Breakouts: 2009 NHL Playoffs

The 2009 NHL Playoffs are quickly approaching. The seedings have started being solidified, and certain matchups are looking more and more likely.

As the race for the final few slots draws to a close, the first look at the two-and-a-half-month marathon kicks off.

Top Five Breakout Teams

Typically, the teams which do well in the postseason are the teams who put it together at the end of the regular season. Winning the Stanley Cup isn't always about being the best team, more so being the best team at the right time.

The following teams have put their noses to the grindstone and look to make deep runs into May, perhaps even June.

5. Vancouver Canucks (Last 10 games: 6-3-1)

The Canucks have simply dominated the past two months, winning 20 of their past 26 games behind stellar play from Roberto Luongo, who had seemed all but figured out this year.

Since a rocky start in October and November, Luongo has returned to his usual form just in time for the playoffs.

Also, Mats Sundin meshed well with his fellow Swedes the Sedin twins to light the scoreboard (in learning a new offence and playing a new conference in just 36 games this year, he's put up 25 solidly earned points). The Canucks are a good, solid team hitting their stride at the right time.

Their biggest problem is seeding. If they make it past a young and talented Chicago team (who, if the season ended today, they'd play first round), they'd likely be matched up against San Jose or Detroit in the second round.

In the postseason, the Canucks will only go as far as Roberto Luongo will take them.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Last 10 games: 6-1-3)

Since firing Michel Therrien in mid-February, the Penguins have notched 33 points in 40 games and propelled themselves from the outside looking in to being this close to clinching the sixth playoff seed in the East.

Interim coach Dan Bylsma has rejuvenated the team, and though Marc-Andre Fleury has been one of, if not the most hot-and-cold goalies in the league, he's managed to beat the Flames, the Rangers, and the Devils in three of his last four starts.

It also helps, as a netminder, to look up and see two of the NHL's top three scorers answering every goal you allow. Evgeni Malkin has played at an MVP-calibre level all year, and Crosby has matched his performance almost step-for-step.

Pittsburgh's deep run last year poses only one question: Will their offensive talent and newly acquired playoff experience be enough to shake inconsistent goaltending?

3. Anaheim Ducks (Last 10 games: 9-1-0)

Compiling win streaks of four and five in their last 10 games, the Ducks' biggest concern is that they have yet to complete the first task in winning playoff games: make the playoffs.

Though they can boast an impressive March record, Anaheim has yet to clinch a playoff spot, and their recent runs have only put them two points ahead of ninth-place St. Louis.

To even hope to mirror the successes of the 2007 season, the Ducks have to keep up the pace, for even if they finish the regular season strong, they're looking Calgary, Detroit, or San Jose right in the face.

However, if anyone in the West can slow those three offences, Scott Niedermeyer and Chris Pronger can.

2. Boston Bruins (Last 10 games: 8-1-1)

Yeah, yeah, Boston's been winning games all year, but that includes now. This isn't a team that will clinch the Eastern Conference and put things in cruise control.

Hard-nosed Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas love to win, simply put. They love winning, and they're good at it.

There is nary a team scarier than the red-hot Boston Bruins right now, and Montreal or New York better have an answer for Phil Kessel.

1. Carolina Hurricanes (Last 10 games: 8-1-1)

Don't look now, but the Hurricanes have won eight straight, and a franchise-best 11 straight at home. In doing so, they've stopped the phenomenal Malkin, out-roughed the pugnacious Sean Avery, and halted the "Great" Alexander Ovechkin.

The dogged Rod Brind'Amour leads a dedicated and hard-working squad in Raleigh. Clinching a playoff spot Saturday night against the Penguins will not get to his (or anyone's) head. This team wants to win.

Acquiring Erik Cole is looking to be the best move Jim Rutherford has made since landing Ray Whitney (who, at 36, leads the team with 71 points).

Eric Staal has turned it on since struggling in the first months of the season, and Cole's addition has a lot to do with it. Even when they can't get their offence clicking, Carolina can rely on goaltender Cam Ward to stand on his head when needed.

Stat to remember: Since March, Carolina has lost one game in regulation. Another fact: in February 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl. Four months later, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.