March is approaching quickly, and most NHL teams have about 20 games remaining to determine their playoff fates. The playoff bubble is tightening and the bubble teams have just a few days before the Feb. 29 trade deadline to make any adjustments they deem necessary to compete—if they even choose to go in that direction.
For the purposes of this slideshow, the bubble teams include some wild-card slots and the teams closest to challenging them in the standings. They all have their strengths and flaws. Some are trending up and challenging, and others are dropping further away from the playoff pace.
Poor goaltending and team defense or a lack of scoring punch is keeping some of these squads from more prosperous spots in the standings. Key injuries may hold them back, or sudden sell-offs at the deadline could contribute to their fates.
Here is a look at 10 NHL playoff bubble teams, ranked in order of least to most likely to finish among the top eight in their respective conferences.
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Article written by Steve Macfarlane