The postseason picture isn’t 100% clear yet in the NHL, but it is clear enough that you can take a look at which sleepers to keep an eye out for when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin in the next two weeks.
Los Angeles Kings
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: 12/1
The Kings are right where they want to be. They are low enough in the standings that some might overlook them, but those in the know realize that no team may be as dangerous as the Kings, who won the Cup two years ago as a #8 seed and lost to Chicago in the Western final last season. They don’t score a lot, but they do get timely goals and adding Marian Gaborik could be huge. With Drew Doughty leading the defense and Jonathan Quick in goal, the Kings are sorted at the back. This could be an excellent bet.
Colorado Avalanche
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: 15/1
The Avalanche’s chances took a hit when it was announced that Matt Duchene would be out for up to four weeks with a knee injury. But you never know, that could work in Colorado’s favor as it would allow Patrick Roy to use the “nobody believes in us” defense. Roy has been splendid in his first year as an NHL head coach, and his playoff performances as a player (he won four Cups as a goalie, along with three Conn Smythes) should help his team. Colorado should be able to score goals, but the key will be goalie Semyon Varmalov, who should take some tips from his coach.
Montreal Canadiens
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: 20/1
Speaking of Roy, he backstopped the Canadiens to Cups in 1986 and 1993 and to be honest, they probably didn’t deserve either of them. That is the pressure Carey Price is facing as the #1 guy in Montreal, but he seems to be one that relishes that pressure. He wasn’t asked to do a lot in Canada’s gold-medal win in Sochi, but he stepped up when he was called upon and there isn’t much that the opposition can do when they face a hot goalie. Montreal isn’t an offensive juggernaut by any means, but they have a dangerous weapon in P.K. Subban, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, although he still makes some defensive mistakes. Still, if Price is focused like he was in the Olympics, Montreal can put a scare into some.
Philadelphia Flyers
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: 28/1
No one would have expected the Flyers to even be in the hunt if you look at the start to their season, but they have been one of the best in the league over the last two months. The Flyers have a player in Claude Giroux who can dominate a game and he has a chip on his shoulder since being overlooked for Team Canada, while Steve Mason is firmly entrenched as the #1 goalie, although Ray Emery is a solid #2. The Flyers are a physical team that can wear you down, and that counts for something in the playoffs. If they can take fewer penalties, but keep their edge, the Flyers could cause a huge early upset in the East.
