As you can imagine the NHL playoffs do have some teams that are favorites. This does not mean that a dark horse team will come sweeping in and win, but it is very unlikely. Still here are some of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Colorado Avalanche – A strong contributing factor as to why Colorado lands in this is their offense. The Avalanche are averaging over 3.75 goals a game and have a great power play conversion that is ranked 5th in the NHL. Still, the defense for the Avalanche is not slacking off like a lot of great offensive teams and instead is ranked 8th giving up only 2.80 goals per game. The power play for Colorado is just as impressive as the offense converting at almost 25% of the time. The penalty kill for Colorado does play good, but could be a weak point if Colorado is heavily penalized.
Florida Panthers – The Panthers for their part have a very potent offense that has been led by Jonathan Huberdeau and is scoring an average of 4.16 goals per game. That stat is amazing, but like the Avalanche the defense does not drop off much either and is ranked 12th in the NHL giving up just under 2.90 goals per game. The Panthers special teams like Colorado is good at scoring at just over 24% conversion, but the penalty kill for Florida is ranked only 17th in the NHL and could prove to be a weak point.
Los Angeles Kings – After how the Kings have played the past few years it is odd to see the Kings as a contender for the Stanley Cup. Still one thing that the Kings have going for them is a balance on the offensive and defensive side of the puck. The Kings score at a clip of 2.83 goals per game, but the defense is ranked 7th for the Kings giving up only 2.79 goals per game. When it comes to the power play on both sides of the puck the Kings are very weak. The Kings are ranked 27th in conversion at 16.5% and the penalty kill is ranked 22nd killing off only 76.8% of the penalties faced.
Toronto Maple Leafs – A Canadian team doing good is a rarity lately in the NHL. Still, the Maple Leafs are a strong contender and are coming out of the highly competitive Atlantic Division. Most of that can be chalked up to the play of Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews who have led the Maple Leafs offense. The overall scoring for Toronto is not that bad with 3.80 goals per game. The defense could definitely use some improvement as Toronto is giving up 3.13 goals per game and ranked 19th in the NHL. The power play for the Maple Leafs is converting at a clip of 27% on the year and that is the best in the NHL. Oddly for how bad the Maple Leafs overall defense is playing the penalty kill is ranked 7th in the NHL killing off 82.2% of the power plays faced.
Carolina Hurricanes – Carolina is a team that has a lot of potential this year to make the Stanley Cup Finals. The Hurricanes, do have a weakness and that is the the reliance on Sebastian Aho for the offensive production in both goals and passing. Still, Carolina is scoring at a clip of 3.34 goals per game and have converted just out of the top 10 in the power play at 22.5%. The defense for Carolina is the best in the NHL and could become a big factor as the Hurricanes are giving up only 2.43 goals per game. The penalty kill for the Carolina Hurricanes is also the best in the NHL killing off 87.8% of the power plays faced.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Tampa Bay is heading to the playoffs with a good overall record and by playing in the very competitive Atlantic Division. In fact, the Lighting could even find themselves in a wild card spot in the playoffs. Still, the Lightning have a lot of big game experience with the Stanley Cup win last year and are looking to three peat here. The offense for Tampa Bay is strong with 3.46 goals per game and the power play conversion is ranked 10th in the NHL converting at a clip of 23.3%. The penalty kill for Tampa Bay has killed off 81.1% of the power plays faced and that actually has the Lightning penalty kill ranked 12th in the NHL. The defense for Tampa Bay is ranked 6th in the NHL giving up only 2.76 goals per game.