The Contenders for the Stanley Cup (NHL Playoffs)

The crunch time has come for the National Hockey League the top contenders are fighting it out against each other to try and win the cup. In terms of the teams that are likely to go all the way the powerhouses of Chicago, Anaheim, New York Rangers, Washington and Montreal will be looking to progress to the Stanley Cup Final while teams such as Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Calgary are trying to pull of upsets to try and make it all the way. This year is also the first since 2007 that the defending champions have failed to qualify for the playoffs meaning it is guaranteed that a new champion will be crowned.

The Top Contenders

Anaheim Ducks

After finishing the season top of the table in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season the Ducks were able to secure the top seed in the West giving them an easier draw. They made light work of their first round matchup with Winipeg Jets sweeping the series 4-0 to set up the second round matchup with Calgary who beat a major rival in the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in the first round. Anahiem are 3-1 up in the second round series and will be looking to continue this form to make an easy progression through to the conference final where they will face Chicago Blackhawks .

With their top players including Corey Perry firing in the post season having already racked up 15 points in 9 games (7 Goals, 8 Assists) and Captain Ryan Getzlaf having scored 12 points in 9 games (2 Goals, 10 Assists) they should have no problem moving into the conference final and potentially to the Stanley Cup Final.

Chicago Blackhawks

After finishing the season in a difficult situation going into the first round of the finals losing the last 4 games of the regular season, the Blackhawks have managed to turn their form around and establish themselves as a dominate force in the playoffs.

The Blackhawks received a boost to begin the playoffs with star player Patrick Kane returning to the playing group earlier than expected after breaking his collarbone in late February.

The playoffs did not start as well as they would have liked in their series against the Nashville Predators with goalie Corey Crawford conceding one goal every five shots (nine goals in 45 shots). His form recovered in the later games in the series, which the Blackhawks won 4-2. The team went on to sweep the Minnesota Wild 4-0 in their subsequent series meaning they have reached the Western Conference final for the fifth time in seven years. In reaching the Conference final they will face a tough match-up against the Anaheim Ducks who they beat twice and lost to once in the regular season.

Once again the star players have stepped up to the plate and continue to lead their team. Captain Jonathan Toews has started the playoffs well picking up 11 points in 10 games (4 Goals, 7 Assists) as well as the returning Patrick Kane who has picked up 13 points in 10 games (7 Goals, 6 Assists). Defenceman Duncan Keith has also showed his attacking prowess scoring 10 points in 10 games (2 Goals, 8 Assists) including one overtime goal against Nashville.

New York Rangers

After finishing the season with the best points total for the regular season and finishing with a 53-22 win-loss record, the Rangers headed into the playoffs looking like they were going to avenge their loss against Los Angeles Kings in last years Stanley Cup final.

The first round of the playoffs went largely to plan with an easy 4-1 first round series win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they now have a harder task against the Washington Capitals who have managed to tie up the series between the two teams at three games apiece, coming back from 3-1 down.

They are going to have to rely on the goalkeeping skill of Henrik Lundquist who is one of the best goalies in the league averaging 1.56 goals conceded a game in the playoff thus far.

In terms of playoff stats leaders the highest point total for the Rangers is Derek Brassard with 8 points in 11 games (5 Goals, 3 Assists) and Rick Nash also with 7 points in 11 games (2 Goal, 5 Assists)

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are a potential dark horse despite finishing 5th  overall in the regular season with a win-loss record of 50-22-10 and being seeded 3rd in the East for the playoffs. They had a competitive match-up against the 6th seeded Detroit Red Wings defeating them 4-2 in the first round and are now facing off against the Montreal Canadiens who were seeded 2nd in a very good position 3-1 with the potential to wrap up going into game 5.

Tampa’s stats leaders are having a great run at the moment – Tyler Johnson currently has 12 points in 12 games (8 Goals, 4 Assists) while captain Steven Stamkos has 9 points in 12 games (2 Goal, 7 Assists).

Washington Capitals

There is the potential for the Capitals to cause an upset against New York given that it is a very even contest with Washington being seeded 4th, finishing the regular season with a win-loss record of 45-26. The potential is there given that they possess the winner of the most goals in the regular season in Alex Ovechkin who scored 53 goals in 81 games.

Ovechkin has continued this good form in the playoffs scoring 8 points in 13 games (4 Goals, 4 Assists) with support coming in the form of Nicklas Backstrom who has 7 points (3 Goals, 4 Assists) and Joel Ward who has 9 points (3 Goals, 6 Assists) in 13 games.

Likely Match-ups

Conference Final

Western Conference: Anaheim Ducks v Chicago Blackhawks

Eastern Conference: New York Rangers/Washington Capitals v Tampa Bay Lightning

Out of the conference final predictions the only maybe is the Washington Capitals who could take New York’s position given that is a very even contest, however either side should be able to overcome the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stanley Cup Final

Chicago Blackhawks v New York/Washington Capitals

Four of the last five NHL champions have come from the Western Conference (Chicago 2010, 2013, LA Kings 2012, 2014) with the Boston Bruins (2011) being the only team from the East to win the Stanley Cup since 2010.

For all the latest results and up to date statistics go to the National Hockey League website

By Liam Warren