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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 15: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Wells Fargo Center on March 15, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 15: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Wells Fargo Center on March 15, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

 14. Philadelphia Flyers

Third in the Metro, 42-26-14

Why they can win – Philly would have one route to the Cup and that’s for its offense to take over every single series. It’s capable of doing so, led by captain Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. They also have a dynamic young defenseman who happens to be one of the better offensive weapons from the blue line in the league, Shane Gostisbhere. Those four playing well represents the best possible chance the Flyers have to navigate the East.

The defense is one of the weaker corps in the playoff field. After Gostisbhere, the next best defenseman is…Brandon Manning? Andrew MacDonald? Needless to say, there aren’t many quality options. The goalie situation isn’t much better. Michal Neuvirth is their best bet, but he’s still getting his legs back under him after missing a significant chunk of the season. The trade with Detroit for Petr Mrazek hasn’t worked out at all. Brian Elliott dealt with his own injury and it’s going to be tough for him to just drop back into playoff intensity hockey.

Why they can’t – Aside from the fact they have no reliable goalie or even a shred of defense? As talented as the Flyers are at the top, their depth makes it hard to believe they can beat four straight teams that are better than they are (at least on paper). Multiple defensemen would have to step up and play way above their heads and a goalie would have to emerge from Neuvirth, Elliott, and Mrazek. Anything is possible in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the Flyers would have to take large step forward in a real short time to make it happen.

X Factor – Wayne Simmonds: The winger for Philly brings a rough and tumble element to the offense, and Simmonds can be an absolute terror down low. During the playoffs, refs tend to be even more lax than normal, and that plays right into the style Simmonds likes to play. He’s going to be a handful for other teams to deal with and could easily swing a game in the series.

First Round Matchup – Pittsburgh Penguins; Pens swept regular season 4-0

This is likely one of the last teams the Flyers wanted to see right out of the gate. The bitter rivals will square off and Philly is going to have to out-gun the defending champs, which is no easy task. The Flyers may have the offense to keep up, but they have little hope to contain the Penguins’ offensive attack. Philly needs to hope the Pens show up playing arrogant and foolish, otherwise this series could be over in a hurry.

Prediction – Pittsburgh in 5

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