How things look: The last 15 or so...

Fifteen games or so to go for most teams. It is becoming clouded. Mid-season saw a shortlist of dominant teams. Two have won five of the last six Cups. Chicago and Los Angeles. Washington was the other clear cut dominant team.

Sure Dallas had looked dominant - but they pulled up becoming just a .500 team.

Well, as this season winds down - there are a lot of teams proving their potential, adding to the mix that may well lift that Stanley Cup for 2016.

In the East.
Washington Capitals: You remove that Montreal loss a few weeks ago and this team looks as good as ever. Their losses of late owe more to a tough schedule than a glaring weakness. Dallas, Chicago, Florida and the Rangers are the only ones to get wins against this team since the All-star break. That is solid.
WHAT REMAINS: 17 games. 7 home 10 away. 11 are against current playoff teams. 2 vs ANA, STL, PIT. 1 vs LAK, SJS, NSH, COL, NYI.
A lot to be known for the Caps. To me this is the Caps best team ever - O to D.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa has nine wins in a row. And they should. It's all been against teams they need to beat. That said - they are also playing good hockey at both ends. You want to outshoot them, good luck. You want to play tight, they oblige that too. Tampa is looking like that team from last year.
WHAT REMAINS: 17 games. 8 home 9 away. 7 are current playoff teams. 2 vs NYI. 1 vs BOS, DAL, DET, FLA, NYR.
Really, the Lightning should finish strong and hold on to the top spot in the Atlantic. They are good. I am not sure they improved over last season. But really, the WEST is different and if one of those top teams gets upset, Tampa could lift the Cup vs San Jose or St Louis. I think Chicago wins in 6 again, if that is what happens.

New York Rangers: The Rangers have found that resilient play that got them wins in the beginning of the season. They aren't great at anything but they are solid at it all. They block shots. They give up shots but fight to contest them. The goalies are good...um Lundquist, Duh. And they help the goalies out just enough - limiting those easy goals mostly.
WHAT REMAINS: 16 games. 8 home 8 away. 11 are current playoff teams. 2 vs DET, PIT. 1 vs ANA, LAK, SJS, FLA, BOS, TBL, NYI
That is not an easy schedule. It will be difficult to hold on the two spot in the Metro division. On the other hand, lots will be learned in this final 5th of the season. Maybe, Staal and Nash can make this team too deep to keep out of the net. I am hopeful but not betting anything.

Florida Panthers: Injuries have kept this team inconsistent the entire season. If they can work in the new deadline trade talent and get in the playoffs playing together, they can be tough. Losing four of their last five to weaker teams is not good.
WHAT REMAINS: 17 games. 8 home 9 away. 6 are current playoff teams. 2 vs BOS. 1 vs NYR, NYI, TBL, DET.
Well, the schedule is not bad on paper. But it is full of teams they have been losing to of late. A lot to prove and a great schedule to prove it against.

New York Islanders: This team might be coming together at just the right time. They are deep. They have top tier offensive talent. The defense is a solid top four and not soft to play against. I would imagine John Tavares is hungry for a deep playoff run.
WHAT REMAINS: 19 games. 10 home 9 away. 11 are current playoff teams. 3 vs PIT 2 vs TBL 1 vs BOS, FLA, NSH, DAL, WSH, NYR.
I'm not sold on this team yet. But I do think they have enough depth. Can they score without giving up chances? That is what to watch for in the remaining 19.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins just won't go away. No one picked them to do much as they seemed to be rebuilding. But the core is carrying through. I am impressed.
WHAT REMAINS: 16 games. 6 home 10 away. 11 against current playoff teams. 2 vs FLA. 1 vs CHI, TBL, NYI, SJS, ANA, LAK, NYR, STL, DET.
This is no easy schedule to end the season. The Bruins should feel good if they come close to splitting this. If they steal more points, I will be impressed...again.

Pittsburgh Penguins: I keep waiting for the Pens to look dominant. But I think the defensive commitment is killing them. They can score but not without opening things up. That will be their death if they can't fix it.
WHAT REMAINS: 17 games. 7 home 10 away. 9 vs playoff teams. 3 vs NYI. 2 vs WSH, NYR. 1 vs DET, NSH.
The Pens can show a lot by how they finish the season out. I have too much respect for Crosby and Malkin to fully not believe in this team. That said. Defense is necessary. Lets see if they can do it.

Detroit Red Wings: Similar to the Bruins, but more rebuilding going on. The young guys are good but not good enough and the old guys are great but...OLD. The defense is committed and not easy - the system works - for years. However, if they don't do it right, they could slip out of the playoffs. Their cushion over the Flyers is scant 4 points with one fewer game remaining. The Flyers are impossible to predict.
WHAT REMAINS: 17 games. 8 home 9 away. 7 against current playoff teams. 2 vs NYR. 1 vs FLA, TBL, PIT, MIN, BOS.
I am not counting on this team finishing strong. That said..can the Flyers play consistent enough to take this spot? Hard to answer that.

Next up...the West.