Dark-Horse Stanley Cup Contenders to Watch as the 2017 NHL Playoffs Near

With the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs a little more than a week away, fans and pundits will begin predicting which of the NHL's top teams could win it all. However, it's possible a dark-horse club, such as the Montreal Canadiens or the Edmonton Oilers, could surprise everyone by going all the way. 

Such clubs have roster weaknesses that tend to get them overlooked as serious Cup contenders. But through the grind of a two-month playoff march, their strengths could also rise to the fore. Solid goaltending, a superstar scorer or previous playoff experience are factors that could give them an edge against more favored opponents. 

Here's a look at the dark-horse Stanley Cup contenders to watch as the 2017 NHL playoffs approach. 

Boston Bruins

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The Boston Bruins have declined since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2013. They could make the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014. With 92 points in 79 games, they sit second in the Atlantic Division. 

Should the Bruins qualify, they could be a difficult opponent. Jockeying for a berth in recent weeks means they're already in a playoff mindset. As underdogs, they'll be under less pressure than their higher-seeded rivals.  

They possess experienced playoff leadership in veterans Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask, Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand, who are holdovers from their 2011 Stanley Cup championship club. Leading scorer Marchand is enjoying a career-best 39-goal, 85-point campaign. Younger Bruins David Pastrnak and Torey Krug have bolstered their offensive production. 

The Bruins aren't the dominant physical club they were in 2011 and 2013. However, they are playing much better since replacing Claude Julien as head coach with Bruce Cassidy on Feb. 7. With their veteran leadership, they could pull off a surprise or two this spring. 

Calgary Flames

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With 92 points in 79 games, the Calgary Flames hold one of the two wild-card berths in the Western Conference. Sitting 15th in goals for per game (2.73) and 14th in goals against per game (2.68) could hamper their hopes for a lengthy playoff run this spring. 

Momentum, however, could work in their favor. Since Feb. 1, the Flames are among the league's hottest teams. They won nine of 12 games in February and 10 of 14 in March to clinch a playoff berth. They're peaking at the right time. 

Left wing Johnny Gaudreau and starting goaltender Brian Elliott overcame injury and poor performances in the first half of the season. They've taken lead roles in the Flames' second-half resurgence, contributing to their solid power-play (20.6) and penalty-kill (81.3) percentages.

Having overcome early-season adversity to qualify for the postseason is a significant boost to the Flames' morale. If they can maintain their winning ways of the last two months, they have the potential to become a Stanley Cup dark horse. 

Edmonton Oilers

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With 97 points in 78 games, the Edmonton Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division. Despite this season's improvement, a lack of skill and experienced depth on their defense and checking lines could hurt them against a club with a deeper lineup.

Despite those issues, the Oilers possess significant offensive punch. Led by the top line of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon, the Oilers are ninth in goals for per game (2.91) and have the sixth-best power-play percentage (22.2).

Cam Talbot established himself this season as a starting goaltender, sitting among the league leaders in wins (40) and shutouts (seven). A healthy Oscar Klefbom and last summer's additions of Adam Larsson and Kris Russell stabilized the Oilers' blue line. 

Their defensive depth issues and a lack of playoff experience among their young stars remain factors the Oilers must overcome. Still, they have the components to make some noise in the postseason. It was an underdog Oilers club that marched to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. History could repeat itself 11 years later. 

Minnesota Wild

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With 100 points in 79 games, the Minnesota Wild are second in both the Central Division and the Western Conference standings. They hardly seem like dark-horse Cup contenders. But after winning only four of 16 games in March, they seem poised for another disappointing playoff performance.

This year, however, could be different. The Wild have an experienced head coach in Bruce Boudreau. He's also had his share of playoff disappointments and is motivated to reverse that trend. Despite struggling in March, Devan Dubnyk remains among the league's top goaltenders. Should he regain his form in the playoffs, the Wild will prove tough to beat. 

Led by Mikael Granlund, Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu, the Wild have the third-highest goals for per game (3.18). They're also among the top 10 in power play (20.5) and penalty-kill percentage (82.4).

The Wild's late-season swoon is cause for concern. But with their depth of talent at both ends of the ice, they could overcome this slump once the playoffs begin. Should they regain their winning ways, they could become a dark-horse Cup contender. 

Montreal Canadiens

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The Montreal Canadiens sit atop the Atlantic Division with 99 points in 78 games. Despite their lofty position, they're 16th in goals for per game (2.73) and 15th in penalty-kill percentage (80.8). They also lack skilled depth at center. Those factors could hurt their chances of staging a Stanley Cup run this spring.

What the Canadiens have, however, is one of the league's top goaltenders in Carey Price. When he's in peak form, he has the skill to carry his team to the Cup Final. They also have a well-respected blue-line stud in defenseman Shea Weber and one of the league's top goal scorers in captain Max Pacioretty. 

Since replacing head coach Michel Therrien with Claude Julien on Feb. 14, the Canadiens are on a tear. In Julien's 20 games behind the Habs bench, they have a record of 14 wins, five losses and one overtime loss. He has considerable playoff experience, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011 with the Boston Bruins. 

The Canadiens' weaknesses aren't to be glossed over. Their top players must rise to the occasion, and the roster must continue buying into Julien's game plan. If they can carry over their late-season momentum into the postseason, they could have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup this spring.

New York Rangers

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Stanley Cup finalists in 2014 and the Presidents' Trophy winner in 2015, the New York Rangers have a hold on a wild-card playoff berth this season with 100 points in 79 games. Despite reaching 100 points for the third straight season, their window for winning a Stanley Cup could be closing. 

Still, the Rangers have sufficient depth in talent to make them a dark-horse Cup contender this spring. Thanks to scorers such as J.T. Miller, Chris Kreider, Rick Nash and Michael Grabner, the Blueshirts are fourth in goals for per game (3.15). Alain Vigneault, who guided them to the Cup Final in 2014, remains their head coach. 

Longtime starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has had a difficult season, with a 2.75 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. However, he won 30 games for the 11th time this season. Should Lundqvist struggle in the postseason, backup Antti Raanta (2.26 GAA, .922 save percentage) can replace him.

The Rangers aren't as strong as they were two years ago. However, they still have sufficient depth in firepower and goaltending to be a dangerous playoff opponent. 

St. Louis Blues

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The St. Louis Blues are third in the Central Division with 93 points in 78 games. While they've clinched a playoff spot, they're well below last season's 107-point performance. No longer one of the top clubs in the Western Conference, their roster lacks the depth of experienced talent that carried them to the 2016 Conference Final. 

Despite their lower placement in this year's standings, the Blues aren't to be taken lightly in the 2017 playoffs. Since Mike Yeo replaced Ken Hitchcock as head coach on Feb. 1, the Blues' performance has improved. They won 11 of 15 games in March and picked up points in all but one of their last 10 games.

Led by right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues are eighth in power-play percentage (21.6). They're also sixth in penalty-killing (84.3) and given up the sixth-fewest shots against per game (28.1). After struggling through December and January, starting goalie Jake Allen has regained his form down the stretch. 

The Blues still lack the experienced leadership and toughness of departed stars David Backes and Troy Brouwer. But they've overcome the midseason slump that threatened to derail their postseason hopes. Having reached the Conference Final last season, they could be poised to take the next step this spring. 

Standings, player and team stats (as of April 2) via NHL.com.