Chicago Blackhawks
It's not exactly going out on a limb to call the Blackhawks a cup contender. The team dominated the Western Conference earning 80% of the possible points (for a total of 77), scoring the second most goals in the league (155) and surrendering a league low 102. The last team to come close to that percentage of points was the 1995 Detroit Red Wings (79.9%), and they set the NHL record for most wins in a season.
This domination is a reflection of how complete Chicago is. In many ways Chicago is the ideal team of the modern, youth dominated NHL. The team is using young, upcoming depth players matched by a veteran core that is still in the heart of its prime. Seventeen Blackhawks have at least 10 points and that includes their entire defensive core. It is true that Chicago did benefit from a high PDO (1019), good for third highest in the league, but unlike the Leafs or the Ducks, the Blackhawks have the second highest Fenwick close percentage in the NHL (55.8 %). Clearly the better than sustainable team shooting and save percentages helped Chicago to this historic season, but the talent and execution this team displayed cannot be denied.
Any thing less than a conference finals appearance by this team would be a failure and huge upset. That being said, I do think one other team may actually be more of a cup favorite.
Los Angeles Kings
It appears the L.A. Kings are not just content to try to repeat as champions, but wish to also repeat history. Much like last year the team has closed the season strong after a shaky start. And just like last year, a trip to the finals would require beating most of the top teams in the conference. The team has again been dominating the puck possession numbers. Unfortunately, due to poor shooting and save percentages those numbers did not translated into wins on the ice earlier in the season (L.A ranked 22nd in PDO). After a super human effort by Jonathan Quick last year, the netminder returned to Earth in 2013. Had Quick played a little better, or perhaps had the Kings the benefit of a full season, I have little doubt the team would have caught and passed the Ducks for the division title.
The Kings are dominating puck possession with the highest Fenwick close percentage in the league (57.35). This type of puck possession historically translates into a deep playoff run. With most of last year's cup-winning squad still intact, the Kings are in a unique position in a league where potent teams often need to be dismantled due to the salary cap.
Still, there are difficult obstacles facing the Kings. L.A. has a stiff first-round matchup with St. Louis Blues, another strong puck possession team. That very well could be the best series of the opening round. There is also a reason no team has repeated since '97-'98: It's really hard to survive that grind while also staying healthy and catching enough breaks to keep winning.
I honestly think if the Kings meet the Blackhawks it would be a seven-game coin flip. It would also be one heck of a series. But my gut tells me the Kings are poised again to see a reverse in their puck luck at the right time, and give us the best chance we've had since the 2008 Red Wings to see the first post-cap repeat champion.
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