NHL Playoffs 2015: Analyzing Stanley Cup Odds for Every Remaining Team

Although the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs has yet to reach its conclusion, the picture is getting much clearer with regard to which two teams might ultimately do battle for the most famous trophy in sports.   

Both Eastern Conference series are still playing out, while the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks have advanced to the Western Conference Final where an opportunity to play for Lord Stanley's Cup will be on the line. Every team that is still alive possesses qualities that make them Stanley Cup contenders, but some are certainly more likely than others.

Here is a breakdown of the current Stanley Cup odds for every team remaining in the field, along with further analysis for the top contenders.

Odds to Win Stanley Cup

Team	Odds
Chicago Blackhawks	9-4
Anaheim Ducks	9-4
New York Rangers	4-1
Tampa Bay Lightning	5-1
Washington Capitals	10-1
Montreal Canadiens	10-1

Analyzing Top Contenders

Chicago Blackhawks

John Russell/Getty Images

No team has enjoyed more postseason success than the Blackhawks in recent years, which is why they have been installed as the co-favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Many felt as though Chicago would make it this far entering the playoffs, but there was some uncertainty since it finished behind both the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators in the Central Division. The Blackhawks have powered past both the Preds and the Minnesota Wild, though.

According to James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail, this certainly isn't unfamiliar territory for the Hawks:

They have a ton of playoff experience, and most of their roster knows what it takes to win it all. Forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Brad Richards have all achieved playoff greatness. The same can be said for defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, goaltender Corey Crawford and so many others as well.

Chicago's winning track record is huge since it means the team won't be uncomfortable under any circumstances. The Blackhawks are especially adept at winning at home, though, as they have yet to lose within the confines of the United Center in these playoffs, per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times:

Since the Ducks have been equally good at home, the Western Conference Final figures to be extremely competitive. Both teams have enjoyed spectacular seasons, which is why the odds cannot differentiate between them.

Based on the fact that the Blackhawks have the experience, though, they have to be considered the likelier of the two teams to go the distance.

Anaheim Ducks

Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images

The Blackhawks may have the more recent history when it comes to going deep in the playoffs, but this has been the Ducks' season thus far. In addition to being the top team in the Western Conference during the regular season, Anaheim has dropped just one game through two series.

According to NHL Public Relations, the Ducks are currently in the midst of their most successful playoff run in team history:

That includes their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007, which says a lot about how locked in Anaheim is right now. Perhaps the biggest reason for that has been the play of winger Corey Perry, who is arguably the front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy at this juncture with a league-leading 15 points.

Perry scored the overtime winner in Game 5 against the Calgary Flames to advance to the Western Conference Final. That almost didn't happen, though, as the Canadian superstar appeared to be injured due to a knee-on-knee collision with Matt Stajan.

He managed to return, however, and he seems to believe that he dodged a major bullet, per Kristen J. Shilton of USA Today:

"

You see things like that (in hockey), but I didn't know how serious (my injury) was and I was just trying to get back for the next shift and let the chips fall. It worked out for the best. We didn't want to go back to Calgary. We wanted to take it here and get some rest before the (next series). We really didn't want to go back.

"

Provided Perry is healthy, the Ducks have a fighting chance to beat the Blackhawks and eventually win the Stanley Cup. Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler are two additional playoff veteran forwards who have been pulling their weight as well, and that type of depth makes Anaheim a tough out.

With a talented group of defensemen and the solid play of goalie Frederik Andersen as well, Anaheim has everything a team needs in order to go the distance.

New York Rangers

Jared Silber/Getty Images

Things are far less certain on the Eastern Conference side as all four teams that advanced to the second round are still alive. The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, while the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals will meet in a decisive Game 7 Wednesday.

The Blueshirts were down 3-1, but after consecutive wins, they are now in position to close out the series on home ice. Momentum is undoubtedly on their side, but the Caps are strangely confident despite blowing a two-game lead.

According to Monumental Network (h/t Chris Peters of CBSSports.com), Alex Ovechkin has no doubt that his team will rise to the occasion in Game 7: "We're going to come back and win the series. The character in this group is way too high. We're going to play our game and we're going to come back and we're going to play Montreal or Tampa."

Perhaps that confidence stems from the fact that the Rangers nearly blew a three-goal lead in Game 6. The Capitals seemed done, but they were able to cut the lead to 4-3 before ultimately losing the contest.

Per War on Ice (via ESPN.com's Katie Strang), the Caps were aided by New York's inability to generate any type of offense down the stretch:

That is somewhat disconcerting for Rangers fans, but they should be able to put it behind them after such a big win. They have plenty of talent up front thanks to the likes of Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Martin St. Louis, Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard and others.

What truly sets New York apart, though, is the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist. King Henrik was arguably the biggest factor in the Rangers reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year, and he'll have to come up big once again moving forward.

If Lundqvist is at his best, then it is tough to argue against the Rangers being the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

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