The NHL's Top 5 Most Underrated Teams

The NHL has about 25 games left on the schedule for each team and coming up on the playoff push there will be some teams that are overlooked.

Some of these teams have been coasting along all season under the radar and could prove to be deadly come playoff time.

Here are some of the most underrated teams in the game.

Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Goalie Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche lays on the ice as Steve Sullivan #26 of the Nashville Predators celebrates the go ahead goal on February 12, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by

Even though the Predators have never won a playoff series and have gotten only one road playoff win in their history, they still are a solid team, currently holding the 5th seed in the West.

The Predators have not gotten much praise for their somewhat surprising season and have gone undetected since January.

Also, with the new pickup of former Senators' forward Mike Fisher, they will help their low scoring offense out to help their stellar defense. Look for Nashville to maybe go deep in this years playoffs.

Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Left wing Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Stars were a team that was supposed to be one of the basement teams in the West all year. They have been anything but this year.

The Stars are currently 3rd in the Western Conference, while being top of their tight Pacific division. People did give the Stars credit at the beginning of the season, but many were saying it will not last, which is completely possible.

They could be looking to make a deal at the deadline, whether it is a small cap hit or dealing someone like, star forward Brad Richards.

The fact of the matter is the Stars have many people from previous playoff runs and that adds experience to the roster and they could raise some eye brows come April.

Carolina Hurricanes

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 13: Erik Cole #26 and goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after their 3-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on February 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Cole scored the game-winning goal in the

The Hurricanes have had a rocky start to their season, but they are coming around as of late.

The Hurricanes have many people still on the roster from their Stanley Cup run in 2006, which can be huge in making a playoff push in Carolina. Also, with All-Star goalie Cam Ward and All-Star team captain Eric Staal, they will not go quietly.

I do realize the Hurricanes are very inconsistent with their play, but that comes mostly on the blue line.

The Hurricanes are 23rd in the league for Goals Against Average which could hurt them in the push. Also a minus-7 goal differential is nothing to write home about.

If the Hurricanes want to make a run at this they may have to be active at the deadline to get someone to help with the struggling defense. You can not count them out though as they are known to make some deep playoff runs even without great teams. 

Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 09: Derek Roy #9,Chris Butler #34, Thomas Vanek #26 and Mike Weber #6 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Vanek's goal in the second period against the San Jose Sharks at HSBC Arena on December 9, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by

The Sabres are a team that won the respected Northeast division last season, but got dropped by the Boston Bruins in an early playoff exit. The team has been out of the top eight in the East all year now and seems like most people have given up on the team. 

Even though they are 10th in the Eastern Conference right now, they are still only four points out of the eighth and final playoff spot and have games in hand against the Hurricanes and Thrashers.

I am not sure if the Sabres will be active at the deadline or not but one thing is sure: They need to tighten up defensively.

A minus-1 goal differential has hurt them all year and letting the Islanders steal two points from you—and to them seven on the scoreboard—is nothing to be proud of. 

Minnesota Wild

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ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 11: Jose Theodore #60 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates a victory against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on February 11, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Wild won 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Im

The Wild were a team at the beginning of the year that played like everyone expected them too.

Now they currently hold the 8th and final spot in the West from great all-around play by the team.

The Wild are not a high scoring team, only netting 146 goals this season. However, their defense has played extremely well, only letting 145 behind them.

It also doesn't hurt to have Backstrom between the pipes. The Wild can hold onto a playoff spot if they continue to play well defensively and might be able to stir up the playoffs if they can win close games.