As we enter the final stretch of the NHL regular season, everyone is keeping a close eye on the league’s top contenders. While these teams tend to dominate the NHL playoff headlines, history has shown that the path to the Stanley Cup is rarely that straightforward.
Playoff hockey is a completely different environment than the regular season. The game is quicker, more physical and every shift matters. This is probably the reason why every postseason seems to produce at least one surprise run by a team nobody saw coming.
Some teams have a knack for flying under the radar, doing just enough to qualify for the playoffs before turning it on. Whether it’s from shutdown defensive play, strong secondary scoring or a red-hot goalie, these teams can quickly go from a longshot to legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Looking at the current NHL landscape, there are several teams flying under the radar that could prove difficult to face in the postseason. Let’s break down the most dangerous playoff teams nobody is talking about and see which ones are primed to shake up this year’s Stanley Cup race.
Buffalo Sabres (+1900 to win Stanley Cup)
It’s been a long time since the Sabres were labeled a dangerous team, but this year’s group has quickly turned things around in Buffalo. Led by players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, they feature one of the league’s most dynamic young rosters and play at a pace that some teams may struggle to keep up with come playoff time.
The Sabres haven’t reached the postseason since the 2010-2011 season, but they are currently battling with the Lightning for top spot in the Atlantic Division. This team has excelled at 5-on-5 play this year, and their ability to score in bursts means they’re never out of a game. Buffalo still isn’t viewed as a serious threat to win the Stanley Cup, but that could change in a hurry if this team catches fire in the playoffs.
Utah Mammoth (+2800 to win Stanley Cup)
Utah has assembled a talented group of young forwards, including Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, all of whom can attack quickly through the neutral zone and create problems for slower teams. The Mammoth also have some quality puck-moving defencemen, with Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino playing a solid two-way game.
While they’ve yet to develop a reputation as a Stanley Cup contender, the Mammoth have consistently exceeded expectations since relocating from Arizona. As a newer franchise that’s still establishing itself, Utah would enter the playoffs with no expectations and very little pressure. This can be a major advantage, as teams playing with nothing to lose can be extremely dangerous.
Montreal Canadiens (+3300 to win Stanley Cup)
With a speedy, young lineup and a number of rising stars, the Canadiens deserve a spot on our list of dangerous teams flying under the radar. This is one of the fastest teams in the NHL and they use it to their advantage, relying on that speed for an aggressive forecheck, strong transition play and quick puck movement.
Montreal has a potent offensive attack and is bolstered by one of the most productive trios in hockey, with captain Nick Suzuki centering Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky on the team’s top line. They also play in one of the league’s most hostile playoff environments. If the Habs can get some reliable play between the pipes, they could deliver a major upset in the postseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins (+5000 to win Stanley Cup)
Pittsburgh has been in the thick of this year’s playoff picture all season long, yet few people are considering them serious threats to hoist the Stanley Cup. While it looked like this season would mark the beginning of a rebuild phase, they may have one more championship run left in the tank.
The Penguins’ longtime stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang still lead the way, giving them more playoff experience than just about any other team in the league. With that veteran leadership and strong secondary scoring from Anthony Mantha and Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh could make for a very tough out in the postseason.
Not every Original Six franchise is in the same position, though. The Toronto Maple Leafs are dealing with pressures of their own heading into the postseason, as this article by David Alter explores.
San Jose Sharks (+20000 to win Stanley Cup)
The Sharks are far from a lock to reach the postseason, but they could end up surprising a lot of people if they manage to get in. This team is still in the early stages of a rebuild, but they’ve quickly put together a solid core and the results are already beginning to show.
With developing forwards like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, San Jose is on the ascent and continues to build momentum as the season rolls along. If they can find a way to sneak into the playoffs, the Sharks could become a surprisingly dangerous opponent in a seven-game series.
San Jose Sharks (+20000 to win Stanley Cup)
The Sharks are far from a lock to reach the postseason, but they could end up surprising a lot of people if they manage to get in. This team is still in the early stages of a rebuild, but they’ve quickly put together a solid core and the results are already beginning to show.
With developing forwards like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, San Jose is on the ascent and continues to build momentum as the season rolls along. If they can find a way to sneak into the playoffs, the Sharks could become a surprisingly dangerous opponent in a seven-game series.
San Jose Sharks (+20000 to win Stanley Cup)
The Sharks are far from a lock to reach the postseason, but they could end up surprising a lot of people if they manage to get in. This team is still in the early stages of a rebuild, but they’ve quickly put together a solid core and the results are already beginning to show.
With developing forwards like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, San Jose is on the ascent and continues to build momentum as the season rolls along. If they can find a way to sneak into the playoffs, the Sharks could become a surprisingly dangerous opponent in a seven-game series.