This is my second article predicting the final 2022-23 NHL standings. Who's in, who's not. Obviously, I have no fear of sticking my neck out, as my Daily Fantasy plays have taught me that the safe options rarely pay. The first article, teams #16 – #9, is here. These are my playoff teams, each with a fantasy "sleeper" to consider.

8.   New York Islanders. Mostly expected to contend in 2021-22, but fell off the rails. Ilya Sorokin may have to carry these guys unless the offense wakes up. Sleeper pick: Mathew Barzal. The 2018 Calder Trophy winner has never been the same since, only has 0.8 points/game. But this is a contract year.  

7.   Detroit Red Wings. Remember that part about sticking my neck out? Steve Yzerman makes brilliant moves, and Dylan Larkin flirts with 100 points and a Hart nomination (but not quite). Sleeper:  Andrew Copp. Second line center is the perfect position for him, he's back home to Michigan, and he will flourish.

6.   Tampa Bay Lightning. Eventually the grind of three Cup Final runs has to catch up. They're not as deep this year. But they only care about May and June. Sleeper: Nick Paul. Given an injury in the top-6, he gets the opportunity and excels. 

5.   Florida Panthers. Losing both Mackenzie Weegar and Ben Chiarot (and two-way Claude Giroux) makes this run-and-gun team vulnerable. Sleeper:  Rudolfs Balcers. The Panthers' style fits him well, and he may exceed 50 points. 

4.   Pittsburgh Penguins. Why did I pick this "old" team, but not Washington or Boston??   Depth. NINE NHL-ready defensemen, and they can withstand a star's injury (even Sidney Crosby's) and fill in. Sleeper:  Jason Zucker. Disappointing in 2 ½ season with the Pens, but the 30-year-old winger is healthy coming into – yes, a contract year.   

3.   Carolina Hurricanes.   I badly wanted to rank them lower, but their MVP is still Rod Brind'Amour, who will have his team ready for every game. "Team" concept works. Sleeper:   I had several guys here, but chose Jaccob Slavin. The 28-year-old can take over first power-play position from 38-year-old Brett Burns. His 42 points in 2021-22 were a career high, expect more this year.  

2.   Toronto Maple Leafs.   If (HUGE IF) either of Matt Murray of Ilya Samsonov can be consistent, they're a solid Cup contender.   If not, Kyle Dubas will trade assets to find another netminder.   Another year without a playoff round won, and Auston Matthews may test UFA.   Sleeper: Do it.  Draft Matt Murray. "Good enough" is all they need. And Murray has won in the playoffs, which the Leafs haven't done since 2003. 

1     New York Rangers. The perfect storm of stars in their prime (Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and "C" Jacob Trouba), stars on the rise (Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, Igor Shesterkin), and a young and gifted D-corps (K'Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, …). Add to this their playoff experience from last year. They're ready. Sleeper:  Vincent Trocheck. And you might notice I've not even mentioned Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil…. Loaded.   

As I also write daily fantasy picks once the season starts, I've added some (bold?) odds for each team to make the 8-team playoff field, and then to win the Stanley Cup.  

NY Islanders:  60%.   Cup odds  <1%

Detroit:  52% (confident, aren't I?)  Cup <1%

Tampa Bay:  80%   Cup 5%

Florida:  80%   Cup 5%

Pittsburgh:  80%   Cup 5%

Carolina:  90%   Cup 5%

Toronto:  95%    Cup 10%

NY Rangers:  99%   Cup 20%