The Stanley Cup playoffs are upon us and that means that it's time to predict which teams have the best chance of taking home Lord Stanley's Cup. Here is the first part of our rankings from the team with the worst chance at the victory to the side with the best chance of lifting the cup.
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets are competing in just the second playoffs in the franchise's history. While this team is ranked 16th, it is imperative not to write them off. They might be facing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round—a team that admittedly swept them in five games this season—but they also have a notable edge in goal. Sergei Bobrovsky will be the reason this team rises or falls in this series.
15. Dallas Stars
The Stars are back in the playoffs for the first time in six years and they feature a youthful core. Taylor Seguin is the key for this team. He has won a Stanley Cup in Boston before—albeit in a supporting role—but his youthfulness combined with his experience could go a long way. The team's big problem is that they are facing the Anaheim Ducks, a team built to win right now.
14. Colorado Avalanche
This is a young team that had terrific goaltending and poor possession numbers. Starting goalie Semyon Varlamov had a .927 save percentage this season despite his career .917 save percentage. If he can sustain those lofty numbers, then this team is a contender. If he is not able to, which is the more likely outcome, then this team could sink quickly.
13. Minnesota Wild
The Wild have an "easier" matchup in the first round as they will take on the young Colorado Avalanche. And while the team has the likes of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, there is still a wealth of inexperienced and young players that will need to contribute in big ways if this team is to make a deep run. Ilya Bryzgalov has had a knack for playing poorly in the playoffs—he had .887 and .879 save percentages in his last two playoff runs—and if he continues that trend, then this team will be gone quickly.
12. Philadelphia Flyers
Claude Giroux promised that his team would be in the playoffs and he delivered. But is this team built for a deep run? The Flyers may be without goalie Steve Mason to start the series but even when they do get him back, is he good enough to top Henrik Lundqvist? Is he good enough for the deep run? Is the Flyers' defense, which is filled with mediocre defenseman throughout, capable of shutting down the top defenses in the NHL?
11. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are always competitive and could take down the Bruins in the first round with their speed, but the main issue with this team is that it is made up of an aging core that seems prone to injury. The Red Wing effect seems to be fading even with a superstar like Pavel Datsyuk in its midst. The team will be good, but is it really deep enough and strong enough to hold up over the next two months?
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
Ben Bishop has been a rock in the regular season, but how will his play translate in the playoffs? Is Steven Stamkos ready to take over this team and carry it on his own without Martin St. Louis or Vincent Lecavalier around to help him through it all? The Lightning have the talent for a deep run, but the team still has to answer a lot of questions before being considered a top contender.
9. Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price just won an Olympic gold medal so he is certainly capable of making a deep run in this tournament. He has PK Subban to lead the defense and a solid offense that includes the likes of Thomas Vanek and Max Pacioretty. The team looked built for a great run a year ago but imploded in the first round. Logic would dictate that this team learned from that poor performance against the Senators and is ready to take the next step.
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