The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs start Wednesday night. The conference matchups are set. The first-round schedule is finalized. So let’s dive in and take a look at some favorites, underdogs and a couple of dark-horse teams:
The Favorites
Pittsburgh Penguins: Maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets will be a tough out in the first round because of their defense, but the Pens still start the postseason as favorites to at least contend for a repeat title. League-leading goal scorer Sidney Crosby should get help as the playoffs develop, and Pittsburgh has fast-paced, big-play ability.
Chicago Blackhawks: For their track record alone, they deserve at least as much respect as the Pens. If regular-season standings alone dictated who’s truly favored to win it all, the Washington Capitals would be a choice in this section. But even with their so-so regular-season finish, the Blackhawks have way too much star power and offensive balance to be overlooked as a favorite.
The Underdogs
New York Rangers: Can a team with 102 regular-season points be considered an underdog? Well, yes. Even with Henrik Lundqvist and a high-scoring offense, the Rangers come from the league’s toughest division and thus face a tougher road. That starts with the Montreal Canadiens, who have been rock solid vs. New York.
Edmonton Oilers: Like the Rangers, the Oilers aren’t too undervalued in the standings as a No. 2 seed, but since they were edged by the Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific and have the Ducks and Blackhawks potentially in their way, they’re not exactly shoo-ins for a title. But 100-point man Connor McDavid should help Edmonton give anyone a run for their money.
The Dark Horses
Calgary Flames: When the Flames were in the midst of their 10-game winning streak in the second half of the season, it was fun to think about them carrying that momentum into the playoffs. Now, it’s tough to envision them edging the Ducks in the first round. Still, they have lots of guys with double-digit goal totals and a knack for scrapping it out, so if they can beat Anaheim, look out.
Boston Bruins: One of the better puck-possession teams in the postseason, the Bruins certainly made up for their losing ways in March by emerging with a wild-card berth. Boston has postseason experience even if coach Bruce Cassidy, who went 18-8-1 after replacing Claude Julien, does not. And they stand as good a chance as anyone against the Ottawa Senators starting out. If Tuukka Rask keeps it up in the net, they can make a run.
