Welcome to the 14th and final edition of theScore's 2018-19 regular season NHL Power Rankings. Below, we assess how each team wrapped up their recent campaigns.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4)

What a run for the Lightning, who matched an NHL record with 62 wins. They're the runaway favorites to win the Stanley Cup for good reason, but the health of blue-line stalwart Victor Hedman is imperative for the club's title aspirations.

Previously: 1st

2. Calgary Flames (50-25-7) ▲

The Flames improved 23 points in the standings this season and earned home ice throughout the Western Conference playoffs. It's unclear who will start Game 1 in goal for Calgary but the good news is both Mike Smith and David Rittich were capable of winning games down the stretch.

Previously: 3rd

3. Boston Bruins (49-24-9) ▲

From Jan. 1 onward, the Bruins went 28-10-5 while ranking sixth in goals for (148) and seventh in goals against (109). They face a daunting Atlantic Division draw again this spring, but Boston is a legitimate Cup threat.

Previously: 5th

4. Washington Capitals (48-26-8)

The title defense is officially on for the Capitals, who pulled away from the pack in the Metropolitan and earned their fourth consecutive division title.

Previously: 4th

5. Nashville Predators (47-29-6) ▲

The Central Division crown was ripe for the taking throughout March and April, and the seasoned Predators won seven of their last 10 games to capture it. Now, Nashville has home ice and gets an easier opponent in Round 1 to get its playoff run started.

Previously: 13th

6. New York Islanders (48-27-7) ▲

The Islanders shattered expectations to finish fifth in the entire league, and it will be fascinating to see if head coach Barry Trotz can get his troops to make some noise in the playoffs - perhaps enough to set up a second-round match up with his former Capitals squad.

Previously: 11th

7. St. Louis Blues (45-28-9) ▲

St. Louis was tied for 29th place at Christmas. It ended up missing the division title by a single point. Watch out for the Blues.

Previously: 16th

8. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-28-8) ▼

An inconsistent Frederik Andersen and a swath of injuries led to some shaky play from the Maple Leafs to close out the regular season. Still, the 2018-19 campaign was about playoff progress from the get-go, and Toronto earned its chance at redemption versus the Bruins.

Previously:6th

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (44-26-12)

Not to say seeding doesn't matter, but for a team as experienced as the Penguins, full health is more important than first-round opponents. It goes without saying that Pittsburgh getting Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang back into the lineup prior to the playoffs makes this club as dangerous as any.

Previously: 9th

10. Carolina Hurricanes (46-29-7) ▼

The Hurricanes' playoff push enthralled the hockey world, and it's safe to say the hype train will go off the rails if Carolina puts a scare into, or beats the Capitals. Let's see what this bunch of jerks can do.

Previously: 8th

11. San Jose Sharks (46-27-9) ▼

The Sharks stumbled into the playoffs with a 3-8-1 record in their last 12 games to claim their lowest spot on our power rankings since Dec. 10. The team's biggest question mark all season has been between the pipes with Martin Jones. The netminder is coming off his worst season but does boast a stellar playoff resume.

Previously: 2nd

12. Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5) ▼

The Jets also dragged their way into the postseason, but injuries were certainly a contributing factor - specifically on the blue line. Dustin Byfuglien, who skated in just 42 contests this season, returned for a five-game tuneup before the playoffs. Meanwhile, Josh Morrissey hasn't played since Feb. 24 and his status for Game 1 is uncertain.

Previously: 10th

13. Columbus Blue Jackets (47-31-4) ▲

The Blue Jackets won seven of their final eight games to punch their postseason ticket. Sergei Bobrovsky was spectacular down the stretch, going 10-3 with a .946 save percentage and four shutouts. He'll need to be just as sharp in the playoffs for Columbus to upset Tampa Bay.

Previously: 15th

14. Vegas Golden Knights (43-32-7) ▼

The Golden Knights mustered together just one win in their last eight games to cap the worst season in franchise history. Marc-Andre Fleury was absent for most of those contests, though. He returned for the last two games after missing nearly a month, but is that enough to get ready for a playoff run?

Previously: 7th

15. Dallas Stars (43-32-7) ▼

The Stars squeaked into the playoffs despite owning the third-worst offense in the entire league. Simply put, Ben Bishop's brilliance will have to continue for Dallas to stand a chance.

Previously: 14th

16. Colorado Avalanche (38-30-14) ▲

In addition to a well-earned playoff berth, Colorado could net the first overall pick courtesy of the Senators' incompetence. The Avs' top-end talent makes them a dangerous team to face, but a lack of scoring depth could lead to an early exit.

Previously: 23rd

17. Montreal Canadiens (44-30-8) ▲

The Canadiens were simply in the wrong conference. They finished with more points than the Stars, Golden Knights, and Avalanche, but won't be heading to the postseason. Nonetheless, this season should be viewed as a positive, as many projected them as a lottery team in October.

Previously: 18th

18. Arizona Coyotes (39-35-8) ▼

If the league handed out a team award for perseverance, the Coyotes would be this year's winners. Arizona suffered an unimaginable amount of injuries but remained in the thick of the playoff hunt until the final few games. However, it's clear this team needs an injection of offense if it wants to take the next step.

Previously: 12th

19. Florida Panthers (36-32-14)

The Panthers could be in for a busy offseason. They've already hired Joel Quenneville as their next head coach and have been linked to pending free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. With plenty of high-end talent already on the roster, a couple of key additions could finally get Florida over the hump.

Previously: 19th

20. Minnesota Wild (37-36-9)

Paul Fenton's first year as Wild general manager didn't go as planned. Their six-year postseason streak was snapped, and the midseason Nino Niederreiter-for-Victor Rask trade looks horrendous. More moves are surely on the way in Minny.

Previously: 20th

21. Chicago Blackhawks (36-34-12)

The Blackhawks will obviously be disappointed to have missed the playoffs, but they should take some solace in how well they played down the stretch to vault back into the hunt. Despite some lingering issues, Chicago should enter next season with a positive outlook.

Previously: 21st

22. Vancouver Canucks (35-36-11) ▲

Speaking of an encouraging outlook, the Canucks certainly have one despite how their season concluded. Vancouver gave prized defensive prospect Quinn Hughes a handful of games before wrapping things up, and the club has reason for optimism going forward with Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser anchoring a promising core.

Previously: 25th

23. Detroit Red Wings (32-40-10) ▲

Winning seven out of 10 is a nice way to end the regular season, but the Red Wings' roster still has plenty of holes heading into 2019-20.

Previously: 31st

24. Philadelphia Flyers (37-37-8) ▼

Despite Carter Hart's emergence, this season was unquestionably a failure for the Flyers, who learned they'll need more than the talented, young goaltender and two good lines to become a truly competitive club again.

Previously: 17th

25. Edmonton Oilers (35-38-9) ▼

Connor McDavid's frustration boiled over a bit down the stretch, and then he got hurt in the Oilers' regular-season finale. Needless to say, he and the rest of the club would clearly like to put this campaign behind them.

Previously: 22nd

26. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10)

The lesson for the Anaheim this season is that John Gibson needs a lot more help. The Ducks have to improve the NHL's worst offense and get better at limiting shots and scoring chances. They're unlikely to do that if they continue to be one of the league's oldest teams.

Previously: 26th

27. New York Rangers (32-36-14)

Alexandar Georgiev has proven capable of being the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist whenever King Henrik decides to call it a career, but it's going to be a while before the Rangers are real contenders again.

Previously: 27th

28. Buffalo Sabres (33-39-10) ▼

A second-half nosedive doomed Phil Housley, as the now-former Sabres head coach got the ax Sunday. Buffalo clearly has plenty of room to grow, but expectations will always be high with Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin in the fold. Jeff Skinner still needs a new contract, too.

Previously: 24th

29. New Jersey Devils (31-41-10) ▼

Getting Taylor Hall signed long term will be priority No. 1 for the Devils this summer. New Jersey will also have a shot at a very high pick in the upcoming draft, so general manager Ray Shero has an important offseason ahead.

Previously: 28th

30. Los Angeles Kings (31-42-9) ▼

The Kings will have the second-best odds at winning the first overall pick, but not even Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko can fix Los Angeles' problems on their own.

Previously: 29th

31. Ottawa Senators (29-47-6) ▼

A nightmare of a season on and off the ice is finally, mercifully over for the Senators, but hey, at least they have the lottery to look forward to. Oh, wait ...

Previously: 30th

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The Florida Panthers got their man.

The club announced the hiring of three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville as head coach Monday morning.

Quenneville's resume is second to none among active coaches - he trails only Scotty Bowman on the NHL's all-time wins list - and he'll be paid accordingly. He'll earn $5.25 million per season with bonuses that could hit $7 million over five years, a source told The Athletic's George Richards. That would potentially make Quenneville the league's highest-paid coach, as Toronto Maple Leafs boss Mike Babcock currently leads the way at around $6.25 million per season.

Meanwhile, Quenneville already has a working relationship with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, who hired him to coach the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2008-09 season.

While leading the team that Tallon built, Quenneville went on an unparalleled run of success in the Windy City, making the playoffs in nine straight years and winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

Tallon stated less than two weeks ago that Florida would "be aggressive this summer." Along with landing a future Hall of Fame coach, the Panthers have been linked to pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin. The latter played under Quenneville for two seasons in Chicago.

Each time Quenneville has been hired to coach a new team, he's made the playoffs in his first season. The Panthers have made just two postseason appearances in the last 18 years.

In Florida, Quenneville replaces Bob Boughner, who was relieved of his duties Sunday after a two-year stint behind the bench.

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Connor McDavid breathed a big sigh of relief when X-rays revealed he did not break his leg after crashing into the post on Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.

But in the moment, the Edmonton Oilers superstar feared the worst.

"I was just worried to stand up. I thought my leg was just going to give away," McDavid told reporters Sunday. "If I'm being completely honest, I thought my leg was in two pieces."

McDavid was upended by Mark Giordano after burning the Flames defenseman wide. He was skating over 25 mph prior to the trip.

McDavid did not think it was a dirty play by Giordano.

"You can't fault Giordano for trying to make a play on the puck," said McDavid, adding that blue-liner was very apologetic afterward.

When a reporter asked whether the injury would change the way he drives to the net in the future, McDavid responded emphatically.

"They pay me $100 million to play my game, part of my game is beating guys wide and going to the net," he said. "So I'll have to give my money back (to Oilers owner Daryl Katz) if I stop doing that, so I'm not doing that."

McDavid aired his disappointment in the Oilers' latest letdown after a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights officially eliminated them from playoff contention earlier in the week, and his sentiment remains the same.

"I'd be a complete loser if I wasn't frustrated," he said. "It's frustrating personally, it's frustrating as a group. We want to be in the playoffs, we want to be competing late in the season."

McDavid's comments in Vegas led some to believe he wants out of Edmonton, but the 22-year-old squashed that notion.

"I want to be here. If I didn't want to be here I wouldn't have signed an eight-year deal," he said.

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Connor McDavid breathed a big sigh of relief when X-rays revealed he did not break his leg after crashing into the post on Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.

But in the moment, the Edmonton Oilers superstar feared the worst.

"I was just worried to stand up. I thought my leg was just going to give away," McDavid told reporters Sunday. "If I'm being completely honest, I thought my leg was in two pieces."

McDavid was upended by Mark Giordano after burning the Flames defenseman wide. He was skating over 25 mph prior to the trip.

McDavid did not think it was a dirty play by Giordano.

"You can't fault Giordano for trying to make a play on the puck," said McDavid, adding that blue-liner was very apologetic afterward.

When a reporter asked whether the injury would change the way he drives to the net in the future, McDavid responded emphatically.

"They pay me $100 million to play my game, part of my game is beating guys wide and going to the net," he said. "So I'll have to give my money back (to Oilers owner Daryl Katz) if I stop doing that, so I'm not doing that."

McDavid aired his disappointment in the Oilers' latest letdown after a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights officially eliminated them from playoff contention earlier in the week, and his sentiment remains the same.

"I'd be a complete loser if I wasn't frustrated," he said. "It's frustrating personally, it's frustrating as a group. We want to be in the playoffs, we want to be competing late in the season."

McDavid's comments in Vegas led some to believe he wants out of Edmonton, but the 22-year-old squashed that notion.

"I want to be here. If I didn't want to be here I wouldn't have signed an eight-year deal," he said.

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The Los Angeles Kings have asked the Edmonton Oilers for permission to discuss their vacant head-coaching position with Todd McLellan, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.

The Oilers fired McLellan and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock in November. LeBrun reported at the time that McLellan is still under contract for the rest of this season and 2019-20 at $3 million per campaign.

The Kings aren't bringing back interim bench boss Willie Desjardins for next season. He took over after Los Angeles dismissed John Stevens a couple of weeks before Edmonton's move last fall.

McLellan spent parts of four seasons behind the Oilers' bench after seven with the San Jose Sharks, arguably the Kings' biggest rival.

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The Buffalo Sabres fired head coach Phil Housley on Sunday, the team announced.

Sabres general manager Jason Botterill took some responsibility following the move, telling reporters, including The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington, that it was his decision to dismiss Housley.

"We didn't put the proper roster out there," he added.

Botterill also pointed to "lapses defensively in our structure," a notable remark considering Housley is a legendary former blue-liner who's known as a defensive specialist.

Housley was hired following the 2016-17 season after a successful four-year stint as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators. He was unable to turn the Sabres around, though, failing to make the playoffs both seasons in Buffalo and compiling a record of 58-84-22.

After a successful month of November, which included a 10-game winning streak, the Sabres sat atop the NHL standings. However, from that point, Buffalo went 16-33-8 and failed to win in regulation during March.

The Sabres' next head coach will be the club's fifth bench boss since Lindy Ruff's 15-year run came to an end midway through the 2012-13 campaign.

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Los Angeles Kings interim head coach Willie Desjardins won't be back behind the bench next year, the team announced Sunday.

"Today we thanked Willie Desjardins for his effort and dedication while serving as our interim head coach," general manager Rob Blake said in a statement. "We wish Willie and his family nothing but the best going forward. The process for hiring our next head coach is underway and we look forward to conducting a thorough search for the right person to lead our team."

Desjardins took over for John Stevens just 14 games into the season and couldn't right the ship, compiling a 27-34-8 record. The Kings finished with both the second-worst offense and overall record in the NHL.

The former head coach was also publicly criticized by Ilya Kovalchuk after making the high-paid forward a healthy scratch.

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The Florida Panthers are moving quickly in their quest to replace Bob Boughner behind the bench and have reportedly received permission from the Chicago Blackhawks to speak to Joel Quenneville about the vacancy, a source told ESN's Greg Wyshynski.

The Panthers have offered Quenneville a multi-year deal worth more than $6 million per season with bonuses, Wyshynski added. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is the league's highest-paid coach at around $6.25 million annually.

The Panthers fired Boughner on Sunday after two seasons without making the playoffs, while Quenneville was let go in November after 11 seasons with the Blackhawks. He has one season remaining on his contract with Chicago at $6 million.

Quenneville has a long relationship with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, winning the Stanley Cup together with the Blackhawks in 2010. Tallon joined the Panthers' front office that same year, while Quenneville went on to win two more championships in Chicago.

In a statement, Tallon said the Panthers want a "transformative, experienced head coach with Stanley Cup pedigree," to right the ship in Florida.

Quenneville is by far the most experienced coach available on the open market with 22 years behind an NHL bench. He also ranks second all-time with 890 wins.

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