Nashville Predators
As much as I would like to pick the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup, I can’t go with my hometown heroes. Instead, I think that the Nashville Predators will be taking home the Cup.
For starters, they are ranked at the top of the Western Conference and first overall in the NHL. I also love their goalie, Pekka Rinne. His name is a gift from the gods, and he actually is a really good goalie. He has a win/loss ratio of 35 to eight, which is the best in the league, and has the second best save percentage among goalies. Even high-scoring teams like St. Louis and Tampa have a hard time getting through to Rinne.
However, goalies can’t win games alone. For that, the Predators have players like Filip Forseberg, Colin Wilson and James Neal to give them the points they need to win.
The key factor why I think they are going to win the Cup, however, is because their team is one of the most complete in the NHL. The team’s history is short (being founded in 1998) and, with no Stanley Cup to date, it would be nice to see a team that has made more than five playoff appearances finally take home the Cup.
– Chris Walls
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins is always a standout regular season team. However, I feel that thanks to a new head coach, a relatively healthy roster, and a solid goaltender they will win the Stanley Cup.
The main question about Pittsburgh is whether or not Fleury is capable of breaking his playoff slump and regaining his 2009 form. Well, he currently leads the league in shutouts with eight and is seventh in total wins with 28.
Sidney Crosby can bring out the best of his team in a long playoff run, but can the star-studded roster of the Penguins withstand the tight checking game in every playoff series? I believe so.
Defensively, the Penguins have managed to fill the voids left by offseason departures including Brooks Orpik and others.
It will not be easy, but I have confidence in the chances of the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the cup this year. Although I like in the talent of the Nashville Predators, the Penguins are a team that has been there before. The veteran leadership and talent they have is exactly what it takes to win a Stanley Cup again.
