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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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 4: Evander Kane #9, Brent Burns #88 and Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks take a moment to talk during a NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center on March 4, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 4: Evander Kane #9, Brent Burns #88 and Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks take a moment to talk during a NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center on March 4, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

9. San Jose Sharks

Third place in Pacific, 45-27-10

Why they can win – The Sharks have been a perennial contenders for seemingly the last decade. They’ve never won the Cup and the closest they’ve gotten is two seasons ago, when they lost to Pittsburgh. They’re going to give it another run with their basic core group of captain Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Logan Couture. The Sharks also made a big trade at the deadline, acquiring winger Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres. He’s been a big asset so far, averaging near a point a game with San Jose. The forward group isn’t the highest scoring bunch in the playoff field, but they can get the job done.

Aside from Burns on defense, the Sharks also boast Marc-Edourad Vlasic and Justin Braun. Can they really shut down an opposing attack? That’s debatable but the offense that Burns brings negates a lot of the negatives. Martin Jones hasn’t played at the level he did two seasons ago but he’s still a rock solid net minder. He should be the least of San Jose’s worries in the tournament.

Why they can’t – San Jose will have to shake the demons that have haunted it in the postseason for years to break through and win the Cup. They’re plenty capable but they are one of the teams that everyone will doubt until they prove it. Couture, Pavelski and Burns are all very good players in their own right. They also might not be enough to win the biggest prize, as no player broke the 70-point barrier during the regular season. The Sharks have plenty of depth but may lack the very top-end talent to come through.

X Factor – Tomas Hertl: The young winger has historically been good for about a half a point a game throughout his career. Still only 24, he’s got plenty of talent but he can make a big difference in the playoffs. Last season, the Sharks bowed out to the Edmonton Oilers in six games. Hertl was extremely quiet with just two assists. The Sharks will need all the help they can get if they want to finally hoist the Stanley Cup. Hertl and a player like Kane could tilt a series if they play well.

First Round Matchup – Anaheim Ducks; Sharks won the regular season 3-0-1

This is one of those first round series that is truly a coin flip. San Jose holds a slight edge given players like Burns, Pavelski and Couture. Would it be a surprise to see the Ducks walk away with a win? Not really but the Sharks should be able to get past their division rivals.

Prediction – Sharks in 7

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