The NHL Playoffs can be two of the most unpredictable months in sports. Any team still playing in mid-April has a legitimate shot at taking home the Stanley Cup - just as the 2012 Los Angeles Kings.
To be a contender, all a team needs to do is make the playoffs. Here are five teams on the playoff bubble that oculd be incredibly dangerous if they make it to the postseason.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been battling injuries and inconsistencies all season, but nearly made a run at the Stanley Cup last season after almost missing the playoffs. This year's team is still more talented all around than last year's, and it has shown signs that it can hang with anyone.
Detroit has been great away from home but has had serious issues winning games at Joe Louis Arena. If the Wings can turn things around at The Joe, get healthy and make the playoffs, nobody will want to face them in the spring.
New York Rangers
Like Detroit, the Rangers have been uncharacteristically bad at home and good on the road.
One of the team's main issues has been the play of superstar goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has looked like a completely different man between the pipes this year. He has, however, shown improvement over the past week and can help turn the team around if he can keep it up. Any team with a great goalie can be dangerous come playoff time, and arguably no goalie on the planet is better than Lundqvist when he is at his best.
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite a terrible 2013 and a bad start to 2013-14, the Flyers have turned things around and look like they are on course to make the playoffs this spring.
While Philadelphia knocked off a talented Pittsburgh Penguins team in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, goaltending turned out to be its downfall in the second round against the New Jersey Devils. The offense is not as explosive now as it was in 2012; however, the goaltending has been a strength as Steve Mason has established himself as a legitimate starter.
Phoenix Coyotes
The Coyotes started off the season well but have now stumbled out of a playoff spot. They are talented enough to return to the level they were playing at in October and November and could definitely be able to snag a wild card spot in the Western Conference if the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild continue to struggle.
We all saw how dangerous this team can be in 2012, as it knocked off the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators en route to its first ever Western Conference Finals appearance. The Desert Dogs have enough depth on the roster to pull off another similar and improbable run this year should they qualify for the postseason.
Vancouver Canucks
John Tortorella's Canucks have been a pleasant surprise so far this season and could certainly spell trouble for anyone who meets them in the playoffs.
Roberto Luongo has played well without a goaltending controversy surrounding him this season and the rest of the team has been able to keep up with the other strong teams in the Pacific Division.