The NHL Conference Finals are just about set, meaning the playoffs are closing in on their final four teams. The Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets will battle in Game 7 on Thursday night. No matter the results of that game, here are four teams that can win it all.
NHL Conference Finals: Which Teams Can Win it All
Nashville Predators
They have the experience-and stinging memory- of last season’s run to the Cup Final. For the most part, this is the same Nashville squad back to improve upon the finish. Adding Nick Bonino and Kyle Turris while bringing Mike Fisher back into the fold sew up some of the holes. Is there a better defense in hockey? P.K. Subban and Roman Josi are having Norris Trophy-type seasons. And, oh yeah, Eeli Tolvanen looks like the second coming.
Vegas Golden Knights
As Elwood Blues would say, the Golden Knights are on a mission from God. Given an infinite number of NHL seasons, an expansion team would eventually win the Stanley Cup. So why not now? They have a goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury who has done it before and who has one of the highest save percentages in the league, not to mention a high-scoring top line trio of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith.
Washington Capitals
They finally realized that Alex Ovechkin did not have to carry the team. after many years of heartache and strife, they finally did it. The Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins to move on. Just based on this there are so many opportunities for the Caps to take it all.
Tampa Bay Lighting
Even if you area die-hard Preds fan, you have to admit the Lightning are better equipped to stomach a stretch of subpar goaltending. They are a very deep team: seemingly every role player is a former captain of the New York Rangers. And, more importantly, they’re healthy. The last time Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson were all available for the playoffs, they went all the way to the Cup Final. This alone gives fear to many fans as they make their way to the ultimate goal.
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