchise after this fiasco earlier than expected, but they will not make the postseason this year.

14. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 05: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates off the ice after fighting during an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at Nassau Coliseum on February 5, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty

Projected: out of playoffs; may be worst team in East

The Islanders are in trouble. They have averaged a league-low attendance of 9,778 (60.0 percent) for this season.

Long Island must build a new arena or risk losing their team.

Their four Stanley Cups are most among expansion franchises, and most likely, someone will come in to save the franchise.

Years from now, we will probably join the Penguins and Blackhawks as moribund franchises that turned things around, but it must happen sooner than later.

13. Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 02: Ottawa Senators fans show their discontent with Dany Heatley #15 of the San Jose Sharks in his first game against his old team at Scotiabank Place on December 2, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Gett

Projected: out of playoffs

Last year, the Senators were able to get by without superstar Dany Heatley.

They made the playoffs and were eliminated in the first round by the Penguins.

However, the franchise is now feeling the loss of his presence and is in a giant rut.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Thrashers 5-4. (Photo by Claus Ander

Projected: out of playoffs

The Leafs are only eight points out of the playoff barrier but have a negative 26-point differential and have shown no indication that they will get hot and finish the season in the playoffs.

This team is far too talented to be in this position.

11. Florida Panthers

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TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 1: Stephen Weiss #9, Evgeni Dadonov #63 and Dmitry Kulikov #7 of the Florida Panthers celebrate goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during game action at the Air Canada Centre February 1, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Ph

Projected: out of playoffs

The Panthers' negative two-point differential speaks to the team's defensive effort.

However, the Cats would need to generate more offense on a consistent basis in order to make a bona fide playoff push this season.

10. Atlanta Thrashers

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TORONTO, CAN - FEBRUARY 7: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers celebrates his goal with teammates Rich Peverley #47, Zach Bogosian #4, and Andrew Ladd #16 in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 7, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in

Projected: bubble

The Thrashers are a talented young team that plays well offensively.

They started the year strong, but with no trace of home-ice advantage in Atlanta and a permeable defense, this team will be left out of the playoffs.

This franchise is headed in the right direction. Time will tell if their dormant fanbase will respond.

9. Buffalo Sabres

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 04: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on February 4, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated Buffalo 3-2. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Ge

Projected: bubble

This will pain fans in Buffalo.

After winning their division last season, the Sabres will not make the playoffs this season.

Their push is too little, too late.

This team will fall short and fans in Western New York can only hope management will open their wallets in the offseason.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 19: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Projected: bubble

The Hurricanes will do just enough at the end of the season to bring playoff hockey to Raleigh.

Although this franchise has typically done well with a late seed, don't expect too much from the 'Canes this year.

This team is young and probably will be overwhelmed with their first-round matchup.

However, postseason exposure will be good for their young superstars like Jeff Skinner, Jamie McBain and Brandon Sutter.

7. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 12: Hal Gill #75 gets down to block a shot in front of Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on January 12, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pengu

Projected: bubble

This may be a bubble team, but the Habs should feel pretty secure as a playoff team.

They will not win their division, but Montreal certainly can do damage in the postseason as a late seed with their defense—as they displayed last year.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 28: Evgeni Malkin #71 and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins line up for a face-off against the Atlanta Thrashers at Consol Energy Center on December 28, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Thr

Projection: contender

No Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin may curtail a once-promising season for the Pens.

Crosby is projected to return for the end of the season, but Malkin is reportedly out for six months.

Unfortunately, the Penguins, who could win their division when healthy, will not hold on to their No. 4 spot in the East.

They should not worry about missing the playoffs, but Pittsburgh's season may come to an end earlier than expected.

5. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 19: Steve Eminger #44 of the New York Rangers and Marian Gaborik #10 celebrate Gaborik's hat trick goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Im

Projection: contender

A year after missing the playoffs, the Rangers are in position to contend in the East.

They are currently 10 points behind Pittsburgh, but with a late-season push, could pass Pittsburgh in the Atlantic.

New York has a chance to make a playoff run this year.

4. Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 06: Alex Ovechkin #8 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals rough it up with Matt Cooke #24 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on February 6, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Projected: contender

The Caps will relinquish their division title for the first time in four years.

Getting the four or five seed will be crucial for Washington—a team that will not want to matchup with a division winner this season—unless it is Tampa Bay.

Expect this team to get out of the first round this season.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 25: Steven Stamkos #91 and Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning look on against the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Pete Times Forum on January 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Projected: contender

In the offseason, Tampa Bay will need to spend money to fortify their porous defense.

Presently, the team plays an exciting style of hockey and is scoring enough to win on a regular basis but is not build to navigate through the playoffs.

A later seed with a good defense is more than capable of sending the Bolts home.

The team is certainly entering a new era, but I don't see it starting with another Stanley Cup Championship.

2. Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 13: Gregory Campbell #11 of the Boston Bruins is congratulated by teammates Zdeno Chara #33 and Patrice Bergeron #37 after Campbell scored an empty net goal in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 13, 2011 at th

Projected: contender

Boston underachieved most of this season but currently are showing that they can play outstanding hockey.

Their plus-42 goal differential is one shy of the East-leading Flyers.

This team will have a good shot at sipping from Lord Stanley's mug this year.

1. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Image

Projection: contender

The Flyers should run away with the Atlantic while Pittsburgh rehabilitates.

This team—the class of the East—has a legitimate chance to return to the Finals again this year.

Western Conference

The bottom five seeds in the West are up for grabs this year.

Vancouver will win their division, but the Central and Pacific are up for grabs.

A division win will be critical because nothing is certain in the wild, wild West.

15. Edmonton Oilers

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TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 2: Ryan Whitney #6, Taylor Hall #4 and Jordan Eberle #14 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate goal during game action against the New Jersey Devils at the Air Canada Centre December 2, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abe

Projected: out of playoffs

With young stars like Taylor Hall, Linus Omark and Jordan Eberle, the Oilers have a great future ahead of them.

Unfortunately, this team is the only club in the West that has no chance at a playoff berth this season.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

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COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 14: Rick Nash #61 of the Columbus Blue Jackets high fives fans after warming up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Red Wings on January 14, 2011 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty I

Projection: out of playoffs

I know they are four points out of a playoff spot currently, but the Jackets have a minus-19 point differential, which is worst among Western teams not located in Edmonton (minus-47).

Without much of a home crowd or proven talent (with the exception of Rick Nash, of course), this team will struggle to win crucial games down the stretch.

The will not have a chance to win the first playoff game in franchise history this season.

13. Calgary Flames

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CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames celebrates with Olli Jokinen #13 following Olli's goal against the Ottawa Senators in second period action at Scotiabank Saddledome February 9, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo

Projection: out of playoffs

Don't be fooled, the Flames are a facade.

Although they are tied for the eight seed with 61 points, Calgary is not a playoff contender.

This franchise is experiencing turmoil, and I don't see this team being this year's Coyotes.

12. St. Louis Blues

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 8: David Backes #42 of the St Louis Blues is congratulated after scoring a goal in the second period to tie the game against the Florida Panthers on February 8, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Au

Projection: bubble

The Blues have a great young core and are well supported.

Unfortunately, this team cannot find the necessary gumption to make a serious playoff push this season.

I have listed them as a bubble team, as they are only five points out of a playoff spot, but their season will end after 82 this year unless they really come alive in their next few games.

11. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Shane Doan #19 and Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes talk during the NHL game against the Nashville Predators at Jobing.com Arena on January 18, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Predators defeated the Coyotes 5-2. (Photo

Projection: bubble

Yes, the Coyotes made the playoffs last year. Yes, the Coyotes are currently the No. 6 seed. Yes, they have a positive point differential.

But, no, this team will not have another chance at the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

The NHL is committed to keeping a franchise in the desert, but currently, there is limited support for this club, and the team does not have the support to win crucial home games late in the year.

10. Anaheim Ducks

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 20: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks shoots during warmup before game action at the Air Canada Centre against the Toronto Maple Leafs January 20, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Projection: bubble

Ducks' aficionados fans will tell you that their team is currently the No. 6 seed in the West, and their team has been overlooked all year.

The rest of the league will tell people in Anaheim to support their team.

An empty arena will not favor the Ducks down the stretch. and like the Coyotes, without the roar of the crowd, this team is at a disadvantage in crucial games down the stretch.

9. Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER - DECEMBER 27: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his third period goal with Milan Hejduk #23, John-Michael Liles #4 and Kevin Shattenkirk #8 in front of the fans against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center on December 27,

Projected: bubble

All season, the young Avalanche looked like a playoff team.

However, the Avs, who play in a city that has become accustomed to a contender after their team won a Stanley Cup the year the former Quebec Nordiques arrived in Denver, have not received significant support since their abysmal 2008 season.

In a playoff race that will be measured by inches, this team will come up short.

This team has a bright future, and fans should return sooner than later.

8. Minnesota Wild

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 06: Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild is congratulated by teammates Cal Clutterbuck #22 and Brent Burns #8 after Koivu scored the empty net goal against the Boston Bruins on January 6, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusett

Projected: bubble

Wild fans became fed up with their team in the post-Gaborik era but will respond if the Wild can hold down the eight seed.

This team is not prepared to make a Cinderella run, but hockey enthusiasts in Minnesota will appreciate having the Stanley Cup Playoffs in St. Paul once again.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

Dale MacMillan/Getty Images

CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 7: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Black Hawks celebrates with Jonathon Toews #19 and Brent Seakbrooke #7 in second period action against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome February 7, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Projected: bubble

Fear not Chicago, your team will make the playoffs.

The Hawks have a plus-18 goal differential and enough pieces left over to contend in the playoffs.

With young superstars and a boisterous arena, the defending champs are certainly a dangerous late seed.

6. Los Angeles Kings

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 26: (L-R)Drew Doughty #8, Ryan Smyth #94, Kyle Clifford #13 and Alec Martinez #53 and goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate after defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in shootout overtime at Staples Cente

Projected: bubble

Like the Blackhawks, the Kings will not be left out of the playoff picture and will be a dangerous late seed.

They have a plus-21 goal differential and belong in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

5. Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 09: Left wing Steve Ott #29 celebrates his goal with Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars during play against the Phoenix Coyotes at American Airlines Center on February 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

Projected: contender

The Stars' youth is being exposed late in the season.

Although they have held the Pacific all season long, limited support and inexperience will cost this team the division.

This team will be around for the postseason but expect an early exit for Dallas.

Like the situation in Colorado, this arena should fill up next season.

4. Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 15: Patric Hornqvist #27 and Nick Spaling #13 of the Nashville Predators congratulate teammate Pekka Rinne #35 on defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in a shootout on January 15, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Projected: contender

The Predators have taken the next step and no longer sits on the Western Conference bubble.

This team has been well supported all season long (93.0 percent attendance) and is becoming a must-see event in Nashville.

Increased support will merit extra points late in the season and financial security in the future.

3. San Jose Sharks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 20: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in NHL action on January 20, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty

Projected: contender

The Pacific Division belongs to the Sharks.

Dallas has played well all season long, but San Jose has returned to form in time and will enter the postseason with momentum on their side.

After a major slump, this team is rolling and ready to avenge their Western Conference Finals gaffe last season.

2. Detroit Red Wings

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 02: Henrik Zetterberg #40;Johan Franzen #93;Todd Bertuzzi #44;Brian Rafalski #28 and Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrate a goal against the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on February 2, 2011 in Otta

Projected: contender

Nashville will give them a scare, but Detroit will remain atop the Central this season.

The aged Wings are always prepared to win and will be a force come playoff time.

1. Vancouver Canucks

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Mikael Samuelsson #26 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with Henrik Sedin #33 and Daniel Sedin #22 after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in NHL action on February 04, 2011 at Rogers Arena i

Projected: contender

Vancouver will be the team to beat come playoff time.

This team has no weakness. They are my pick to win the President's Trophy.

However, their points may be inflated because the Northwest is having a down year and will need to avoid suffering the fate of the Capitals and Sharks in the previous two years.