Fansided

Ranking each Stanley Cup playoff team’s chances of winning it all

By Adam Strangis

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was created with a smartphone.) The Stanley Cup is seen on display during the PreGame
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was created with a smartphone.) The Stanley Cup is seen on display during the PreGame /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate on the ice after the team’s 4-0 victory over the Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena on March 18, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate on the ice after the team’s 4-0 victory over the Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena on March 18, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

5. Vegas Golden Knights

First place in Pacific, 51-24-7

Why they can win – All the Knights did in their first season is smash every possible expectation and snag a high seed for the playoffs. Forwards Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson have been the go-to goal scorers, aided by James Neal and Erik Haula. Even David Perron has found his playmaking abilities that have been lacking in his last few stops. He destroyed his career high in assists and set a new on for points. The defense has been one of the biggest surprises in the league as they look less than imposing on paper. Nate Schmidt and Brayden McNabb are among their better players on defense. Multi-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury mans the net and even though he’s had his postseason hiccups, he can lead a team to the ultimate prize.

Why they can’t – Many among the hockey community are hoping they don’t win the Cup since their social media presence is already highly annoying and borderline unbearable. Even though they changed the person running the Twitter account a few weeks ago, it hasn’t made a difference.

As far as on the ice, is an expansion team really a threat to win a Cup? They’ve never been in the fires of the playoffs as a team. This dream season has to come crashing down at some point, doesn’t it? They’re a talented squad but it’s hard to believe they’re one of the best in the league. They’ve earned everything they’ve got so far and deserve the accolades. It is always possible the bad version of the Flower blooms in April. If that happens, Vegas would be in a world of hurt.

X Factor – Tomas Tatar: Vegas was in an interesting spot at the trade deadline. The Golden Knights probably should have taken the chance to add more young players and picks since they’re an expansion franchise. Seeing as how they were competing for the No. 1 seed in the West, they instead decided to pay a VERY high price to bring in winger Tomas Tatar. It came across as a panic trade, just for the sake of making a deal. The returns have been less than inspiring so far and Vegas has to hope Tatar can find his touch when the games become the most important. Right now, it looks like a waste of three very valuable picks for Vegas.

First Round Matchup –  Los Angeles Kings, series tied at 2-2

This may seem weird to say, but if the Knights get past the Kings, they could take down the West. However, Los Angels is a bad draw for them. They didn’t want to see a team with the experience the Kings have, considering they have exactly zero as a team. Sure, they have players that have won the Cup but that isn’t the same thing. Los Angeles is going to drag them into deep water before this is all said and done.

Prediction – Kings in 7

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