NHL: Stanley Cup Chances of Each Team
The NHL trade deadline is tomorrow and when we think of that, we also think of the playoffs being right around the corner.
Teams have about 20 games left on their schedules, and many pushing for a playoff spot.
Some teams are favorites, while some are sleepers and contenders.
Here are the chances of each team to win the Stanley Cup.
Anaheim Ducks
1 of 30
5 percent
The Ducks have been an up-and-down team for most of the season, and now they are one point out of a playoff spot.
The Ducks were seen to be a team that would finish in the bottom of the West, but with a strong start to the season, they have given themselves a chance to make the playoffs.
Also, the Ducks are a very good team in the playoffs when they do make it.
Atlanta Thrashers
2 of 30
2 percent
The Thrashers have been in talks of getting relocated because of poor team and fan performance.
They started the season hot and a big reason was the stellar play of Dustin Byfuglien.
But lately, the Thrashers have played like we expected them to and are on the outside looking in, four points out of a playoff spot.
The franchise has never won a playoff game and I don't expect them to anytime soon.
Boston Bruins
3 of 30
12 percent
The Boston Bruins—and especially Tim Thomas—are back and kickin' this season as they currently hold the third spot in the East.
They started the season rather lethargic and were around the middle of the pack most of the season.
Lately, the team has found its groove and have shot up in the standings. With the pick up of Tomas Kaberle, don't expect them to drop.
The Bruins need to show that they can go deep in the playoffs, and this could be the year they do it.
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Buffalo Sabres
4 of 30
4 percent
The Sabres finished third in the East last year and were expected to do about the same this year.
But it has not been the same.
The Sabres started off the season inconsistent and shaky, and the mediocre play of Ryan Miller doesn't help.
They are currently two points back of a playoff spot with games in hand, which could be the difference-maker.
If the Sabres get in, you have to give them respect if you are the opposition, even though the last couple playoff appearances have been disappointing.
Calgary Flames
5 of 30
5 percent
The Flames were all but out 40 games into the season. But they have shown they can be a playoff team— and a dangerous one at that.
Calgary is currently sixth in the West and if they can hold a playoff spot, look for them to be dangerous in April.
Also look for the Flames' management to make a move at the deadline that could affect the rest of their season drastically.
Carolina Hurricanes
6 of 30
4 percent
The Hurricanes have been a team that can be very good or just down right sloppy. Carolina holds the eighth seed in the East and if they want to hold onto it, they need to buckle down defensively.
They have been one of the worst defensive teams all season and have the most goals given up of any team in a playoff spot right now.
Look for Carolina to maybe make a move at the deadline to help the out on the back end.
If I were in the top of the East, I would not want to face Carolina, as we have seen the can be a deadly playoff team.
Chicago Blackhawks
7 of 30
6 percent
The Blackhawks have been a disappointing team to fan and franchise expectations this season.
Chicago captured its first Stanley Cup last year for the first time since 1961. They were expected to keep that momentum going into this season, but with many offseason changes, it seems they had lost the spark.
As of late, it seems the team is getting used to what they have to work with. If the Hawks make the playoffs, you for sure cannot count them out as reigning champs.
Chicago needs to figure out the defensive side of the team and realize what it needs to do between the pipes come playoff time.
Colorado Avalanche
8 of 30
.01 percent
The Avalanche had been a team contending for a playoff spot all season. As of last week, they have gone into the basement.
The Avalanche fell apart and went a dreadful 1-8-1 in their last 10 games to drop to the 14th spot in the West.
They are currently 13 points back from a playoff spot and and have only 19 games left.
I'm not saying it's impossible to make a run at it; I'm just saying it likely wont happen.
I think the Avs are just looking to maybe make a deal or two before the deadline and look to refuel for next season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
9 of 30
1 percent
The Blue Jackets started out the season like they never have before—first in the West a quarter into the season.
Then we saw the Jackets we are used to seeing...losing more than winning and probably not a playoff team.
However, the Jackets have found their game again and have fought back to be four points out of a playoff spot. I think Columbus could sneak into the postseason in the last game or two of the season and find themselves in their second playoff berth in franchise history.
Columbus has never won a game in the playoffs and I don't think they will win too many this season, either.
Then again, I have been fooled before.
Dallas Stars
10 of 30
3 percent
Dallas was predicted to be nothing all season and not make an impact at all.
The Stars saw it differently in "Big D," though. They held onto the lead in the Pacific Division all season until lately; they have been dropping and fast. They went from third to 11th in two days.
The Stars are just experiencing what every team does over the course of the season...a slump. They have been playing well again and got the season going back on track as they hold the eight seed in the West.
Dallas picked up Alex Goligoski, who has been proving to be a good deal for Dallas thus far.
If the Stars make a huge trade with a big-name player like Brad Richards, they could be in trouble for the push.
Don't count this team out until they are mathematically gone.
Detroit Red Wings
11 of 30
16 percent
Let's face it: The Red Wings have been the best team in the NHL for the past 20 years.
Not guaranteed yet, but the team is likely to make their 20th-straight playoff appearance, as it is a current sports record. The Red Wings have been playing like we expected them to and are one of the top teams in the league again.
Detroit is second right now in the West and could still take the first seed from Vancouver. With Mike Modano returning from injury for four months, the Wings look like they could make another deep playoff run.
The only question is, can Jimmy Howard step up and be the man for Detroit in net?
Edmonton Oilers
12 of 30
0 percent
It's not official, but the Oilers will not make the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
They have been in the bottom of the West all season and have been the only team that really hasn't contended for a spot. They currently have 48 points, which is a league low.
Edmonton has been in a rebuilding stage for a couple of years now and it seems like it hasn't got any better since then. However, this season has shown young talents like Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall, who could be a huge piece to this rebuilding process.
Look for the Oilers to maybe move some older bodies before the deadline and try to pick up some young talent for their bright future.
Florida Panthers
13 of 30
.05 percent
The Panthers have played like they have for the past nine seasons—mediocre and missing the playoffs.
Florida always seems to get somewhat close but never fully reaches it and in return doesn't get a high draft pick.
Florida is currently eight points out of a playoff spot and isn't showing the fire it needs to push into it. They can definitely make a run at it, but it isn't looking like they will with sloppy play lately.
Florida may also get rid of some good talent at the deadline that could hurt its chances of making the playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings
14 of 30
7.5 percent
Los Angeles was a team predicted to be at the top of the West come season's end. But with sluggish play, they were below the eighth spot for most of the season.
Now, they are playing to their potential and showing what they can really do.
The Kings are fifth in the West and four points away from the Pacific Division lead. Look for the Kings to make the playoffs and maybe go deep in it.
L.A has had a problem with scoring all year, so look for them to maybe go for a big-name forward at the deadline to help them put the puck in the net.
The Kings have never been known as a playoff team and could maybe exit early.
Then again, they could go to the finals for the first time since 1993 if they keep this play up.
Minnesota Wild
15 of 30
2 percent
Minnesota has been back and forth all season long and been on winning and losing streaks.
The Wild have won and lost most their games in tight low scoring affairs. They were toward the bottom all year but now hold the seventh spot in the West.
The team can make the playoffs and could turn some heads in the process, but the Wild are not deep enough offensive or defensively to make a run at the Cup.
They would also struggle with a first-round matchup with likely opponents as Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose.
Too much power for them to handle and not enough playoff experience to go deep.
Montreal Canadiens
16 of 30
5 percent
Montreal always seems to be a contender for a playoff spot, no matter how much talent it lacks.
The Canadiens have been in the top part of the East all season; look for them to be when the season comes to an end.
They are sixth in the East and from last year's showing, all they need is an eight spot to prove themselves.
With a crowd on their side and always plenty to play for, the Canadiens can make another deep playoff run and have all the right tools to do it.
Nashville Predators
17 of 30
2.5 percent
Nashville is and has been an underrated and overlooked team all season. They have consistently been in a spot for most of the season and are in a four-way tie for the last spot with 72 points.
With the pick up of Mike Fisher, they have added a strong presence on the offensive end and could be a key element of them making the playoffs.
Nashville should be done for the deadline but you never know anymore what they could do to make the playoff push shake up.
The Predators have never won a playoff series in franchise history and do not have many players with a playoff mindset, which could be costly if they do make it.
New Jersey Devils
18 of 30
.06 percent
You might think I'm crazy giving them a chance, but the truth is...they have a chance.
From the start of the season, the Devils played miserable, uninspired hockey. The season seemed a lost cause, even more so when Devils GM Lou Lamoriello requested a forfeit of their season.
Now the Devils have turned it up big-time and have been the hottest team in hockey since the new year.
The Devils are 9-1 in their last 10 and show no signs of slowing down.
They are currently nine points out of the eight spot in the west and have twenty games remaining on their schedule.
I believe New Jersey could make a push at this and sneak in on maybe the last game of the season. And it isn't crazy to think so with all the talent they have on the roster.
The return of injured Zach Parise makes them even more dangerous.
All you Devils fans keep saying to yourself, "Believe."
New York Islanders
19 of 30
0 percent
The Islanders were supposed to be a basement team at the beginning of the season, but they were on fire the first 10 games of the season.
Then reality struck and the Islanders fell to where they were supposed to be with a huge losing streak.
New York has had another disappointing season and now is even in talks of leaving Long Island, but we will have to see what happens with that.
Look for the Islanders to try to get settled in the offseason and maybe pick up some talent for next season.
New York Rangers
20 of 30
3.5 percent
The Rangers have been the team they always are every year—In a moderate playoff position. New York struggled with some injuries and hit a bit of a rough patch during it.
Now they seem that they will make the playoffs as they hold onto the seventh spot in the East.
New York doesn't seem like it will make another move, as they required some needed help on defense with the pick up of Bryan McCabe.
Look for the Rangers to maybe sneak out of the first round and make a deep playoff run, unlike past years.
Ottawa Senators
21 of 30
0 percent
The Senators have maybe been hockey's most disappointing team this season. They started the season like the always do; a threat to make the playoffs.
However, they have been flat and downright bad as the second half kicked in.
They are last in the East with 51 points. Now Ottawa is just looking forward to next season, as it seems to want to sell its entire roster at the deadline.
Look for Ottawa to be back next season.
Philadelphia Flyers
22 of 30
15 percent
The Flyers have been one of the NHL's elite all season. Look for that to come over into the playoffs.
They seem to be on a mission after last year's Stanley Cup Finals loss.
With the recent addition of Kris Versteeg, they added to an already dangerous offense and got some help with the defensive side.
The Flyers are looking good and might be looking to get better at the deadline with another big pickup to their already deadly roster.
Look for them to go deep in the playoffs.
Phoenix Coyotes
23 of 30
2 percent
The Coyotes surprised everyone last year with their great season and fourth seed in the playoffs.
Now again they have surprised many with another great season.
They are currently fourth in the West and have been back and forth with the lead in the Pacific Division.
The Coyotes haven't won a playoff series since going to Phoenix in 1996. Look for that to change this year, as they could get that first playoff series win.
I don't think the Coyotes are looking to make a deal at the deadline, so look for this core to try to make a run at it.
Pittsburgh Penguins
24 of 30
7 percent
The Penguins have been hit with the most costly injuries out of any team this season.
That proves to be showing as they Penguins have gone out and got James Neal and Alexi Kovalev to help out with all the missing bodies. Those bodies include Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.
Pittsburgh, however, has the experience to make the playoffs. And when Crosby gets back, they could do some damage.
Until then we will have to wait and see how this team reacts to the diversity it is facing.
It could prove to be a good thing; it could prove to be a dagger.
We will just have to wait and see.
San Jose Sharks
25 of 30
7 percent
The Sharks were a team for the first half of the season that made you say, "How?"
Now they are playing like we expected and hold the third spot in the West. The Sharks offense has been invisible at times and has relied on the defense to step up.
The Sharks could make a move at the deadline to help them. One of those moves could be in net; with Niittymaki and Niemi playing inconsistently all season, the team may look to make a deal for a new goalie.
Look for San Jose to maybe capitalize on last year's Western Conference and go deep.
St. Louis Blues
26 of 30
1 percent
The Blues were a very good team at the beginning of the season.
That was five months ago.
Now they are out looking in, seven points out of a playoff spot. St. Louis can still make it, but it is looking less and less likely every game.
They are not playing with the intensity they need to. And with Brad Boyes going to Buffalo for a second -round pick, it looks like they are looking toward next year.
I'm not saying they're giving up, but it kind of looks like it lately.
Even if they did make it, I wouldn't expect them to go very far.
Tampa Bay Lightning
27 of 30
10 percent
The Lightning have been a nice surprise, showing that hockey is back in Tampa. With Steven Stamkos showing he will be one of the best players in the next 15 years, it's hard to believe they don't have a chance.
Tampa Bay is second in the East with 81 points. They have been at the top all season; look for them to be there in 20 more games.
The only problem with the Lightning is shaky defensive play.
The Lightning are only a plus-1 in goal differential this season, which is kind of strange looking at their position.
This seems to mean they are getting blown out when losing, which cant happen in the playoffs.
Tampa looks to be quiet for the rest of the deadline after acquiring Eric Brewer from the St. Louis Blues. It needs to sharpen up defensively if it wants to get its second Cup in franchise history.
Toronto Maple Leafs
28 of 30
0.5 percent
Toronto was supposed to be somewhat of a decent team this year, and that's what they have been.
Four points out of a playoff spot, they still have a chance. Brian Burke's changes at the deadline could shake up this team.
The Maple Leafs haven't made the playoffs since the league returned in 2005-2006. They can make it, but my guess is they don't.
And even if they do make it, I wouldn't expect them to do anything special.
Vancouver Canucks
29 of 30
15 percent
Vancouver has been the best team in the West almost all year and have been back and forth for the league's top spot.
The Canucks were supposed to be as good as they are and they have proved they deserve the praise.
They shouldn't be looking to make a move at the deadline, especially with Kevin Bieksa is injured. They have a good core of players, but the only thing I think they need is some help with secondary scoring.
The Sedins, of course, score left and right and other scorers such as Samuelsson and Kesler do their part. But the four or five forwards will not cut it come playoff time.
I think they need a big secondary scorer to become a team that can go deeper than the second round.
Washington Capitals
30 of 30
8 percent
The Capitals have had somewhat of an up-and-down season. They have gone from losing eight straight to great 10-game stretches and also winning the Winter Classic.
Washington has been an elite team for the past two or three years and is one of the best this year.
But they fail to show up in the playoffs. Since Ovechkin has been with the Capitals, he has been in the playoffs three times. He has made the second round once.
This year could be the breakout year for him and the Capitals.
The Caps got Scott Hannan from the Avalanche earlier in the season for some much-needed help on defense. The team could make another move to help them out on their offense, which has been non-existent for a lot of the season.
I guess we will all see if Ovechkin and his team can finally start going far in the playoffs.
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