3 Dark Horse Teams To Win the Stanley Cup

Growing up in Montreal, I was surrounded by hockey 24/7. In Montreal, many have been quoted as saying that hockey “isn’t a sport, it’s a religion”. With the NHL playoffs commencing tonight I thought I’d give a look at the teams who are competing, then come away with an analysis of three teams that aren’t necessarily favorites but have the ability to take it all the away.

Sadly, my boyhood team, the Montreal Canadiens, aren’t in the mix this year, but there are some great teams worth cheering for, and we will take a look today at three dark horse candidates for the Stanley Cup. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and check it out.

Pittsburgh Penguins

When you’re thinking of the Eastern Conference, the main superpowers that come to mind are Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Carolina, but mark my words, don’t sleep on this Penguins team. Yes, the majority of the teams that have dominated the regular season are on another level in terms of offensive firing power, but the Penguins have Stanley Cup experience; namely three championships since 2009-10.

I would suggest never counting out a team led by Sidney Crosby and the gang. Although their core is aged, it looks like they still have some fuel left in the tank to power another playoff run. The only deterrent that stands in their way would be their goaltending situation, but hopefully, Casey DeSmith can pull a rabbit out of the hat and channel Marc-André Fleury.

Minnesota Wild

Speaking of Marc-André Fleury, the former Pittsburgh Penguin legend is now a member of the Minnesota Wild, and his tandem with Cam Talbot seems to be one of the deadliest in the NHL playoffs. Fleury can still play, and this Wild team has the firing power and defensive prowess to hang with the best of them.

Their toughest opponent comes in the second round of the playoffs, where they will inevitably play the Stanley Cup favorites, the Colorado Avalanche. If Minnesota can somehow pull a miracle, and defeat the Avalanche, then there is no way they will let any other team stand in their way of capturing their first championship in franchise history.

Washington Capitals

Similar to the Penguins, the Capitals are another Eastern conference team that is being slept on in these playoffs. Sure, they may not be as youthful and potent offensively as their first-round counterparts, the Florida Panthers, but they have a secret weapon, or weapons I should say; Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin.

Let’s not forget that we are only 4 years removed from a Capitals Stanley Cup win and that this team can always be lethal when it comes playoff time. The Panthers are the favorites in this series, but they lack experience, and that may end up biting them early. If the Capitals can find a way to shut down Florida’s goal-scoring, then they’ll be on their way to the second round of the playoffs in no time.

Want to get in on the action? Fill out an NHL Playoff Bracket and let me know who you have going all the way.