If you haven’t already go read the top 5 contenders list. For this article we look at the teams who are probably a step or two away from winning it all but could make a splash in the playoffs. Without further ado here are the teams who wont go one and done but probably don’t have enough ju ju for a cup.
- Anaheim Ducks: The ducks are coming down the stretch hot and for the first time with only 1 starting goalie. With less drama surrounding the net minder the Ducks have a very real chance to march through the first two rounds of the playoffs. There toughest test will be the Blackhawks.
- San Jose Sharks: So many have forgotten about last year’s runner up, they shouldn’t though. The Sharks posess an extremely dangerous attack and solid defensive core. Not to mention a vienza caliber goaltender. If they can find a way around Anaheim they have a legit shot at the cup.
- Saint Louis Blues: From firing there coach midseason to having a shot to knock off the stumbling wild in the first round of the playoffs, now that’s a success story. The Blues have the kind of team and playoff experience that could turn the playoffs upside down. If they knock out Minnesota in the first round other than San Jose there the biggest threat to Chicago.
- Edmonton Oilers: Yes they are a young team. Yes they lack an elite defensive core. Yes they might be one and done. What the Oilers have though is speed. They remind me of last year’s Pittsburgh team. A team that’s not going to win on the boards but that is going to kill you on the fast break. The Pens were able to out speed the Sharks to a championship last year why not the Oilers.
- Minnesota Wild: The Wild are down here purely because they have struggled mightily the last month. Even if they could regain January level talent though I’m not sure they’d be able to knock off the Blackhawks.
