Top Stanley Cup contenders
By Ari Baum-Cohen
In each of the past seven years, the Stanley Cup has gone to one of the top two seeds in the Conference. Not since the New Jersey Devils in the lockout-shortened 1994-1995 season has a team seeded lower than fourth won the Stanley Cup.
How will the top two seeds in each Conference fare this year?
San Jose Sharks: Odds to win the Cup +400
Why they will win:
San Jose is on the verge of clinching the President’s Trophy (best overall regular season record). The Sharks have large, physical and talented forwards and a balanced defence that contributes offensively and keeps the puck out of the net. Evgeni Nabokov is an elite goaltender who has the ability to steal a playoff series. The Sharks own the league’s best home record and will have home-ice advantage through the postseason.
Why they won’t win:
San Jose has been a perennial playoff disappointment and Joe Thornton has yet to perform in the postseason. In addition, the Sharks’ physical play may be catching up with them as Patrick Marleau, Ryane Clowe, Rob Blake and Mike Grier have all missed time down the stretch. Like last season, a long and hard-hitting opening round could seriously damage San Jose’s chances for a Cup run.
Detroit Red Wings: Odds to win the Cup +350
Why they will win:
Once again, the Wings have breezed through the regular season and are the favourites to win the Cup. Detroit boasts the league’s most potent offense and a talented defensive corps. The defending champs are loaded with playoff experience and few will be surprised if the Wings return to the Cup finals for a second consecutive year.
Why they won’t win:
Detroit’s goaltending is a concern heading into the playoffs. Chris Osgood has struggled this year (3.10 GAA, .887 SV percentage) but has been named Detroit’s starting goaltender for the playoffs. In spite of a strong year by Ty Conklin, it is hard to believe Conklin would be able to shoulder the load should Osgood falter early (like Osgood did when Hasek struggled last year). In addition, no team has repeated as Cup Champions since the Wings did in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Boston Bruins: Odds to win the Cup: +700
Why they will win:
The surprising Bruins have arguably been the most consistent team in the league. Boston has allowed the fewest goals against while breakout seasons from Phil Kessel, David Krejci and Blake Wheeler have helped the B’s become one of the highest scoring teams in the league. With Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman stifling opponents and Tim Thomas playing like a Vezina Trophy candidate, this team is built for a long, deep run into the playoffs.
Why they won’t win:
The Bruins have not won a playoff series in 10 years and do not have a wealth of playoff experience in their lineup. Tim Thomas has appeared in seven career playoff games and it is unknown if his heroics in net can continue into the postseason.
Washington Capitals: Odds to win the Cup +1000
Why they will win:
Alex Ovechkin has the ability to single handedly put this team on his back. But that won’t be necessary with Washington’s well-rounded supporting cast. Youngsters Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green are complemented by veterans Sergei Fedorov, Chris Clark and Michael Nylander. Washington has been one of the best teams in the league for the past season and a half and should not be ignored as a legitimate Cup contender.
Why they won’t win:
Like the Red Wings, there are questions surrounding Washington’s goaltending. Will the 2002 Hart Trophy winning Jose Theodore show up or will we see the 2005 Jose Theodore (3.41 GAA, 8.82 SV%) in net for the Capitals? This year, Theodore’s numbers have been somewhere in between. A Washington-Montreal series would see Theodore return to his home province to face his former team. Will he rise to the occasion?