The NHL season is now just hours away.
The slate is wiped clean and the now 31 teams in the league all have an equal chance of making the playoffs. With parity in the league stronger than ever, it’s become far more difficult to qualify for the post-season in this day and age of hockey. On top of the parity, there’s so many factors that come into play that can derail a team’s season in the form of bad luck, whether it’s injuries, shaky goaltending, tough travel schedules, off-ice distractions, or off years from superstar players that are expected to carry their team.
We should also note that regression is expected out of some teams, opening the door for some of these clubs. The Ottawa Senators come to mind.
With the offseason concluded and the 23-man rosters now set, here’s four teams that missed the playoffs last season that have a good chance of playing hockey well into the spring.
Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s hard to imagine that Tampa Bay Lightning missed the playoffs last season on the heels of Nikita Kucherov’s 85-point breakout campaign, but they did so by a single point.
Now, they’re considered one of better favourites for a chance at the Stanley Cup. A big x-factor for the Lightning in getting back to the promise land will be the health of Steven Stamkos, who’s played only one full season in the last four campaigns. The Lightning will lean on 23-year-old Russian netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, who posted a .926 save percentage following the departure of Ben Bishop last season. Defenceman Mikhail Sergachev was added to an already strong blueline in the trade that sent Jonathan Drouin to the Habs.
They're an exciting team that’s all but guaranteed to be back in the post-season.
Carolina Hurricanes
Building through the backend is one recipe for success in today’s NHL, just ask the Nashville Predators.
The Carolina Hurricanes have quietly built up one of the most impressive defence cores with the likes of Justin Faulk, Brett Pesce, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and youngster Haydn Fleury. Not one defenceman on their current roster is over the age of 26. The Canes acquired goaltender Scott Darling in the off-season to shore up the goaltending, who will be seeing the majority of starts ahead of Cam Ward.
If Sebastian Aho can build off his solid 49-point rookie campaign, and Teuvo Teravainen, Elias Lindholm can emerge has legitimate NHL scorers, then the Canes are a good darkhouse pick to grab one of the wildcard spots, especially when you consider how well they’ve done at controlling possession over the last few seasons.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets boast one of the best young and talented forward groups with Mark Scheifiele, Patrick Laine, Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers.
What’s holding them back as been their goaltending, and the team addressed that this offseason by adding goaltender Steve Mason on a two-year, $4.1 million contract. Mason should see the bulk load of starts, and will have a safety net in Connor Hellebuyck behind him that should make for a stronger combination in net than they’ve had in previous seasons. Their defence is big and productive lead by Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, and free agent signee Dmitri Kulikov.
If the Jets’ youngsters take another step, and are able to get better luck in the health department (they finished tied with the Canucks for the most man games lost), as well as play with more discipline and shore up their 26th ranked penalty kill, Winnipeg could be the next great Canadian team qualify for the post-season at a consistent basis for the foreseeable future.
Dallas Stars
The lone star state’s only hockey team made the biggest waves in the offseason, bringing in highly coveted free agents Ben Bishop and Alexander Radulov.
6’6” centreman Martin Hanzel was also signed, as well as former Oiler Tyler Pitlick. They also acquired veteran defenceman Marc Methot from the Vegas Golden Knights following the aftermath of the expansion draft. General Manager Jim Nill made it his top priority to shore up the team’s defensive structure, which is why he brought in Ken Hitchcock to tweak the Stars philosophical approach that's been based off his octance offence. Dallas finished dead last in the league with a .893 save percentage and on the penalty kill.
Dallas currently has the best odds at +375 to win the Central in what is surely to be a dogfight of a division, and the club is hoping their active offseason will help punch their ticket to the post-season.
Honourable mentions: Los Angeles Kings & Philadelphia Flyers. If you have any suggestions, let us know at @BarDown.
