Taking a look at the NHL's Sweet 16 with April Madness approaching

This being the time of year for seeds and rankings and such, here is the way I’d rank the Sweet 16 in the NHL right now.
1) St. Louis – No team is better right now but we still have a month until the playoffs. They do seem to have that look in their eyes, and this season could be their time.
2) N.Y. Rangers – The Rangers have had the best chemistry from day one. Things have been getting out of whack lately but goalie Henrik Lundqvist cures a lot of ills.
3) Pittsburgh – They could be peaking at the right time and getting key personnel back (some Crosby guy), too.
4) Vancouver – The Canucks don’t look very interested now but I bet they will be come playoff time.
5) Boston – Another team that doesn’t seem motivated all the time. But the Stanley Cup champs have an elite goalie (Flint’s Tim Thomas) and a deep, deep team.
6) Philadelphia – Crippled by the injuries this season but the Flyers persevere. It’s impressive where they are in the standings despite all the ailments.
7) Nashville – The trade acquisitions have been good additions so far. Whether they can win four rounds in the playoffs is the question.
8) Detroit – The Red Wings have to get healthy and get their mojo back. They’re very beatable right now, nobody fears them.
9) Dallas – On the other hand, the Stars rarely lose. But, really, how good are they?
10) Chicago – Another good team that’s been hit with key injuries at the wrong time of the season.
11) New Jersey – The Devils are good but not as good as those Devils Stanley Cup teams of years past.
12) Phoenix – A few weeks ago, the Coyotes were the Stars. But they’re not as good right now.
13) Florida – I’m still not a believer. But the Panthers leading the Southeast Division shows how average that division is.
14) Ottawa – What a job Paul MacLean has done coaching this group. No one felt the Senators would be this good at this point of the season.
15) Calgary – The Flames are contending with much of their minor league team playing on varsity these days.
16) Washington – These certainly aren’t the Capitals of the past few seasons.