As of mid-December - who are your top 3 Stanley Cup favorites?

[bobholly39]

Who do you think are the 3 teams most likely to win the Stanley Cup this year? For reference, we did some polls in the off-season in terms of who HF thought was the top Stanley Cup favorites going into the year, and here's how they ranked:

1. Tampa
2. Colorado
3. NY Isles
4. Vegas
5. Carolina
6. Florida
7. Boston
8. Winnipeg
9. Toronto
10. Pittsburgh

As of today, league standings are like this (this is total points, not p%):

1. Florida
2. Washington
3. Toronto
4. Carolina
5. Rangers
6. Wild
7. Tampa
8. Anaheim
9. Calgary
10. Nashville

So 6 of the top 10 teams today didn't make our list in the off-season of top 10 Cup Favorites. If instead of points I went by point percentage, Colorado would make the top 10 too.

But of course - this is just regular season standings. Wild is feasting in what so far has been a weak division - do people here consider them a top 3 cup favorite? Florida still hasn't won a single playoff round in 25 years - can they go all the way? Toronto - same boat as Florida pretty much. Vegas out of top 10 currently - but have had a lot of injuries, and still have a +Eichel to add by playoffs possibly - are they top 3? Is Tampa still top 1, with Kucherov coming back soon? Do you have Habs - last year's finalists - as top 3? Will the Isles come roaring back?

Vote for your top 3, and rank them. I listed the top 15 teams in the standing currently in order for you to choose from - you can also vote 'other' if you think a team not-listed should be top 3

Click to read more...

 

[bobholly39]

Here's my rank:

1. Tampa. Simply put - they're still the best team on paper, coasting a bit in the season, but will easily make playoffs and are the team to beat. I know it's hard to 3 peat, but they have better odds than any other 1 team.

2. Colorado. They started out slow but are ramping up again. I think the western conference is weaker too, easier path to the finals

3. Vegas. I really like the Eichel addition, and the overall playoff experience they have. That core hasn't won a cup, but they've won a ton of playoff rounds. Weaker western conference, easier path to finals, I could see them go all the way.

Very seriously considered Pittsburgh + Washington too at #3, who I think both could still win 1 more time.
I could see teams like Florida or Carolina do good - but I'm a bit unsure about them and how they'll do in playoffs.
Edmonton an x-factor - also very seriously considered voting for at #3, due to McDrai, but decided against it.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

1. Florida. Their goaltending was the question mark, but Bobrosvsky has looked good. Insanely deep.
2. Tampa. They're winning games without Kucherov and Point. Could move them to 1 since they are the proven winners.
3. Colorado. Starting to heat up. Toews and Makar have been great. Getting everyone healthy should really show us what they are.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Tampa as they are the favorite until proven otherwise. Then Canes/Florida. I'd put Canes first just since Florida will have to go through Tampa before the Canes would have to. I really do think whichever of these 3 teams come out of the east wins it though. Vegas if Eichel does actually come back full strength this season would also be up there, but I'm highly skeptical.

 

[AvroArrow]

Florida, Carolina, Tampa

Remember, Tampa doesn't even have Kucherov yet. And Point is out for a little while longer as well. Colorado HM at 4th for me. But I really like the way the Panthers/Canes have built their team, very well balanced with lots of emphasis on team D. I'd put my Leafs as the 5th favorite.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Carolina, Colorado, Tampa

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Tampa



Florida
Colorado

I only put Colorado because I think the West has an easier path to the SCF. Otherwise I’d have Carolina.

 

[Miro4Norris]

1. Tampa. Same situation that Pens had in 2018. I will have them as a #1 until they lose no matter how other teams dominate in regular season.

2. Colorado have advantage to other good teams because they play in easy conference and they should not meet good teams before conference finals or finals if Vegas fail.

3. Florida. I'm not as convinced as from other two but this was between them and Carolina. Vegas can also get hot with Eichel and they have same situation as Colorado

P.s. As a guy who predicted Isles to not make playoffs it's hilarious to see them as a 3rd in a poll before season.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I went slightly "off the board". I picked Tampa, St. Louis, and Vegas. I think previous playoff success matters, just my personal view.

 

[Boreal01]

Tampa, Florida, Washington

 

[Michael HOMERUNing]

People underrating the Wild as usual. They will say they are unproven in the playoffs but then go ahead and put Florida second, a team who hasn’t won a playoff round since 1996

 

[Spurgeon]

People underrating the Wild as usual. They will say they are unproven in the playoffs but then go ahead and put Florida second, a team who hasn’t won a playoff round since 1996

The Wild have good depth, which is crucial for playoff success. However, they don’t have enough high-end depth to make them a serious contender. They have been great this year because everyone is pitching in; but if that trend stops, which it likely will, they’re going to struggle.

 

[Michael HOMERUNing]

The Wild have good depth, which is crucial for playoff success. However, they don’t have enough high-end depth to make them a serious contender. They have been great this year because everyone is pitching in; but if that trend stops, which it likely will, they’re going to struggle.

Depth and defense win Cups. Wild are top 5, arguably top 3 in both. Sure they are lacking multiple superstar players up front but they have 2 elite two way defenseman and Kaprizov has the ability to carry an offense. The team as a whole also plays playoff style hockey. The wild card in this scenario is goaltending. As long as Talbot makes the saves when he needs to Minnesota is in the conversation

 

[COHawk]

Florida/Carolina/Colorado with Tampa and Washington closely behind.

 

[North Cole]

Tampa
Colorado
Florida

I mean, Tampa is blowing teams away without their best offensive player. Would like it if they would f*** off, but based on results it's pretty hard to not have them #1.

 

[x Tame Impala]

People underrating the Wild as usual. They will say they are unproven in the playoffs but then go ahead and put Florida second, a team who hasn’t won a playoff round since 1996

"as usual"...as if they've ever been anything other than a good team with depth that gets bounced early in the playoffs

 

[x Tame Impala]

I think Washington has a real chance this year but getting out of the Atlantic is going to be real tough with Tampa, Florida, and Carolina

 

[JaegerDice]

Tampa and Colorado based on raw talent, with Calgary as the fancy stats dark horse. Florida is a very strong fancy stats HM, I just think they have a tougher path through the East than Calgary through the West.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Tampa, Carolina, Florida are the three best right now imo. I find Colorado a bit overrated - great high end talent, but not well rounded enough for the playoffs.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Tampa
Colorado
Florida

I mean, Tampa is blowing teams away without their best offensive player. Would like it if they would f*** off, but based on results it's pretty hard to not have them #1.

Other than Ottawa shutting them out.

 

[34]

Carolina and Tampa.

 

[bigbabybuda]

Tampa
Florida
Colorado
Toronto
Vegas (if Eichel comes back healthy)

 

[CanadienShark]

Tampa
Florida
Carolina

 

[Leafidelity]

"as usual"...as if they've ever been anything other than a good team with depth that gets bounced early in the playoffs

The Florida Panthers??

 

[Foppberg]

Tampa
Carolina
Washington
Florida