|
Hotstove: Stanley Cup Predictions |
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.
In this edition we'll be sharing our predictions for the Stanley Cup Final and why we could see each scenario playing out.
Todd Cordell: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Chicago Blackhawks
I love what Steve Yzerman did in the off-season. The defense was their Achilles heel last season, and they went out and tried to address that by adding Anton Stralman, who I think will really help them, as well as Jason Garrison to bring more offense from the back end. Steven Stamkos is healthy and ready to go, and Jonathan Drouin looks ready to contribute in a big way. The likes of Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn and co. are only getting better, too. If Ben Bishop plays well and they can stay healthy, I think they're going deep.
As for Chicago, for the first time in a while they have a legitimate 2nd line center in Brad Richards. For all the crap he took about not living up to his contract, he still had 50 points last year. He'll have plenty of good wingers to play with, so he should be able to hit that plateau again. Their top-4 is solid, and I think Brandon Saad is ready to take a huge step forward.
Prediction: Lightning win in a long series.
Ryan Wilson: Pittsburgh Penguins vs St. Louis Blues
I have the St. Louis Blues playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Penguins have had their issues in the playoffs in recent memory but they have finally started to shed some of the issues from years past. Mike Johnston's strategic approach will actually be geared towards his top end players, not his bottom end players. Fleury is always a question mark but I don't think he'll be playing. I think Thomas Greiss will pull a Vokoun and take that net over come crunch time.
The Blues had a really nice offseason by landing a legitimate top six center in Paul Stastny. Stastny was the kind of player they have been missing and his presence will do wonders for how Ken Hitchcock can implement his forward depth. The Blues mistake last year was trading for Ryan Miller, they didn't need better goaltending. Brian Elliott leads the NHL the past 3 seasons in quality starts. When a goalie gives a team a quality start the team wins 70% of the time, not too shabby. Their defense corp. is solid and I think they will win their division and avoid another nightmare first round matchup (LA, LA, CHI, past 3 years).
Blues over Penguins.
Michael Stuart: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks
Picking the Blackhawks to make it out of the West is easy. The Los Angeles Kings made it to the Final in 2012. The Blackhawks made it to the Final in 2013. And the Kings made it to the Final in 2014. This super scientific study tells me that the Blackhawks will certainly make it to the Final this year.
In all seriousness, though, I like what Chicago did during the offseason. Getting Brad Richards on a short-term deal should pay huge dividends. Not only is he still a productive player, but he’s also a huge upgrade for Chicago. An already great team just got better. With names like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the fold as well, it’s tough to bet against the Blackhawks.
Like Chicago, Pittsburgh also made a number of smart moves during the offseason. Getting much-needed depth in the form of Blake Comeau, Steve Downie, Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling should make them a more complete team. Signing Thomas Greiss gives them a hugely underrated option in net. Inking Christian Ehrhoff and adding Mike Johnston as coach were also shrewd maneuvers. In a wide open Eastern Conference, I see the Penguins as one of the teams that truly improved during the summer of 2014.
My Stanley Cup pick? The Chicago Blackhawks.
Tim Chiasson: Pittsburgh Penguins vs St. Louis Blues
St. Louis: Lost in all the LA/Chicago talk in the Western Conference are the St. Louis Blues. Paul Stastny is going to be a big boost for the Blues offensively and they are going to surprise people in the playoffs this year. Vladimir Tarasenko is in line for a huge season and they returned to what worked in net: Brian Elliot. He’s not flashy but he plays solid between the pipes for the Blues. My bet is they win the Central Division to draw a wildcard team, giving them the confidence they need to push through the gruelling Western Conference.
Pittsburgh: If Sidney Crosby wasn’t injured and could actually have shot a puck during the post season last year I don’t think they bow out to the Rangers. When Sid and Geno are healthy there’s not a team that can fully contain them. They’ve got a new coach who, we have to assume, can actually adjust in-game. They’ve got more depth and they have another year without a trip to the finals to motivate them to get back. When a team has two of the best players in the world it’s hard to bet against them.
Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins
Why: Healthy Crosby, healthy Malkin. The Penguins are due for another Cup and the competitive nature of two world class players and more depth are going to bring it back to Pittsburgh.
Join the Discussion:
»