2011 NHL Playoffs: Remaining Teams' Chances at a Stanley Cup

As the second round continues to surprise people, some teams are emerging as frontrunners for the Stanley Cup, while others are beginning to show weaknesses that could be detrimental to their playoff run.

Here is a look at the remaining teams and what chances they have of bringing home Lord Stanley's Cup at this point in the playoffs.

These are my own opinions and technically could change as early as tonight so don't think to deeply about my picks.

8. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Brian Boucher #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers surveys the action between the Flyers and the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on Ap

With question marks in net and an already big hill to climb against the Boston Bruins, I see the Flyers' Stanley Cup slowly slipping away.

The Flyers have not played to their potential. With most of their core from last season in tact, the Flyers were looking great midseason, holding the No. 1 spot in the East and dominating their opponents. But their play has slowly eroded after a long and scary series against the Buffalo Sabres that ended in seven games.

The Flyers then had to take on the Bruins who were also coming off a long series of their own. Although Boston was tested in a seven-game marathon against the Canadiens, this hasn't seemed to effect Vezina-candidate goaltender, Tim Thomas. Thomas is coming off of a 52-save performance in Game 2 that watched the Bruins defeat the Flyers in overtime.

The Flyers will have to turn the series around IN Boston. Even if Philly can somehow get out of the second round, they will have to face either a well-defended Tampa Bay Lightning team or the offensive powerhouse Washington Capitals.

7. Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 01: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals makes a save against Ryan Malone #6 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinal during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on M

Michal Neuvirth looks to have stumbled after an impressive first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the offensive-minded Capitals focusing more on defense and less on goal-scoring, he will have to do better than just 20 saves per game.

Washington has lost both of their first two games as well as home-ice advantage against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Their offense has been weak and Niklas Backstrom has forgotten to show up in this series.

Unless the Caps can figure out how to beat Dwayne Roloson and Neuvy can regain his confidence, the Caps are looking at yet another playoff disappointment.

6. Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 01: Antti Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks stops a shot taken by Daniel Cleary #11 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 1, 2011 in San

There are only two reasons why the Detroit Red Wings are ranked above Philly and Washington in this article. First, they lost both of their first two games on the road and now head home to try and make a comeback, whereas the Flyers and Caps both blew their home-ice advantage. The second reason is goaltender Jimmy Howard.

Howard has played unbelievable so far in the playoffs and had given the Red Wings a chance to win both games. The Red Wings looked sloppy and undisciplined taking bad penalties in the offensive zone while making terrible breakout passes from the defensive end.

If the Wings can turn around and take the Sharks out, they will have a solid shot at the Cup but will still have to defeat either the regular season juggernaut Vancouver Canucks or the upstart Nashville Predators.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up before the game against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinal during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Verizon Center on April 29, 20

Here is where the rankings start to get a bit murky. Tampa Bay has already ousted the Pittsburgh Penguins and are already halfway through the Washington Capitals, two favorites in the East, but I still don't believe they have what it takes to win the Cup. Well let me rephrase that, they have what it takes, they just aren't using it.

Steven Stamkos has just not been performing the way he should be in the playoffs. The Lightning are only where they are now because of Vincent Lecavalier and Dwayne Roloson. They have carried the Bolts so far along with the third and fourth lines.

I'm not counting TB out, they do have a solid chance, but once it comes down to it I don't think they have what it takes to take out the top teams from the West.

4. Nashville Predators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 30: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks watches his puck slide wide past goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley

At this point Pekka Rinne looks like he could win the Stanley Cup all by himself. He has been incredible in the first two games against the Canucks and if he can keep it up they may upset Vancouver. If they do end up taking out the Canucks, Nashville immediately moves to the top of this list.

The only reason they sit one place behind Vancouver is because I still don't see them breaking through Luongo consistently enough to overpower the insane offense of the Canucks. With all of Vancouver's firepower coming down on Rinne, it is only a matter of time before they break through the Vezina finalist.

If the Preds can solve Luongo and put up two or three goals a game, they will have a solid shot at offing the Canucks. Otherwise the Preds will be golfing after the second round.

3. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 21: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks watches the third period of Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Chicago Blackhawks from the bench with Alexandre Burrows #14 during the 2011 NHL Stan

If it weren't for Alex Burrows, I think the second round would have a completely different look, one that included the Chicago Blackhawks. He has been on fire the past four games and with Roberto Luongo backing him up, the Canucks look to have a good chance at winning this year's Stanley Cup.

They have some big hills to climb first, starting with the Predators. Even with the Predators low-scoring offense, the Canucks will not beat them by scoring a goal a game. They need to solve Pekka Rinne and start producing.

The Canucks have not been the same team in the playoffs as they were in the regular season and unless they can find that stride again, this ranking may be too high for them.

2. San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 01: Antti Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save on a shot taken by Daniel Cleary #11 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 1, 20

Could this finally be the year for the San Jose Sharks? It very well could be. With a 2-0 lead on the Detroit Red Wings and their top line finally starting to produce a bit in the playoffs the Sharks are going to be one tough team to contend with.

Antti Niemi has provided the Sharks with the backbone they have needed to string together some wins and with Vancouver showing signs of weakness and the Predators having a low-scoring offense, the Sharks may just have the formula needed to take home the Cup this year.

1. Boston Bruins

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Goalie Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins stops a shot by Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells

The only Eastern Conference team I have ranked in the top half of the remaining teams is one that I could see taking home the Cup this year. Think about it, they have not had a problem with Philly so far, and assuming they move to the next round, they will face either the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Washington Capitals. If the Caps pull it out, they will have fought a long hard series against the Bolts and if the Lightning win, they will have to face Tim Thomas.

Assuming the Bruins make it to the Finals, I believe that they are the only Eastern team that can compete with the West, and I think they have the ability to win it all. Tim Thomas has been simply incredible. Setting the record for best save percentage in the regular season, he has shown he is ready to be a Cup contending goaltender in the playoffs as well.