5 reasons why Anaheim Ducks will win Stanley Cup

1. Dark Horse Mystique

In a season that’s seen the resurgence of the Colorado Avalanche, the fall (once again) of the Edmonton Oilers, the birth of the most successful expansion team in NHL history, the retirement of contemporary hockey’s most famous brothers, the Nashville Predators’ devastating push for the Presidents’ Trophy and the Chicago Blackhawks disappear into the abyss, it’s easy to forget about the organizations that remain outside popular discussions surrounding the Western Conference.

As the Ducks enter the postseason, it’s important to recognize that they stand among the most intimidating dark horses in the NHL. They’re a team that’s managed to accumulate impressive numbers by committee, as the tide of injuries has enveloped the franchise over the course of 2017-18. While the ailment bug initially appeared to plague the organization, it now serves as a source of strength, as Anaheim has quietly finished the regular season with 101 points. An 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games has even allowed the team to end up in second place in the Pacific Division.

That the Ducks have gained traction at the perfect time is an intimidating feat for any opponent, especially when considering their historic ability to usher forward winning ways in difficult situations.

But what causes Anaheim to look like more than a good team — dare I say it, a great team — is the capacity for certain players to go on unpredictably devastating runs. Rakell leads the Ducks’ roster in both goals and points, but others continue to tease the hockey world. Getzlaf’s 61 points in 56 games are rarely discussed, while little attention is paid to the blueline’s combination of offensively-minded players with defensively accountable counterparts. As previous slides attest, this is only part of the story.

It’s chilling, really. The Ducks are underdiscussed, underappreciated, underrated and undervalued. Despite the fact that major pieces of the lineup have been missing at various points in the regular season, they’re ranked 9th in the NHL. As soon as they’re temporarily written off, they quack their way into legitimate contention.

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They may not be piloted by Gordon Bombay, but you can bet that the spirit of motivation propels this team like few others. Ducks fly together, indeed.

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