5 Reasons Why Minnesota Wild Will Win 2015 Stanley Cup
![Minnesota Wild Stanley Cup 2014-15](/nhl/files/2014/10/1-Minnesota-Wild-Stanley-Cup-2014-15.jpg)
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](/nhl/files/2014/10/2-Darcy-Kuemper-copy.jpg)
5. Darcy Kuemper
![Darcy Kuemper](/nhl/files/2014/10/2-Darcy-Kuemper.jpg)
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](/nhl/files/2014/10/3-Thomas-Vanek-copy.jpg)
4. Thomas Vanek
![Thomas Vanek](/nhl/files/2014/10/3-Thomas-Vanek.jpg)
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](/nhl/files/2014/10/4-Forward-Depth-copy.jpg)
3. Forward Depth
![Minnesota Wild Forward Depth](/nhl/files/2014/10/4-Forward-Depth.jpg)
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](/nhl/files/2014/10/5-Team-Defense-copy.jpg)
2. Team Defense
![Minnesota Wild Team Defense](/nhl/files/2014/10/5-Team-Defense.jpg)
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](/nhl/files/2014/10/6-Playoff-Experience-copy.jpg)
1. Playoff Experience
![Playoff Experience](/nhl/files/2014/10/6-Playoff-Experience.jpg)
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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