I’m not sold on the Islanders with how bad they’ve looked as of late. Who knows though that style of hockey has always worked for them come playoff time. Not really sold on the Leafs either, sure they look great but when’s the last time a team who hasn’t won a playoff round in forever won a cup? Usually a teams core needs to get a taste of what it takes to go deep before they actually win the cup. I’d be happy with making it out of the North.

I count 10 contenders from 3 divisions personally.

I realize you had to pick SOMEONE from the North, and Toronto is the best choice by far, but I wouldn't call them contenders. I'm not sold on the defense and I doubt Jack Campbell will be "the guy".

Yeah isles have slipped as of late. I haven’t counted them as a cup contender in 2019 or 2020 and they surprised me both years. I’ve learned my lesson not to count them out.

As for TML, this is their best shot in decades with the current division lineup. They likely play MTL in the first round and then WIN/EDM in the second round. Both should be likely wins.

Yup, no coincidence there

Panthers > Islanders

I know. Tbh I just didn’t wanna get grilled by leafs fans on here for not including them. they just have such an easy path (relatively speaking) to the conference finals.

Gotta add Florida. They're a different team this season.

Knew u were gonna chime in. Florida is missing their #1D for likely the playoffs unless they go on a deep run. Panthers just peg me as a team with a bunch of misfits/ over achievers. I’m not sold on them.
At least isles have proven they can go on a deep run with this core. They haven’t been playing great as of late; but 2019 and 2020 taught me to never count out NYI

That was the only team I had on the fence. See the above comment for my reasoning why

Yeah the isles always find a way, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a deep run.

Toronto could make a run you’re right, if they are able to handle their two first round opponents like they should they could come into the final four well rested and have an advantage over Tampa/Carolina Colorado/Vegas and whoever comes out of the East, the 2nd round is gonna be a slug fest in the 3 other divisions.

I’m also not sold on Florida either, I think Tampa and Carolina both have an extra gear where Florida has been over achieving all year, I’d love to see them make a run though.

That's fair, but I think it's pretty telling that even without our #1 defenseman we are top 3 in the Central, still able to beat top teams
A lot of our members have really stepped up this year, and Weegar has become one of the best defenseman in the nhl in ekblad's place
Goaltending is the one thing that I can see bringing us down, and possibly our underachievers on defense (stralman, yandle)

Exactly my reasoning. If TML is gonna end the drought, this is the year to do it

They were on the bubble for me. I was debating back and forth, but I figured if I had to debate, then they probably aren’t the favourites/ “true cup contenders”

Devils winning the cup

Also, the East Division is by far the best division

Yup. It would appear so. Devils would’ve finished higher in the standings if they played in a different division. They looked a lot better this year at times.

To be fair, you don't really need "the guy" to win the cup. You just need your goaltender to be hot, like Khudobin last playoffs or Jones and Murray a few seasons ago.

Florida?

In fairness Murray looked excellent in two cup runs. He fell right off sadly

I made a few other comments about FLA in the post if you scroll up

So did Binnington, but it's exactly why having a top goaltender isn't all that necessary.

Oh okay I see. Ekblad is definitely a huge loss!!

Difference is; Murray did it TWICE. Not to mention he had a very good regular season in 2016/17, and was setting records in the AHL before getting called up. The expectations for Murray were high. After the 2017 cup he looked like he was on the verge of a HOF career. Then he just absolutely lost it

100% agree TBH I think the biggest factor to winning the cup is being good and deep up the middle. Not even certain an outstanding D core is necessary, it can’t be awful but as long as it’s half decent and you’re good up the middle you have a shot.

Only recent team to win a cup without their #1D was…. You guessed it, 2017 pens