With the Stanley Cup playoffs upon us, I thought it would be interesting to dive into which teams are under the most pressure to win it all this season.
5. Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg jets won the President’s Trophy, as they were the best team in the league during the regular season. They’ve been firing on all cylinders since October. However, after back to back first round exits, there is definitely more pressure this time around to make some noise in the playoffs. Connor Hellebuyck, who is about to win his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, is under some heat for his lackluster performance last spring against the mighty Colorado Avalanche. The defense also let him down, however, so he doesn’t deserve all the blame. Being the highest standard in the league will just add to that duress. Winnipeg is in arguably the top division in the NHL, which makes the season that they had more impressive, but they will be judged on what happens from this point forward.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes once again were one of the better teams in the league. However, the big question mark with them will always be the playoffs. They’re good enough to get there, but the scoring typically fizzles out as the rounds progress. They’ve made the Conference Finals two times since 2019, but have gotten swept both times. After trading superstar Mikko Rantanen, they now have a plethora of draft picks, so perhaps they wait it out and use a lot of the assets they’ve garnished to make further moves. Their goaltending is also a question mark yet again. Can they get the key saves when it matters? With that being said, they still have a very good roster, and the Canes are yet again a top threat in the East.
3. Dallas Stars
Similarly to the Hurricanes, the Stars have made the Conference Finals recently, including a trip to the Cup in 2020. They traded a haul at the deadline for Rantanen. General Manager Jim Nill gave up a package that included young star Logan Stankoven, two first round draft picks, and two third rounders. Their time to win is now. The thing they do have going for them is that a lot of their core pieces are very young and some of their aging and expensive veterans are coming off the books in the next couple years. In a loaded Western Conference, they are seen as one of if not the biggest favorites.
2. Edmonton Oilers
When will there not be pressure when you have two of the top three greatest players in the world on your team? That is what the Edmonton oilers have going for them. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the best duo in the league. As long as they are on the team, Edmonton will always be in the mix. Goaltending is a question mark, however. After making the Stanley Cup Finals last season, there is pressure on them to make it back, and to win it this time. With McDavid being a free agent next summer, these next couple of weeks loom large.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
1967. That is the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. There will always be pressure in the 6ix. With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander all in their prime, this feels like the perfect time to make a run. Marner, coming off his first 100 point season is a free agent this July. The 27 year old superstar is expected to get a large contract. Veteran John Tavares is also a free agent, though he has expressed interest in returning. What Toronto has going for them is good defense and goaltending. That hasn’t been the case in years past. And they won the Atlantic Division, too this season. The Leafs yet again have all the pressure in the world to deliver.
Do you agree with the above rankings? What team do you think has the most pressure on them?
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