It’s the last day of the NHL regular season. As the playoff matchups continue to get set, we are starting to see which teams have a path to the Stanley Cup and which might not make it out of the first round. I will tell you the four most dangerous playoff teams that I think could make a real run at the cup regardless of their early-round matchups. So let’s get into it.
NHL: 4 Most Dangerous Playoff Teams
Why The Boston Bruins Will Dominate the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Wow. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think about this year’s Boston Bruins team. They have been dominating both ends of the ice all season and have been shattering NHL records along the way.
Boston has really impressed this year with what they have achieved. As a team, they have 64 wins, breaking the 95-96 Red Wings win total (62 wins) and the 18-19 Lightning win total (62). Neither of those teams won the Stanley Cup those years, but those teams were not like this Bruins team.
The Bruins this season:
– Best record in NHL history
– 1st in points
– 1st in goals allowed
– 1st in goal differential
– 1st in save percentage
– 2nd in goalsHow far will they go? pic.twitter.com/NpRxY2BgSf
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 13, 2023
One big reason that the Bruins are one of the four most dangerous playoff teams is because of their goaltending. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ulmark are possibly the best goaltending duo in the NHL ever. They have gotten the league’s best save percentage (.938%). That’s the best save percentage for a team since the 68-69 St. Louis Blues. In addition, Ulmark now has the record for the fewest number of games to reach 25 wins and is leading the league in wins, goals against, and save percentage. Oh, by the way, he also scored a goal this year.
Obviously, this Boston team has weapons on defense, but don’t forget about their offense. As I said, they’ve dominated both ends of the ice all season, making them one of the four most dangerous playoff teams. David Pastnak finished the season with 60 goals (2nd in the NHL) and 110 points. The Bruins also had a ridiculous goal differential of +127, the best in the league by 63 goals.
There you go. That’s why the Bruins are one of the four most dangerous playoff teams this season. I will be taking them to win each round and sweep the playoff. My best bets are as follows:
Best Bets:
Eastern Conference Winner +165
Stanley Cup Winner +300
Watch Out, Here Comes The Hurricanes
Yes, today is the last day of the regular season in the NHL but believe it or not, there is still a lot that can and will happen in terms of playoff seeding, especially in the West. One team that is in the thick of things is the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes are currently 2nd in the east (Boston is first) with 111 points. They have a problem, though. New Jersey now has one more point (111 to 110) and one more regulation win (39-38) than the New Jersey Devils.
If Carolina can’t beat the Panthers tonight and the Devils beat the Capitals, the Devils fall to the two seed. However, if the Devils win, they win the Metro Division and will face the Islanders in round one instead of the Rangers. The Rangers beat the Hurricanes in seven games in last year’s playoffs, and I don’t think they want to face them again.
The Hurricanes are one of the four most dangerous playoff teams because of their overall season performance. While they don’t have a single “star” that helps lead the team, they do get production from everyone on the team. The Hurricanes really do play as a team, and that’s what led them to a 51-21-9 record.
The Canes get production from everywhere in the lineup. They’ve got 11 players with double-digit goals and three with at least 23 goals. So if any player goes cold, they have layers to their offense to fill the gap. That’s ideal for the playoffs when space is limited, and star players are usually matched up closely.
One thing to remember. The Bruins clinched the President’s Cup Trophy so that they might be cursed, opening the door for the Canes to reach the Stanley Cup. In the President’s Cup history, only 8 out of the 36 winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
Best Bets:
Eastern Conference Winner +550
First-Round Series Win (Check back for Odds after Thursday, 4/13)
McDavid And The Oilers To Make A Deep Run
The Oilers have been one of the most electric teams in the NHL this season. Their team has so many great pieces led by the phenom Connor McDavid. They also have a tremendous first-round matchup that I really believe they will get by when they face the Kings in the two versus three matchup.
McDavid has 64 goals, 88 assists, and 152 points in 81 games played. He is the leader of this team and makes the other guys around him better. Very few players in the league’s history have been able to do that, making them one of the four most dangerous playoff teams. Two other players, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, both had 100-point seasons. They could lead a team themselves and be the star of said team.
The combo of a high-scoring team with a generational player is dangerous anytime, especially when they’ve set their sights on the playoffs all season. For that reason, these are my best bets for the Oilers.
Best Bets:
Oilers round one series win (check back for odds)
Winning Division – Pacific +425
The Kraken Control Their Own Destiny
The Kraken face the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night. If they beat Vegas, they risk facing the red-hot Oilers in the first round. If they lose to Vegas, they will either face Colorado, Dallas, or Vegas in round one. Nobody wants to meet Edmonton right now, especially in the first round.
We’re not done yet. pic.twitter.com/uSEwuiaE5T
— x – Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) April 13, 2023
In addition, the Kraken have recently beat Dallas and Colorado on the road. They are also 5-1 straight up their last six games, including 4-1 at home. They’ve been playing great hockey lately, and I think they have a chance at advancing as long as they don’t draw Edmonton in round one. Of course, these bets are dependent on Thursday night’s results.
If the Kraken doesn’t face the Oilers in round one:
Best Bets:
Kraken Round One Winner ( check back for odds)
Stanley Cup Winner +1400
