Can these two storied franchises sustain their hot starts and forge a titanic Stanley Cup showdown this coming June? Or will another team emerge down the stretch and wreck their title aspirations? Read on below as we break down the top contenders for this year’s Stanley Cup. While you’re at it, you can check out our weekly NHL power rankings here.
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Washington Capitals
What makes Washington such a tough team to beat is its excellent play on both ends of the rink. The Capitals not only lead the league in goals per game (3.29) and power play percentage (24.4), they also rank second in goals-against average (2.25). Alex Ovechkin is second in the league in goals scored with 31, while Brian Holtby has the most wins among all goaltenders with 34 this season.
Chicago Blackhawks
Here come the Blackhawks! The defending champs are right back in the thick of the playoff race, leading the Dallas Stars by three points at the top of the Western Conference standings. Providing the impetus for Chicago’s resurgence is the red-hot Patrick Kane. He leads the league in scoring this season with a whopping 32 goals.
What separates Chicago from the rest of the pack, though, is its Stanley Cup experience. The Blackhawks have won three of the past six NHL championships. With their championship-winning core of Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane remaining pretty much intact, the Blackhawks are hot picks to continue their dynasty this season. They are pegged at +500 to defend their Stanley Cup crown this year.
Los Angeles Kings
Speaking of dynasties, the Los Angeles Kings can also put a claim to that distinction. The Kings have won the Stanley Cup twice in the past four seasons, and they are well-poised to add to that winning tally this year. They are currently seven points clear of the San Jose Sharks at the top of the Pacific Division standings.
Leading the way for Los Angeles this season is Jonathan Quick. The Kings goalie has been superb this season, grabbing the third-most wins (28) thus far this campaign. Thanks to his solid goaltending, the Kings rank fifth in goals-against average this season, conceding just 2.29 goals per game. That defense will be crucial for the Kings if they are to win their third Stanley Cup title this year. Their odds of winning that coveted crown are priced at +750.
Sleeper
Pittsburgh Penguins
Looking for a great sleeper? How about the Pittsburgh Penguins? They are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, winning seven of their last 10 games. Sidney Crosby has finally woken up from his early-season slumber, scoring 22 points over his last 12 games. With Crosby now in fine form, the Penguins have an excellent chance of winning the championship once again this season. Mike Sullivan’s men are pegged at +2,500 to lift their fourth Stanley Cup title this year.
Long Shot
New Jersey Devils
They say elite goaltending wins championships. If that statement holds true, then you have a +6,000 long shot to look out for: the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have the best goaltending unit in the league, holding opponents to just 2.24 goals per game. Goalie Cory Schneider, in particular, has been solid thus far with a 2.00 GAA and four shutouts in 46 starts this season.
He was superb in New Jersey’s 2-1 win over Edmonton on Tuesday, stopping 19 of the 20 shots he faced. The 29-year-old is now 6-2-1 over his last nine games and he has conceded two goals or less in all but one of those contests. Thanks to Schneider’s solid play, the Devils have caught up with the Penguins for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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