Why will an Eastern Conference team win the Stanley Cup? Why won’t they? Here’s a quick look at why fans of Eastern Conference teams might be happy or sad in 2015-16.
Metropolitan Division
New York Rangers
Why They Will:
The younger forwards progress and fill in for players lost this past offseason. King Henrik does what he does and carries them on his back as far as he possibly can.
Why They Won’t:
Henrik Lundqvist gets hurt. At that point they are screwed. Rick Nash decides to hide under a rock during the playoffs again – which is technically a lie based narrative by the way, he had fourteen points in nineteen games. Anyway, moving on.
Washington Capitals
Why They Will:
Alexander Ovechkin goes bonkers and allows the rest of the team to take a breather until the final. TJ Oshie and Justin Williams do enough to lead them there.
Why They Won’t:
A thoroughly average defense may get exploited come playoff time as they age perilously. Or they could play Braden Holtby into the ground which is a very distinct possibility.
New York Islanders
Why They Will:
A young core developing year after year finally reaches their collective peaks allowing them to overpower teams with their impressive depth.
Why They Won’t:
Jaroslav Halek doesn’t show up come playoff time. Seriously, this team is poised to make a very deep run if the goaltending holds up.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Why They Will:
Offensive depth allows them to embarrass teams on a consistent basis. Phil Kessel is also a very good reason why they might win the Cup.
Why They Won’t:
Top of the defense gets injured, defense becomes a much different beast with Kris Letang and Olli Maata gone. Marc-Andre Fleury does the thing where he decides to implode (which is vastly overblown at this point).
Columbus Blue Jackets
Why They Will:
Offensive depth coupled with young players developing nicely. Sergei Bobrovsky playing out of his mind come playoff time.
Why They Won’t:
No top flight defenders on the team will leave them susceptible many nights to being overpowered. The slightest bite of the injury bug would spell disaster.
Philadelphia Flyers
Why They Will:
Some of their value pickups become contributors allowing players like Umberger and Lecavalier to not get nearly as much ice time.
Why They Won’t:
The defense. If Voracek or Giroux get injured for any period of time, they will suffer greatly.
New Jersey Devils
Why They Will:
Cory Schneider plays out of his mind. Vezina type season. Players emerge offensively that weren’t ever on the radar.
Why They Won’t:
They don’t have the firepower to keep up with any team. As good as Schneider plays it won’t allow them to compete in the tough Metro.
Carolina Hurricanes
Why They Will:
Offensive depth starts to catch up with the first two lines. Exact same defensively. Noah Hanifin and Haydn Fleury play and exceed expectations.
Why They Won’t:
Defensive depth is still a little bit too young. Offense isn’t ready just yet. Team is still a season or two away from competing within the division.
Atlantic Division
Montreal Canadiens
Why They Will:
Carey Price carries the team once again, showing once again that he is one of the best in the game.
Why They Wont:
If Carey Price gets injured or the offense doesn’t keep up its possession to sustainable levels. The team is ultra talented but have been held back by either systems or coaching. Each may be evaluated after this season if they don’t win the Cup.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Why They Will:
Progression of young players in their prime. Defense is one of the best possession-based backends in the game. Average goaltending will allow them to get far in playoffs.
Why They Won’t:
Very, very few reasons. Mostly if the top two lines get injured., which may seem unlikely but if you look over at Blue Jackets fans you may get a peak into that reality.
Detroit Red Wings
Why They Will:
This team is built for continuous playoff appearances. The depth that they continue to exhibit is one of the best in the league. This isn’t by accident as they have a prospect pipeline that rivals any other team in the league. If one player fails to live up to expectations or is injured, another will step up in short order. That is the nature of the team and only allows them to continue their run.
Why They Won’t:
The league/team may have underestimated the importance of Mike Babcock. No reason to believe there will be a stark fall off for them with Jeff Blashill at the helm but it is tough to evaluate a coach on anything other than wins and losses. Many coaches have tried the jump from the minors to the pros, we don’t know Blashill’s ability just yet.
Ottawa Senators
Why They Will:
Another miracle run from their goalies. Team isn’t particularly stacked at forward or defense, both are top heavy and they will need the top players to excel for them to have any sort of chance.
Why They Won’t:
Coaching is not the best but not the worst. Not proven at the pro level but could prove to be valuable. The goaltending situation isn’t in that great of shape as they have a committee situation with players Andrew Hammond and Craig Anderson. More or less the situation depends on the goalies. They will need excellence to get anywhere
Boston Bruins
Why They Will:
David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara will need to stay healthy and play out of their minds. The depth isn’t there like it once was but the young forwards coming up are talented as Spooner and Pastrnak are going to be making names for themselves shortly. They don’t stand much of a chance as the team starts to change over their personnel.
Why They Won’t:
Pretty much the opposite of what I said above. They will more than likely struggle to make the playoffs and find themselves a fringe team. Tuukka Rask may be a saving grace but don’t expect much out of the team this year.
Florida Panthers
Why They Will:
Up there with the likes of the Islanders, the Panthers have one of the best young forward groups in the league and are looking to be a long-term contender. In a stacked Metro and Atlantic division are they going to be able to squeeze in? That only matters if the progression continues but they are up against it.
Why They Won’t:
Too many young players. No experience. They could develop into something better but that is tough to predict and rarely happens. Are the Panthers that team?
Toronto Maple Leafs
Why They Will:
Depth players excel at unheard of levels. It is going to be a long year, Maple Leafs fans.
Why They Won’t:
They’re only in the first couple years of a complete rebuild. They are starting from scratch and trying to do this the right way. It is going to take time but as of right now they are on the right track.
Buffalo Sabres
Why They Will:
Jack Eichel and Dan Bylsma are a match made in heaven, a la Bylsma and Crosby. They are nowhere near that level but could see a relationship blossoming similarly.
Why They Won’t:
Much like the Leafs, they are in the midst of a full rebuild and it is going to take some time. They are farther along in the process and should see more wins than the Leafs but no one knows exactly how the team will gel. As of right now, the odds are against them for another season.
