Hockey fans have to operate under the assumption that the NHL players and owners are not stupid enough to cancel two seasons less than a decade apart because of money issues. There is only so much of the "billionaires versus millionaires" saga that fans will take before a new professional hockey league will be welcomed with open arms. Assuming that the NHL lockout will end in time for there to be a regular season, it is time to see which teams stand the best chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup over their heads in May.
Los Angeles Kings
The best place to start when considering potential champions is the defending champion. The Kings is a strong combination of power forwards, fast defensemen and strong goaltending. The team can only get better because forward Jeff Carter will have even more time to get re-acquainted with his old Philadelphia teammate Mike Richards. In 2012-2013, the Los Angeles Kings is going to be hard to beat for the Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Penguins
This illusion that the Penguins hold onto which allows the team to hold on to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury when the goalie obviously struggles in the playoffs is what will keep the Penguins out of real Cup contention. If Pittsburgh comes to its senses and decides to make a goaltending change to a more consistent goaltender, then the Penguins will become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey Devils
That boring style of play which the Devils made famous kind of came back to New Jersey in the playoffs last season. One of the elements that pushed the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals last years was goaltender Martin Brodeur. With Brodeur planning on coming back and still able to play at a high level, one would have to conclude that the New Jersey Devils will be playoff contenders again in the coming season.
St. Louis Blus
If the Kinds have competition in the Western Conference, it will come from the St. Louis Blues. It took the entire season for the Blues to realize that Jaroslav Halak is their primary starting goaltender. But by the time St. Louis realized it, Halak was out with an injury for the remainder of the playoffs. The two goalie system works well during the regular season and keeps Halak rested for the playoffs. The Blues need very little tweaking to be a Stanley Cup contender for the 2012-2013 season, but St. Louis does need to keep its goalie healthy if it wants to win.
Winnipeg Jets
The Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators will represent Canada well in the 2012-2013 season, but the surprise of the year could be the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets challenged for a playoff spot last season, but started to fade as the season came to a close. With some veteran help on the defense, the Jets are ready to give it another try. This time, the results could be very different.
Los Angeles Kings
The best place to start when considering potential champions is the defending champion. The Kings is a strong combination of power forwards, fast defensemen and strong goaltending. The team can only get better because forward Jeff Carter will have even more time to get re-acquainted with his old Philadelphia teammate Mike Richards. In 2012-2013, the Los Angeles Kings is going to be hard to beat for the Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Penguins
This illusion that the Penguins hold onto which allows the team to hold on to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury when the goalie obviously struggles in the playoffs is what will keep the Penguins out of real Cup contention. If Pittsburgh comes to its senses and decides to make a goaltending change to a more consistent goaltender, then the Penguins will become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey Devils
That boring style of play which the Devils made famous kind of came back to New Jersey in the playoffs last season. One of the elements that pushed the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals last years was goaltender Martin Brodeur. With Brodeur planning on coming back and still able to play at a high level, one would have to conclude that the New Jersey Devils will be playoff contenders again in the coming season.
St. Louis Blus
If the Kinds have competition in the Western Conference, it will come from the St. Louis Blues. It took the entire season for the Blues to realize that Jaroslav Halak is their primary starting goaltender. But by the time St. Louis realized it, Halak was out with an injury for the remainder of the playoffs. The two goalie system works well during the regular season and keeps Halak rested for the playoffs. The Blues need very little tweaking to be a Stanley Cup contender for the 2012-2013 season, but St. Louis does need to keep its goalie healthy if it wants to win.
Winnipeg Jets
The Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators will represent Canada well in the 2012-2013 season, but the surprise of the year could be the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets challenged for a playoff spot last season, but started to fade as the season came to a close. With some veteran help on the defense, the Jets are ready to give it another try. This time, the results could be very different.
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