The Stanley Cup is one of America’s greatest sporting institutions – a battle between ice hockey’s top sides to lift a trophy that was first awarded back in 1893 and that has produced both titanic struggles and major shocks in its long history.
Defensemen Matt Niskanen (#2) and Dmitry Orlov (#9) of the Washington Capitals along with Center Sean Couturier (#14) and Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers pile up in front of the Capitals net.
Who can forget the 2003 final when New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur recorded three shutouts in a seven-game thriller with Anaheim? Going further back, there was the 1942 final in which Toronto rallied from 3-0 down to clinch the series 4-3, and the famous second game of the 1928 series, when Rangers coach Lester Patrick was forced to don the goalie pads himself and proceeded to keep out 18 of 19 shots, helping his side to a 2-1 win.
The Stanley Cup has also produced its share of upsets, such as the “Miracle on Manchester” in 1982, when the Los Angeles Kings overturned a 5-0 deficit in the third period of game three and managed to defeat the mighty star-studded Edmonton Oilers, and the 2003 Western Conference quarterfinal in which Minnesota Wild, in their first playoff appearance, overcame the NHL powerhouse Colorado Avalanche.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (#72) and Defenseman Jack Johnson (#7) of the Columbus Blue Jackets fight off Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers as he sets a screen.
It remains to be seen whether this year’s Stanley Cup will produce games that will go down in NHL history, but with less than a month to go to the end of the regular season, we do at least have a clearer picture of which teams will be battling for glory, and hockey fans who study the live odds on Stakers will be following the action closely over the next two weeks as they try to weigh up which teams are looking good going into the playoffs.
The favorites at this stage are the Tampa Bay Lightning. They’ve had better luck with injuries this time around, and with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov at their best, they’ve dominated in the East. Strong at home and resilient on the road, they’ve already passed 100 points and should have a relatively easy Wild Card opponent to kick off their Stanley Cup charge.
Last season, Nashville came close to defeating eventual champions Pittsburgh, and having added to their playing strength, they are looking good for another run deep into the playoffs. Few teams can boast a roster as deep as the Predators, and with Pekka Rinne in the best form of his life, and a solid record at home and on the road, Nashville are looking good.
However, don’t write off expansion side Las Vegas. The Golden Knights are enjoying a famous inaugural season, and despite predictions that they would falter, they are still going strong at the top of the Pacific Division. We can expect them to be written off again before the playoffs start, but no team will be relishing facing them in the first round.
Flames’ fowards Micheal Ferland (79) and Mark Jankowski (77) look for a pass in front of Sharks’ goalie Martin Jones
At this stage, none of the potential playoff sides can be written off, and the battle to make the final 16 will be as fierce as ever. The 2018 Stanley Cup promises to be one of the most exciting ever and hockey fans can’t wait!
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