Now that we know which teams will be playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, which team is going to be the last one standing?
And which Canadian-based team has the best shot at hoisting Lord Stanley’s revered trophy?
Last year, Canadian hockey fans sat on their hands during the NHL’s post-season because Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver failed to make the playoffs.
That hadn’t happened since 1970, and thankfully, that’s not the case this spring.
The Leafs, Canadiens, Senators, Flames and Oilers are in the big dance… sorry Jets and Canucks fans, there’s always next year.
Eastern and Western Conference leaders Washington and Chicago are considered the favourites to win the title, but as we see each and every year, that doesn’t always happen.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Habs have the best shot among Canada’s remaining club at winning the Cup.
They’re built for the playoffs, with the planet’s best goalie in Carey Price and a knack for winning in overtime, which they did with great regularity the last time they won it all in 1993.
I don’t think Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary have the depth to advance through four rounds of punishing playoff action.
My darkhorse team, and I’m not even sure you can call them a darkhorse, is the Anaheim Ducks.
They’re coming in hot and are always a tough out.
But if I’m laying some cold, hard cash on the table, I’ll take the Blackhawks to win the Cup.