5 reasons why Anaheim Ducks will win Stanley Cup

3. A Solid Blueline

The most blatant proof of Anaheim’s defensive strength lies in factors that extend beyond the team’s current roster.

Two examples come to mind.

That the Ducks traded Shea Theodore to the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 Expansion Draft in order to protect their already established set of defenders may have came as a shock to the casual observer. That they went on to comfortably trade Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round draft pick for Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick just months later signalled full-fledged proof of something greater.

Unlike many teams, the Ducks have confidence in their defensemen.

Although they’ll possibly head into the playoffs without the likes of Cam Fowler and Kevin Bieksa, there’s little doubt that Anaheim’s current blueline will seek to continue to marry defensive responsibility with offensive assistance. Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Montour, in particular, are among the hardest workers in the NHL — as such, expect them to be keen on ushering forward success in the postseason.

And for those that render the injuries to Fowler and Bieksa synonymous with the end of the Ducks’ shot at a Stanley Cup, remember this — Anaheim has already managed to overcome an enormous amount of obstacles in their push for a playoff berth. The loss of star player after star player over the course of previous months all but spelled a season that would be nothing short of dingy and dark. What’s now clear is that they know how to play through devastating injuries — perhaps more than any other team in the league.

For the Ducks, losing players is part of a learning curve — one that they’ve had ample experience in grappling with.