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The four categories of NHL playoff teams

Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Capitals appear to be the favorites to come out of the East, perhaps squaring off with Duncan Keith and the Blackhawks from the West. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Coming out of the 2016 NHL trade deadline, who has the inside track on the Stanley Cup?

Despite moves by the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals appear unstoppable in the East.

In the West, the addition of Andrew Ladd to an already stacked Chicago Blackhawks lineup almost seems unfair, but can they fend off the white-hot Anaheim Ducks, not to mention the Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Kings?

An analysis of each team's underlying numbers can be used to divide all potential playoff teams into the following four categories: Favorites, top contenders, dark horses and also-rans.