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NHL Midseason Report: Top 10 Favorites To Win Stanley Cup

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NHL Midseason Report: Top 10 Favorites To Win Stanley Cup

Chicago Blackhawks Hockey
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The All-Star Game wrapped up on Sunday, and now it’s time to start the second half of the season and the sprint to the finish. There are plenty of teams that have positioned themselves well for a deep run in the playoffs. Here are the top 10 favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

10. Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators Hockey
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

10. Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators Hockey
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Nashville Predators are the current leaders in the Central Division, but must survive the beginning of the second half without star goaltender Pekka Rinne. The Predators are a solid team, but must rely on everyone to chip in offensively, while Rinne anchors the league’s best defense. Nashville isn’t higher on this list because they have only won two playoff series in their franchise history.

9. New York Islanders

John Tavares New York Islanders
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

9. New York Islanders

John Tavares New York Islanders
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders are back in the playoff hunt after a disappointing season last year. John Tavares leads New York with 46 points and paces the league’s second best offensive attack. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak has solidified the position for the Islanders, but has had an up-and-down playoff career. Halak and the defense will need to be better during the playoffs, as the Islanders are 21st in goal against per game, which won’t cut it.

8. Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

8. Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins have struggled this year, but have the playoff experience that nobody wants to face. Boston is a big, physical team that loves the grinding style of playoff hockey led by Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins need to make the postseason first, but should be a tough out because of goaltender Tuukka Rask, who has .930 save percentage and a 2.11 goals against average in 47 career playoff games.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay’s young core, led by Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson, will be looking to make amends for last season’s playoff showing after being swept in the first round. The Lightning will hope that starting goaltender Ben Bishop will make a difference this time around, but this will be Bishop’s first ever postseason action. Tampa Bay has a potent attack with the league’s best offense that can pressure any team in the Eastern Conference.

6. Montreal Canadiens

Carey Price
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

6. Montreal Canadiens

Carey Price
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal, home of one of the best playoff atmospheres in the game, makes this list due to the stellar play of goaltender Carey Price. Price was outstanding a season ago in leading the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Finals, and has continued his play this year. Price anchors the third best defensive unit in the league and is fifth in goals against average. He will need the offense to chip in more goals if Montreal wants to make a deep run.

5. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a strong turnaround for Detroit in their second season in the Eastern Conference, as the Red Wings are tied with the Islanders for the best record in the East. Detroit has been boosted by the league’s second best power play, while relying on key veterans in Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit has plenty of playoff experience that should serve them well in their run for the cup.

4. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

4. St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Blues have been a tough-nosed team for a couple of years now, but have run into the wrong team at the wrong time. The Blues lost to the Los Angeles Kings or Chicago Blackhawks the past three years, but appear to have their best team in that span. The Blues are led by All-Star Vladimir Tarasenko and the league’s best power play. The only question is goaltender Brian Elliott and whether he can shoulder the load for a long playoff run.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh has battled injuries all year long, but can roll out two of the best players in the game in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Those two have the Penguins sixth in the league in goals per game and also the sixth best power play in the league. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has bounced back from rocky postseason performances to lead the league in shutouts, but will need to prove it when it really matters for the Penguins.

2. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks Hockey
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

2. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks Hockey
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks have been the league’s best team and continue to win at an amazing clip, especially in close games. The Ducks are led once again by MVP-candidate Ryan Getzlaf and his linemate Corey Perry, but the addition of Ryan Kesler to anchor the second line has been a huge boost for Anaheim. Frederik Andersen has been stellar in goal but has no playoff experience, and the Ducks could use some insurance on the back end.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane copy
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago has been the model franchise in the NHL since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010. The Blackhawks are the deepest team in the league, headlined by stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are one of two teams to rank in the top five in goals for (fifth) and goals against (second) per game. Chicago’s depth up front and on defense will always have them as one of the Stanley Cup favorites.

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