Grading Playoff Contenders and Their Injury Issues

As teams approach the 2024-25 NHL postseason, it's become clear injuries are affecting a few contenders

One key hurdle for NHL playoff teams is health. Injuries take their toll during the regular season, and the clubs that are relatively injury-free have a distinct advantage.

Some NHL clubs are not that lucky this season.

Looking at the most notable playoff contenders this year, we’re examining their respective injury situations and trying to determine how much of a problem it will really be. We’ll give a grade to their injury situation: A+, being the least affected by injuries and ready to go. F is that the team is in a horrifying spot.

The Washington Capitals: A

The Washington Capitals have been the NHL’s best team this season. They were the first club to lock in a playoff spot, and they lead the NHL standings (even if tied in points with the Winnipeg Jets). They are relatively healthy, which is a huge plus.

Ovechkin leading a fairly healthy Capitals team

Nicklas Backstrom is on LTIR but has been all season. T.J. Oshie is also out long-term, having played only 12 games this year. The Caps have figured out how to win without these players, and they should be fine doing so the rest of the way.

The Caps have all of their defensemen, and both goaltenders are good to go.

Winnipeg Jets: A+

The Jets are in an even better spot than the Capitals. They currently have no injuries to speak of, and their full roster of forwards and defensemen is available and healthy.

Nikolaj Ehlers is the closest thing to a concern for the Jets. He’s played in 61 of the team’s 70 games this season.

Dallas Stars: C+

The Stars were in decent shape until they lost Miro Heiskanen on the back end. He’s now on LTIR, and reports are that there is a "real possibility" the Stars will have to play a first-round series without their top defender. As good as the Stars are, if they meet someone like Colorado in the first round, they could be in trouble.

The fact the Stars are also without Nils Lundkvist and Tyler Seguin is not helpful.

Carolina Hurricanes: B+

Outside of Jesper Fast, the Hurricanes are relatively healthy. They did lose Mikko Rantanen in a trade, but they’ve been red hot since the deadline, going 9-1-0, and are winners of eight in a row.