does anyone else get the feeling this is going to be the year of the underdogs?

[london flyer]

of two major underdogs in the cup final,similar to Edmonton Carolina in 2005. I can see it being a avs blue jacket final or stars and islanders.....or even the canes vs.the blues or avs.

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[the halleJOKEL]

how was carolina an underdog in 2006?

 

[DrewGl]

Could be. If the Caps make it past the Canes I can see them going on a tear and making the finals again.

 

[GoldiFox]

how was carolina an underdog in 2006?

Canes were the overdog in 2006. Still dog, just also one of the best teams in the league.

 

[weaponomega]

Canes were not an underdog in 2006

 

[TorMapleJays]

This is the Leafs year.

 

[PullHard]

Is this the thread in which we wrongly disparage the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes for the umpteenth time?

 

[BMOK33]

how was carolina an underdog in 2006?

Didn't the advanced stats argue they overachieved? I know they had 110-112 pts and that is all I remember

 

[the halleJOKEL]

advanced stats weren't really a thing back then, but they nearly won the east that year until gerber spent the last month of the season with some horrible stomach illness

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Is this the thread in which we wrongly disparage the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes for the umpteenth time?

Their best D was the other Kaberle, how could they have been good?!?! Who cares that their forward depth was mind blowingly good?

 

[BMOK33]

advanced stats weren't really a thing back then, but they nearly won the east that year until gerber spent the last month of the season with some horrible stomach illness

I just looked. They did allow a ton of goals relative to the other top 3-4 seeds in the east so maybe that is what people were harping on

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I may be in the minority but I really like Columbus in the East. They look like they’re made for the playoffs and peaking at the right time. A big physical team with balanced scoring. They look primed for a good run.
I really don’t see a lot of separation between any of the teams left. Now that TBay is gone.

 

[JT Kreider]

I don't view the Islanders as an underdog. And the Blue Jackets aren't an average 8th seed. They finished two points behind Toronto

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

The entire field is wide open. Anyone has a good chance of advancing.

 

[bring back the jets]

Blue jackets vs colorado finals would be amazing

 

[Bedards Dad]

Who are the teams that are considered underdogs? Without having that list, maybe?

Of the teams left I see Washington, Boston, Nashville and Vegas as favorites based on previous playoffs. For me the rest are anywhere from mid pack to underdogs.

Here is what the Athletic has for current probabilities:

Welcome to our NHL playoffs probabilities page where you will find game probabilities, each team’s odds of advancing to each round and their odds of winning the Stanley Cup.

Each team’s chances of winning are based on 50,000 simulations of remaining playoff games, which factors in each team’s projected strength, current health, home-ice advantage, and likely path through the playoffs. It also adjusts throughout the playoffs using Elobased on the strength of the opponent, the margin of victory and the venue the game was played at. You can read more about the model here. There are also links to each series preview at the bottom for those curious about why certain teams are favoured over others.

 

[Words Of Wisdom]

I don’t know if we’ll get two underdogs but I certainly see one unexpected team making the way. These playoffs are wild.

 

[third man in]

Can we just say the field is completely wide open and leave it at that?

 

[Matt24]

Avs-Golden Knights
Blues-Stars

Hurricanes-Islanders
Blue Jackets-Leafs

Would arguably be the most improbable second round since I’ve been alive.

 

[POVERTY]

Leafs Avs finals let's go

 

[Sam Spade]

There are no underdogs anymore. That's pretty obvious isn't it?

 

[Nick1219]

Avs-Golden Knights
Blues-Stars

Hurricanes-Islanders
Blue Jackets-Leafs

Would arguably be the most improbable second round since I’ve been alive.

Looking at that makes my head hurt, but I’d absolutely love it.

 

[boredmale]

Can we just say the field is completely wide open and leave it at that?

Which probably means the Caps will run trough the competition and win their 2nd cup.

 

[third man in]

Which probably means the Caps will run trough the competition and win their 2nd cup.

They better start getting some secondary scoring going.

 

[cgf]

I'm down for COL - CBJ in the finals