HC20.0 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 So, the regular season is winding down now, and the greatest playoff race I've ever seen is only just heating up. Teams are battling hard in BOTH conferences to try and lock up the last spot. This is by far the tightest a playoff race has been in years. The thing that's most interesting about it though is that, two heavy weight favourites at the start of the year, LA and Boston, have a very good chance of missing the playoffs. The Cup champs and the big bad B's. Chicago, the other favourite, is still doing good, but have lost their leading scorer and have dropped in the standings. San Jose and Colorado, two lethal teams last year, are both very likely to miss the post season this season. Provided Boston and LA do actually miss the playoffs, are there actually leading contenders this year for the Stanley Cup? In previous years, you always knew who'd advance, and who'd get bumped in the first round. There was the odd upset, but this year, I think every team has a legitimate shot at the Stanley cup. In the East: Montreal: Price is working wonders for them, but they are offensively challenged. Play strong D, and the Canadiens can easily be bumped. Price is the biggest challenge by far. Rangers: The have possibly the best goaltending duo in the league, as well as a filthy defense. However, offensively, aside from Nash, they struggle. Shut down Nash and the top line, and it becomes a goaltending dual. Tampa Bay: Amazing offense, backed by average goaltending. Bishop was sensational last year, but has been average-above average this season. Islanders: Very good D core, mediocre goaltending and offense. Tavares is carrying his team. Pittsburgh: Playing very good defensively, but struggling offensively. Also, Fleury and the playoffs recently haven't gotten along. Washington: Has received very good goaltending this season, but are very much a one line team, like the 07 Ottawa Senators. Detroit: Has been pretty decent offensively, but has struggled in both defending and goaltending. Boston: Their offense has vanished. Tuuka Rask and Svedburg are carrying the team. Ottawa: Out of nowhere, some guy by the name of Hammond has pulled off the biggest sports miracle since the 2011 Cardinals and pulled Ottawa into a tie for last place in the east. The West: Anaheim: Great team all around, but there is a big question mark in goal with Anderson between the pipes. St. Louis: Possibly the most well rounded team of the lot. Have had good offense, and good defense. Elliott has been good too. Nashville: Amazing D, amazing goaltending, but average offense. Chicago: All around great team with amazing goaltending, but lost Kane to injury, which is a huge blow to an average offensive team. Minnesota: Wasn't even in a playoff spot until Devan Dubnyk appeared out of nowhere and single handedly turned their ship around. Vancouver: Over achieved at the beginning of the year, but are still playing well. Defense is by the far the biggest concern, but Eddie Lack emerged out of nowhere to right the ship. Winnipeg: Has had above average goaltending coupled with great D, especially from big Buff. Very streaky team though, and like Vancouver, has average offense. Calgary: Maybe the most surprising team of them all. They've been lead by good offense, and a Norris caliber D before he was injured. Defense otherwise and goaltending are mediocre though. LA: Very, very good Defensively, but have fallen hard this season, and have heavily struggled heavily offensively. All in all, I wouldn't say there aren't any clear favourites. There isn't a big point gap between first and 8th in either conference. I think this year could be the most exciting playoffs the NHL's had in years. It'll be a true battle to the end. Either way, I'm pretty pumped for the end of this season. Anything can happen, and it is one hell of a playoff race down the stretch! Also fun fact, the only reason why the Queens are in 9th is because of 14 loser points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magician Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Rangers/Lightning vs Ducks/Blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 no favorites this year, which will make for a very interesting playoffs. it's gonna be wide open, anyone can win it, and a lot of big names will be gone in the first round thanks to the new format. it's gonna be great, and it's a year like this that an underdog or unexpected team can win it all for the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magician Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 no favorites this year, which will make for a very interesting playoffs. it's gonna be wide open, anyone can win it, and a lot of big names will be gone in the first round thanks to the new format. it's gonna be great, and it's a year like this that an underdog or unexpected team can win it all for the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 there's always a chance if you make it, it's just bigger this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AriGold Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 If I had to pick a winner right now I would select the Rangers. A fresh Lundqvist is a scary thought going into the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I'd say Vancouver has a pretty good chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronalds.Kenins41 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Rangers, Islanders, Lightning, Capitals vs Nashville, Ducks, Blues, Blackhawks, Kings Reason I left Montreal out is cause if Price gets hurt like he did last year, they have no chance. If he stays healthy their scoring still needs to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 East: NYR/ TBL West: ANA/ STL IMO. Dark horses: MIN, LA, OTT, WAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 no favorites this year, which will make for a very interesting playoffs. it's gonna be wide open, anyone can win it, and a lot of big names will be gone in the first round thanks to the new format. it's gonna be great, and it's a year like this that an underdog or unexpected team can win it all for the first time. He summed it up nicely. This could be the most interesting playoffs to watch in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Grimes Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 East: Tampa Bay, New York R, Washington West: Anaheim, St. Louis, Nashville, Dark Horses: Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Minnesota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Day Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Rangers v Canucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Rangers Anyone v Canucks Fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Fixed. Fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Nope. Honestly this is the first time in a log time I can say every team has just a good shot at winning as the other teams in the dance. Neck and neck and there's no clear cut favourite(s) really. As wide open of a playoffs as ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustapha Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I have no faith in the St. Louis Blues. They have looked good during the regular season before, but when the intensity ramps up, they seem to wilt. Also, Brian Elliott has to be the most overrated goaltender on the planet. Sure, his numbers look good on paper, but when you watch him play, he's nothing more than hot garbage (Wild lit him up for 4 goals on 16 shots Saturday) Chicago looks strong, but if you want a real underdog sleeper, I would go with Minnesota. They have had consistent goaltending, a true #1 defenseman in Ryan Suter and a cast of talented young forwards that is now bolstered with Chris Stewart. I really like Minny's chances, especially if they are playing the Blues and that sieve Elliott in the first round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Not anymore.. it's pretty wide open especially if LA doesn't even make the playoffs We might have a half decent chance to upset and go WCF and even the SCF the way we've played the top teams... Also this may be the year an Eastern conference team wins the Cup Maybe ANA in the West (but I'm not convinced by their goaltending) and MTL in the East (but I'm not convinced by their centers - particularly DD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I mean, we haven't had an underdog/unexpected team go on a run in a while, and I really think this year it can happen. Like I'm saying if LA and San Jose both miss the playoffs then it's anyones game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfetch Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I mean, we haven't had an underdog/unexpected team go on a run in a while, and I really think this year it can happen. Like I'm saying if LA and San Jose both miss the playoffs then it's anyones game. How long do you consider "a while"? LA did it less than 3 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on the cycle Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I've picked St. Louis the last 2 years and was my pick this year. I'm probably entirely wrong but maybe 3rd times a charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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