Stanley Cup Playoffs: Top 6 teams that desperately need the postseason

Which teams need the Stanley Cup Playoffs the most?

Qualifying for the NHL’s postseason and having a chance to win the Stanley Cup is what every team aims to achieve. However, not all opportunities are created equally. While some teams are just happy to earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, others are expected to make a deep run.

The odd circumstances surrounding the 2020 postseason appears as though it will give some teams new life, but it is those teams with aging cores and closing championship windows that need this season to resume more than others.

Here are some teams that desperately need these playoffs to happen in order to make a run at the Cup while they still can.

Honorable Mentions

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Edmonton Oilers: While Edmonton is not necessarily a young team, its core is, which gives the team a great chance for years to come. It is the trade deadline deals to (potentially) rent Andreas Athanasiou and Mike Green that make this postseason an important one for the Oilers.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Pens are a relatively young team, though the aging core means that every season counts. Yes, young talent will make this team dangerous for many years, but it is still important for Pittsburgh to get as many chances as possible to win with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

St. Louis Blues: Like the Penguins in 2017, the Blues bid for a repeat features a team almost identical to the one that won the Cup the season before. A winning group riding last year’s momentum is certainly one that St. Louis does not want to see be deprived of a postseason in 2020.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs’ core group of players is young, yet it has underachieved in the playoffs in recent years. Sure, young teams take time to reach their potential, but the Leafs may be running out of it.

With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares making a combined total of $33.5 million, and the reduced salary cap that will surely be in effect following this season, keeping the 2020 version of this team together may not be possible.

Even if the salary does not drop drastically, this team still has to deal with expiring contracts for Kyle Clifford, Jason Spezza, Cody Ceci, Tyson Barrie, and more. Put it all together, and Toronto needs a chance to win the Stanley Cup in 2020 before its team gets shaken up.

Vegas Golden Knights

It is odd to think that a team in its third season has its championship window closing, but in Vegas things moved quickly. Aging veterans like Marc-Andre Fleury (35), Paul Stastny (34), Max Pacioretty (31), and more, mixed with large salaries that could become problematic with a lower salary cap, means a win-now mentality.

Unlike other teams on this list, Vegas was not expected to be doing so well right now, but that does not change the fact that expectations are very high. Not to mention that if the prospect of hosting games in Vegas carries truth, the Golden Knights’ 2020 run could provide the team with an extra advantage.

Washington Capitals

Unlike the Maple Leafs, the Capitals core players are not young. Alex Ovechkin is 34, T.J. Oshie is 33, and Nicklas Backstrom is 32. Overall, this team is the seventh oldest group in the NHL heading into the playoffs, and if the San Jose Sharks, LA Kings, or Anaheim Ducks are any indication, today’s NHL does not treat aging teams well.

Not only that, but Washington will have a decision to make regarding Braden Holtby following this season. It took the Caps years to move beyond the second round, and it was this group that did it, but age and contracts make this playoff year possibly one of the last as a top contender in the Ovi-Backstrom era.

Dallas Stars

The Stars are the second oldest team in the NHL, having added veterans like Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry last offseason. The team’s scoring touch has already faded in recent years, but the defense has stepped up to be one of the best in the NHL.

That won’t last forever, though, as Ben Bishop is now 33 and players like Roman Polak, Andrej Sekera, and Anton Khudobin are due for new contracts. Dallas was one double overtime goal away from ending the Blues’ magic last year, and this year’s team is capable of taking the next step.

Time is running out though for Dallas, so 2020 is a crucial year to try to win the Stanley Cup.

Boston Bruins

Like the Stars and Capitals, the Bruins have a core group of players that will soon be well past their prime. David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are both 34, Tuukka Rask is 33, Brad Marchand is 32, and Zdeno Chara is approaching Jaromir Jagr territory.

Having reached game seven in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, and sitting in the Presidents’ Trophy position this regular season, Boston has shown that it is more than capable of winning it all this year.

As core players grow older and young talent requires new contracts, the issue is how many more seasons will this be the case?

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning entered its championship window when the team reached the Cup Final in 2015. Since then, Tampa Bay has lost in the Eastern Conference Final twice, missed the playoffs once, and might as well have missed them last year.

Now, though the team is relatively young, money will become a problem. Andrei Vasilevskiy will get a $6 million raise next year, and players like Anthony Cirelli, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Mikhail Sergachev are all due for new contracts.

Combine the need to spend more money with the likelihood of having less of it to spend following the stoppage, and you have a team that desperately needs a chance at the Cup before it has to make some difficult decisions.

The 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs taking place would be fantastic news for any team that qualifies. For those listed above, however, a return to play is desperately needed to maximize their chances of being crowned champions.