NHL Predictions: Top 10 Most Likely Stanley Cup Matchups

That's right.  On Friday, November 5th, we're already going there.

We have a good grasp on each team by now.  A popular theory is if you look at the NHL standings on Thanksgiving Day, they don't change much between then and the end of the season.  Thanksgiving is only three weeks away!

Here are the ten most likely matchups you'll see when you turn on your television in June to catch the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Washington Capitals

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 1: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks watches the puck go wide of the net during NHL action against the New Jersey Devils on November 01, 2010 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by R

Watching the Capitals forwards such as Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin take their shots at Vancouver net-minder Roberto Luongo would be great June drama.  It would be the Stanley Cup debut for all three of those stars.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 1, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flyers defeat the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo by Mike S

The Flyers had an amazing run to the Stanley Cup finals last postseason without much stability in net.  Why not do it with 22-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky?

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Detroit Red Wings

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 30: Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings skates in a game against the Nashville Predators on October 30,2010 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit , Michigan. The Wings defeated the Predators 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images

The Detroit Red Wings haven't made the Stanley Cup finals since—gasp—2009!  Talk about a drought.  It'd be interesting to see how good-guy Pavel Datsyuk would deal with the likes of Daniel Carcillo for seven games.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 03: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a Capitals goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Verizon Center on November 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

This is my personal favorite.  I would love to see Alex Ovechkin and Co. try and capture their first Stanley Cup title in Hockeytown.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vancouver Canucks

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 16: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin against the Sedin twins.  Crosby would be looking for his second Stanley Cup ring at 23.  He could win the Stanley Cup on the same ice that he scored the overtime goal in the gold medal game against the USA last February.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 21: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings makes a third period save while playing the Calfary Flames on October 21, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Outside of Detroit's net-minder, this would be a legit rematch of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals.  Both teams' cores are not too much different than the teams they were 16 months ago.

Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Campbell #51 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on November 3, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Devils defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

If Ovechkin really wants that elusive Stanley Cup, he and the Capitals would have to go up against the defending Stanley Cup champions and take their championship belts from them.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 03: Fernando Pisani #15 of the Chicago Blackhawks shoots the puck against the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on November 3, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Devils defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

The past two Stanley Cup champions would meet in this matchup.  Could the Blackhawks make it two straight, or could the Penguins take two of the last three and start up the dynasty talk?

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes on November 1, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flyers defeat the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo by Mike

The Penguins and Red Wings had back-to-back finals in 2008 and 2009.  Wouldn't it be cool if the Flyers and Blackhawks met up again this year? 

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 04: Marc Methot #3 of the Columbus Blue Jackets reacts after scoring a goal against the Atlanta Thrashers with Rostislav Klesla #97 at Philips Arena on November 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

OK, this isn't likely.  But it'd be nice to see.  It could really help the league grow for the long-term if two small-market teams were in the finals.  Get some of those rather unknown names out there, rather than the same names like Crosby and Ovechkin getting hammered into our heads over and over.