5 Reasons Why Minnesota Wild Will Win 2015 Stanley Cup

By Sean Sarcu

5 Reasons Why Minnesota Wild Will Win 2015 Stanley Cup

Minnesota Wild Stanley Cup 2014-15 — The Minnesota Wild has quietly become one of the NHL's best teams and is a popular darkhorse pick out of the Central Division. Here are 5 reasons why the Wild will win the Stanley Cup in 2014-15.

5. Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper

5. Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper — Darcy Kuemper got injured during last year's Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche and his absence was plainly felt against the Chicago Blackhawks in the next round. Kuemper is healthy and has started the season strong, already posting a shutout. Given solid goaltending, Minnesota has no discernible weakness on its roster.

4. Thomas Vanek

Thomas Vanek

4. Thomas Vanek

Thomas Vanek — The Wild needed more goalscoring talent to supplement Zach Parise, and they got it over the offseason with the signing of Thomas Vanek. Minnesota's offense now has the high-end talent to compete with the rest of the Western Conference's elite.

3. Forward Depth

Minnesota Wild Forward Depth

3. Forward Depth

Minnesota Wild Forward Depth — The Wild's forward depth is fantastic; the team has one of the league's better top-sixes as well as one of its best third lines. Erik Haula and Nino Niederreiter are extremely high-quality players to have in a bottom six.

2. Team Defense

Minnesota Wild Team Defense

2. Team Defense

Minnesota Wild Team Defense — Minnesota's calling card is its defense. The Wild play a stifling game in the neutral zone, and it proved very effective during last year's postseason; Corey Crawford was the sole reason Minnesota didn't make it to the Western Conference Final.

1. Playoff Experience

Playoff Experience

1. Playoff Experience

Playoff Experience — Minnesota gained a lot of experience last spring by going the distance (and beating) Colorado and giving the Blackhawks all they could handle. The lessons learned during that impressive run will go a long way towards getting the Wild to the promised land in 2014-15.

Sean Sarcu is a Chicago Blackhawks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.

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