3/4 Poll - The Stanley Cup

[elocomotive]

Going to make a few of these polls this week to see what teams and individuals are going to take home awards, divisions, and the Cup as we head for the home stretch in the NHL season.

Even in a sport where anything is possible once the playoffs start, there doesn't seem to be anything resembling a favorite this year. To make it easier, I've noted which teams have wins in the bank going into the playoffs. (Teams in poll ordered by current points in standings, top 8 current teams)

So what team do you think wins it and why?

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

That's uh....that's a fine list there, eloco.

 

[pixburgher66]

Going with other...because there's like three solid options not listed. I'll brag about this later on.

 

[elocomotive]

That's uh....that's a fine list there, eloco.

?

I just took the current top 8 teams in the league.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

?

I just took the current top 8 teams in the league.

I know, but it's missing 4 of the current top 10 favourites (even if one of those is Chicago and they're kinda screwed).

 

[elocomotive]

I know, but it's missing 4 of the current top 10 favourites (even if one of those is Chicago and they're kinda screwed).

They are all included in "Other."

I went with an objective standard, not a subjective one. Believe me, I'd love to put the Caps on that list.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

They are all included in "Other."

I went with an objective standard, not a subjective one. Believe me, I'd love to put the Caps on that list.

Was wondering where they were....

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Isles FTW!

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I voted for the Rangers half because sadly I think they may win it and half because I hope to jinx them. Let's hope Lundqvist is rusty and Nash becomes invisible again.

 

[elocomotive]

If you voted for other, I'd love to hear who you voted for and why.

I also voted for the Rangers. I just think they've been really good in the second half and they seem really well built for the playoffs. I can't see any team in the East as a heavy favorite to make the finals though, I honestly think all of them are capable and it's going to be a really tight bunch of playoff series this year.

 

[stealth]

I voted for the Rangers half because sadly I think they may win it and half because I hope to jinx them. Let's hope Lundqvist is rusty and Nash becomes invisible again.

 

[pixburgher66]

If you voted for other, I'd love to hear who you voted for and why.

I also voted for the Rangers. I just think they've been really good in the second half and they seem really well built for the playoffs. I can't see any team in the East as a heavy favorite to make the finals though, I honestly think all of them are capable and it's going to be a really tight bunch of playoff series this year.

I'm bad at choosing, but I agree that there's not really a clear favorite, and I don't think there's a clear favorite in either conference. The Rangers certainly got better with Yandle, but for some reason I don't have a great feeling about them. But Nash could certainly carry their offense. In the west there's the Preds, but (and this probably isn't fair) they have such limited playoff experience. Anaheim seems to be too inconsistent in goal, the Blues...I have no idea what to make of them and God forbid they draw the Hawks. The Hawks seem to be in a weird spot at the moment too, but hard to dispute their successes. Everyone always brings up the Kings because "they just want to play in the playoffs!", but I struggle believing they can *again* sleepwalk their way into the "exciting" part of the year. I like Detroit a good bit, and MTL will go as far as Price takes them. Oh, and as tough as the Isles play the Pens, unless Halak carries them, I don't see them getting to the SCF.