Joined: Dec. 2017
Posts: 5,012
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I'll take 3 Canadian teams to make this seasons Stanley Cup Playoffs. TOR (1st in East), WPG (2nd in Central), and CGY (1st WC in the West).
Currently there are 4 Canadian teams occupying playoff spots: TOR and MTL in the East and WPG and CGY out West. Personally, I think TOR and WPG are virtual locks to make and I see OTT and VAN as virtual locks to miss. MTL seems too defensively deficient to hold on all season. Eventually, teams like PIT and FLA should overtake them in the WC race. CGY is a tougher pick. They're currently in 1st place in the Pacific, but I don't trust Mike Smith very much and David Rittich has never played a significant role prior to this season (Only 28 career starts). They do play in a weak division, but VGK and ANA are heating up lately and SJS should figure things out eventually. I think they're about 50/50 to make it and it'll depend on their Goaltending.
Finally, The Oilers look much better defensively since Hitch's hiring. Their forecheck is also much better so far. They should be in the mix all season and I would've never said that 10 days ago. In the end I think their offensive depth will keep EDM out of the playoffs though. CGY has a much better defensive corps and they can score goals with the best of them. I'll take TOR in the East and WPG and CGY out West. EDM should finish 9th or 10th overall in the WEST and their season will be culminated w/ the long overdue dismissal of the single greatest impediment to success: GM Peter Chiarelli.