3 NHL dark horses to make a Stanley Cup run in 2019-20

1.  Arizona Coyotes

It seems like a broken record at this point, but the Arizona Coyotes are due for a run at the Stanley Cup.

That exciting and historic run has been in progress since last season during a commendable transition year for general manager John Chayka and company. Skaters such Derek Stepan, Phil Kessel and Alex Goligoski offer the veteran presence Arizona needs to lead the way in the playoffs, while the newly acquired Taylor Hall can contribute fresh blood and motivation towards the Coyotes’ lineup.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaCoyotes/status/1206691596705525760

Arizona hungrier than ever for immediate success, and it proved the Yotes meant business about winning after trading for the 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner in Hall. That transaction alone should inject a positive sense of fuel in the dressing room and the seats with the loyal fans who’ve cheered for the Yotes since 1996-97.

The veteran skaters mentioned above offer a dynamic mix of playoff experience with one former MVP who’s determined to just play in his sixth career Stanley Cup playoff contest.

Let’s not forget about the goaltending tandem the Coyotes embrace with Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper. Depth down the middle of the ice is essential and the Yotes arguably entail that for the first time since 2011-12 when the team advanced to its only Western Conference Finals appearance.

History shows that depth between the pipes with goaltenders who can ride a hot streak at any given moment can carry even average teams deep into the playoffs.

Yes, Arizona has the veteran star talent mentioned earlier in this post, plus the youthful assets such as Clayton Keller, Christian Dvorak and Nick Schmaltz; but don’t be surprised if both Raanta and Kuemper shine in the postseason while leading the Yotes to the Conference Finals.