Emily Kaplan of ESPN takes a look at some of the NHL teams and their playoff chances.

She ranks them in tiers...

Tier 2: Sneaky chance

Columbus Blue Jackets
Buffalo Sabres
Minnesota Wild
Philadelphia Flyers
Edmonton Oilers

Here's where things get interesting. These teams have some components of playoff teams. For the Oilers and Sabres, they have elite superstars (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Jack Eichel) literally dragging their less-talented teammates to wins. Both teams are similar: they need goaltending to hold up to have any chance and they also might need to acquire scoring help at the deadline.

The Flyers and Blue Jackets have been hampered by injuries. But there are enough veteran players and ascending talent on both rosters to grind out wins when it matters down the stretch. If either team gets in, they might play spoiler to higher-seeded teams and have young goaltenders -- Joonas Korpisalo, when he's healthy again, and Carter Hart -- who can get just as hot as Jordan Binnington did last spring.

As for the Wild? They're staying afloat in the competitive Central Division and have made up significant ground after a horrid start. If they can close out the regular season with a playoff spot, they could make noise considering the veteran talent on this roster.

more tiers plus other notes from the past week in hockey...