Top Picks to Make or Miss 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Give the Devils Their Due

Injuries and bad luck can be the biggest factors when assessing which teams could miss the playoffs in 2022-23. Vegas Golden Knights looked like a sure thing to reach the 2021-22 postseason, but a series of injuries to key players made the hill too steep to climb. Teams trying to make the jump into the playoff should be younger with a core ready to take the next step and have decent underlying numbers.

The New Jersey Devils finished with 63 points in 2021-22, 37 points out of a playoff spot. New York ranked 18th in five-on-five score-and-venue-adjusted shot attempt percentage and 15th on expected goals percentage.

Bruce Boudreau took over behind the Canucks' bench in 2021-22. Vancouver finished five points out of a playoff spot. The team's defense needs to improve, but the team has plenty of talent at forward.

The Blue Jackets finished 19 points out of a playoff spot last season. Johnny Gaudreau is coming off a 115-point season and he's signed with Patrick Laine.

The Capitals have reached the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons. Washington's main players are all in their 30s. Nicklas Backstrom is out indefinitely and Tom Wilson is recovering from a torn ACL.

Blues recorded 109 points in 2021-22. They ranked 20th in five-on-five score-and-venue-adjustedshot-attempt percentage and 19th on expected goals percentage. Ville Hussoto left the team and is now a free agent. The team needs to rely on Jordan Binnington in goal.

The Wild finished second in the Central Division in 2021-22 with 113 points. Kevin Fiala was traded and Cam Talbot moved. The team ranked 11th in five-on-five score-and-venue-adjusted shot-attempt percentage and sixth in expected goals percentage.

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