NHL Playoffs: 5 reasons the Chicago Blackhawks could repeat

Despite a late-season slumber, the Blackhawks have what it takes to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2016.

After a rough offseason, many believed that the Chicago Blackhawks would take a step back from last season. That hasn’t been the case as the Hawks find themselves all but assured of a playoff berth. They don’t find themselves in an ideal spot like the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars currently do, but they find themselves in third place in the Central Division, the same place that they were in last year when they made their Stanley Cup run.

This year’s team is noticeably different from last year’s team. Gone are Brandon Saad, Kris Versteeg, and Patrick Sharp. Replacing them? Artemi Panarin, Andrew Ladd, and Artem Anisimov. The core of the team remains the same: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, and Corey Crawford. While Crawford might be currently getting healthy, if their core five guys are healthy and playing at their best, it’s impossible to count them out of contention.

The Blackhawks might even be a better team than last year’s. This year’s team has more forward depth and likely has a better blue line as well. Last year’s team won the Stanley Cup while being pushed by unforgettable performances by defensemen Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Brent Seabrook. That trio won’t be forced to play 26 minutes each this postseason unless head coach Joel Quenneville wants them to.

Here are five reasons that the Blackhawks could repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Next: #5: A Deadly Scoring Line