NHL: Three Sleeper Picks To Win The Stanley Cup In 2022
The 2021-22 Stanley Cup Playoffs are already just around the corner. The season is about to reach its halfway point, and with the ever-evolving status of the NHL standings, the teams that will make the playoffs are largely up for debate.
For a long time, the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and more have dominated the predictions for eventual Stanley Cup Champions year after year. However, despite how often people try to guess how each round will unfold, there are no guarantees in playoff hockey. Most likely, this year will be no different.
Three teams are currently barely in a playoff spot or not in one altogether that could contend for the Stanley Cup this postseason. While there would have to be several guarantees to ensure each team gets a shot at Lord Stanley’s cup, it is not outside the realm of possibility with how these teams have been playing.
Oh, and to spice up the list, anyone who did well in the playoffs in the 2020-21 season is exempt. Making the playoffs and going far in back-to-back years is not exactly the most “sleeper” move.
The Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings boomed out of nowhere. This year was supposed to be the beginning of a better year for them, yet they managed to exceed all expectations and push for a playoff spot. The Pacific division standings dramatically shift all the time. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames have fallen below the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks. Consistency is not present in the Pacific division.
Without a doubt, the most significant contributing factor to the resurgence of the Kings is Johnathan Quick, Drew Doughty, and Anze Kopitar returning to form. Each of these veterans was considered to be on the decline for years. Despite that, each of them has bounced back tremendously. Quick regained the starting-goalie position, and Kopitar and Doughty are burying pucks at super-star rates.
The main issue for the Kings is inconsistency on the goal-scoring front. Kopitar currently leads the team in points with 36 in 41 games. However, there is a quick drop-off in point totals outside the top five. If they can make some deals to gather more players for a playoff run, they have a decent shot at winning the Stanley Cup for the third time in ten years.
The Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild pulled their act together out of thin air last season. Despite being a first-round exit against the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Wild seemed to be turning the corner. The 2022 season so far has felt like the revenge tour of the Wild. The central division is a beast so far, but the Wild have been keeping up in the race to the top.
Various factors are contributing to the success of the Wild thus far. However, Kirill Kaprizov has undoubtedly been the most valuable asset on the team. He has been dynamite on skates this season. He currently leads the team in points with 44 in 34 games. Up to this point, his $9,000,000 annual-average-value contract seems to be a massive hit for the organization going forward.
The goaltending tandem the Wild have had this season has been incredibly effective. Cam Talbot has been taking most of the starts and has decent numbers to back him up. That being said, Kähkönen has put up even better numbers despite having fewer starts. As a result, the Wild have their net presence locked down, and they give the team a decent chance of success in the postseason.
If the Wild manage to win the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it will be their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. That being said, some adjustments still need to be made. The Wild are still lacking on goal scorers. While they certainly have more offensive firepower than the Kings do, they could use more goal support from the blue-line. If they find their footing, they could be a massive threat in this year’s playoffs.
The Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks did not have a good 2021-22 season start. Despite having all the talent needed to win games, something refused to click for the squad. However, Travis Green was relieved of his head coaching position on Dec. 6, 2021. When Bruce Boudreau took over, things began to turn around.
The Canucks have entirely revamped their season. What was once a dumpster fire has become a contained, tiny garbage can fire. Getting off to the rough start has made playoff hopes less plausible than other teams, but they have done a great job keeping their heads held high and continuing the battle. If the St. Louis Blues can win the cup after a lousy start, anyone can.
Thatcher Demko has been the rock that stabilizes the Canucks this season. He has been phenomenal between the pipes, even when the rest of the team struggled to perform. As a result, goaltending is far from an issue with the Canucks.
Oddly enough, the star players on the Canucks have been silent this season. Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat have been well below a point-per-game. Yet, oddly enough, J.T. Miller has been the leading point producer on the team.
Defensively, the scoring race is led by Quinn Hughes. Unfortunately, he is the only defenseman producing this season at a consistent rate. However, if the Canucks can find more support from all around the board, there is a decent chance that they could make the playoffs and have a decent showing.