The NHL trade deadline might not have been quite as crazy as some expected -- especially with Erik Karlsson staying put -- but there were a handful of trades that could change the shape of the Eastern Conference playoff race, and also determine which club ends up with the best shot at the top pick in the draft.
Let's have a look at how the East shakes out as we head down the final stretch of the season, and be sure to check out the Western Conference reset as well.
Stanley Cup contenders
These teams are the most likely to represent the East in the Stanley Cup Final.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Key stat: Plus-57 goal differential, No. 1 in the NHL
Tampa Bay was already a top Cup contender before the trade deadline, and then it made the biggest splash in the trade market by acquiring defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller from the Rangers. McDonagh immediately gives the Lightning the East's best defense corps, led by superstar Victor Hedman. Don't overlook Miller, who has 13 goals and 27 assists this season, making three straight seasons of 40-plus points.
As long as stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov stay healthy and skilled young goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy remains at the top of his game with a .927 save percentage and 62.7 percent quality start percentage, the Lightning will be tough to top.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Key stat: 34.7 shots on goal per 60 minutes at even strength, second in the Eastern Conference
Since the calendar turned to 2018, the Penguins have gone 17-6-1 and posted three separate four-game winning streaks. They sit three points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division, but the Pens have the division's top goal differential and their offensive attack at even strength is raining shots on opponents' goaltenders. With the addition of Derick Brassard, Pittsburgh has the center depth to make a run at a three-peat.
The only major question is goaltending. Pittsburgh is dead last in even-strength save percentage.
Boston Bruins
Key stat: No. 1 in even-strength goals for percentage
The B's went all-in on their pursuit for a Stanley Cup by acquiring Rick Nash from the Rangers. With the growth of young players like top-pair defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forwards Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk, Boston isn't relying solely on Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara these days; that's good, because Bergeron is going to miss a couple of weeks due to a foot injury.
With Nash adding even more skill to the top-six forward group and goalie Tuukka Rask playing his best hockey since 2014-15, the Bruins are on track for a deep playoff run.
So you're tellin' me there's a chance
These teams won't be one of the top contenders heading into the playoffs, but have a shot at making Nashville Predators-style runs to the Final if a few things go their way.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Key stat: No. 2 in goals scored per 60 minutes at even strength
While the Leafs didn't make a huge move at the deadline, they still belong in the Cup conversation. Center Auston Matthews is establishing himself as the type of player who can carry a team deep into the postseason. With Matthews on the ice, the Leafs have outscored opponents 54-25 at even strength. There is reason to be concerned, however, about Toronto's defensive play. They are allowing the fifth-most shot attempts against per 60 minutes. Since the Leafs didn't make an upgrade on the blue line, they deserve some skepticism.
Washington Capitals
Key stat: Fifth in power-play percentage at 21.7 percent
Someday Alex Ovechkin will stop being the league's best goal scorer -- but that day is not today. The Caps have continued to ride his Hart Trophy-caliber season to the top of the division, but Washington has some serious question marks. Goalie Braden Holtby is only sporting a .908 save percentage, so Barry Trotz has turned more often to his backup Philipp Grubauer. Washington is also 23rd in Corsi for percentage and 21st in high-danger shot attempts (per Natural Stat Trick). Relying on power-play success is not often a model for a Cup run.
Philadelphia Flyers
Key stat: When Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux have been on ice together, Flyers are outscoring opponents 50-27
Philadelphia does not have a dominant team from top to bottom, but when its top line is on the ice few teams can match it. Couturier and Giroux have a 55.8 percent Corsi for percentage in 833 minutes together. Overall, the Flyers are at 49.5 in Corsi for percentage. They might be one year away from being a Cup favorite, but having a dominant top line will give Philly a shot.
Bubble watch
Where does the race for the two wild cards stand? Here are the teams that remain in the mix.
New Jersey Devils
Key stat: Patrick Maroon 53.9 goals for percentage when away from Connor McDavid
The Devils did an impressive job of buying at the trade deadline without sacrificing their future. Maroon has put up solid numbers in part because he is playing with McDavid, but he's proven to be more than just a sidecar. As the league's No. 19 team in Corsi for percentage and No. 17 team in even-strength goals for percentage, the Devils will struggle to make noise in the postseason, but Maroon could help them get in for the first time since 2011-12.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Key stat: No. 1 in the East in shots on goal per 60
Columbus has the potential to be dangerous. With two of the best defensemen in the NHL in Seth Jones and Zach Werenski and budding scorers Oliver Bjorkstrand and Pierre-Luc Dubois, they could sneak up on some teams and pull off a playoff upset. That's if they get in. If John Tortorella's 30th-ranked power play doesn't catch fire soon -- deadline addition Thomas Vanek should help there, in theory -- there's a chance his very good team could be watching from home.
New York Islanders
Key stat: Fourth in even-strength goals, second in even-strength goals against per 60
If for no other reason than potential entertainment value, everyone should be rooting for the Islanders to make the playoffs. They are a dynamic and scary offensive team, but give up a high number of odd-man rushes that result in goals against. Adding Brandon Davidson and Chris Wagner won't change much about that. Defense and goaltending usually does help a great deal in the playoffs, so it's hard to expect much more than one or two rounds out of the Isles if they get in -- but those would be fun rounds!
Carolina Hurricanes
Key stat: 29th in even-strength save percentage
This season has been Groundhog's Day for the Hurricanes. They are the No. 1 team in shot-attempt differential, but ranked 28th in goals per 60 minutes and have struggled in net. Cam Ward is once again being asked to carry a much heavier load than he should at 33 years old. As losers of their past six, it appears Carolina's chances at ending its playoff drought are fading.
Florida Panthers
Key stat: 64 goals between Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck
The top-heavy Cats were spinning their wheels for most of the season but have caught fire lately, winning eight of 11 games since the start of February. Goalie Roberto Luongo has won four of five starts since returning between the pipes. With impressive top scorers and a hot goalie, the Panthers could sneak up on the East, but it would take a long stretch of strong play. We haven't seen that from Florida this season.
Fahlin' for Dahlin
With generational defenseman prospect Rasmus Dahlin available in the 2018 draft, some teams would be better off maximizing their chances of winning the draft lottery as opposed to eking out a few more wins this season.
Buffalo Sabres
Key stat: 41.2 even-strength goals for percentage, worst in the NHL
With Jack Eichel hurt and Evander Kane dealt to San Jose, the Sabres should sink, but they appear to be battling hard for rookie coach Phil Housley. Buffalo has won three of its past four, including a win over the mighty Lightning. If Eichel returns to action, the Sabres might clear the Senators, who have lost five in a row.
Detroit Red Wings
Key stat: 26th in scoring chances generated (per Natural Stat Trick)
While the Red Wings were unable to move Mike Green at the deadline, they made the right deal for winger Tomas Tatar, who they traded to Vegas for a first- (2018), second- (2019) and third-round (2021) pick. By moving Tatar and goalie Petr Mrazek, Detroit is taking its first steps toward a rebuild rather than going all-in to make another run at the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators
Key stat: 219 goals allowed, second worst in the East
Erik Karlsson is sticking around for now, but Ottawa has to be demoralized by a season of turmoil. While the Sens rode strong goaltending and a defensive style deep into the playoffs last spring, this season has been a struggle in every area, as they rank 24th in goals scored and 30th in goals allowed.
Montreal Canadiens
Key stat: Carey Price's .904 save percentage
The Habs might have stuck around in the race if they had received a classic Price season. This time around, one of the world's best goalies struggled, and the 29th-ranked scoring team didn't offer him much support. After he battled through injuries this season, the Canadiens should consider shutting Price down for the duration and getting a fresh start next fall.
New York Rangers
Key stat: 46 goals traded away between Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller
Sitting 14 points out of dead last in the NHL, the Rangers won't be reaching the very bottom of the league after selling off everything that wasn't nailed down, but dealing away three top scorers will certainly help them increase their chances of getting the No. 1 pick. As we saw last year, anything can happen when it comes to a lottery.