One of the greatest Stanley Cup Playoffs in recent history left a nation waiting for October. Now, the NHL is ready to drop puck once again, allowing hockey to get back on track as the country’s fastest growing sport.
This season, the Blackhawks look like the juggernaut to beat in the West, with the Stanley Cup winning Kings not far behind. The Bruins lead a weak East, while the Penguins and Canadiens refuse to be forgotten.
The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder has been waiting for months for this. Here is the 2014-2015 forecast for just a few of the things you’re going to see this year.
Player to watch: Anze Kopitar, C, Kings
Kopitar had a coming out party in the Kings’ Stanley Cup run last year. He received some much due spotlight, and is about to make the jump into the upper echelon of the league. This prediction isn’t necessarily that his numbers will change much, but he will receive far more air-time as an elite level playmaker in the NHL.
Team ready to reach the next level: Minnesota Wild
The “State of Hockey” is ready to become something big. Last season’s success, coupled with off-season acquisition of Thomas Vanek vault this team into serious contention for the West. Come late April, it wouldn’t surprise me if we were talking about the Blackhawks, Kings, and Wild as the major threats to represent the Western Conference.
Team that will fall from grace: New York Rangers
The defending Eastern Conference Champs are about to sink like a stone. In hockey, making the playoffs isn’t nearly enough if you’re going to get ousted in the first round. That may be the fate for the Rangers this coming year. Having the greatest goalie in hockey helps seal some wins, but this team looked like they were riding more momentum than talent last season. Momentum doesn’t usually do too well across the off-season.
Western Conference Final prediction: Chicago Blackhawks over Los Angeles Kings
This is the best matchup in hockey going forward. At the end of last season’s clash, the entire hockey world was saying that these two teams squaring off is good for the sport. Well, each team is just as deep as they were a year ago, and the Blackhawks would love nothing more than revenge. I give the edge to a Blackhawks team that features two of the best young stars in the game, and a supporting cast who can make it all come together once again.
Eastern Conference Final prediction: Boston Bruins over Pittsburgh Penguins
This makes me uncomfortable. I don’t think these are the best two teams in the conference. Not even close. I think it is the best team and maybe the fourth or fifth best. But, with the playoff structure implemented last season, it looks like the far better Atlantic division will be forced to beat each other up, leaving the Metropolitan division with an opportunity to skate a little bit. That being said, I think the Bruins will edge the Lightning to go to the Conference finals where they will meet the far underqualified Penguins. The Bruins, who are the deepest team in the East, will make the Penguins look lame. Once again, Pittsburgh will have to answer to the question: what good does star power do if you can’t win championships?
Stanley Cup prediction: Chicago Blackhawks over Boston Bruins
The epic 2013 Stanley Cup Final rematch will happen this year, with the Madhouse on Madison rocking again. The Blackhawks will have their hands full with a tough goalie, but nothing they haven’t done before.
Hockey is one of the few sports where any team can beat anyone on any given night. Yet over the course of the playoffs, the cream rises to the top. The talent, depth, and experience of the Blackhawks will lead them to their third cup in six seasons, and official dynasty status.
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