By: Justin Gincauskas
When you think of Stanley Cup contenders so far in the season, teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, and Los Angeles Kings all stand out. However, there are a few underrated Stanley Cup contenders that have not gotten nearly as much attention and deserve some recognition.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers started the season as badly as they possibly could have. They were expected to be Stanley Cup contenders before the season began but came out looking like one of the worst teams in the league. However, things have changed since the firing of head coach Jay Woodcroft on Nov. 12.
Now Edmonton is starting to change gears, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. After a slow start, Connor McDavid is heating up as of late, registering at least a point in every game since Nov. 20.
The Oilers sit five points back of the Arizona Coyotes for the second wild-card spot but have two games in hand. I would be surprised if we do not see Edmonton comfortably in the playoffs after three-quarters of the season.
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are one of the most underrated Stanley Cup contenders. They are currently in first place in the Central Division yet are receiving less attention than the other teams behind them.
Although they do not have any superstar names that dominate on the ice, the Stars have a lot of good players on the roster. The team has eight players who have surpassed the 20-point mark this season, led by 39-year-old Joe Pavelski. They also have a great goaltender in Jake Oettinger.
Nobody should want to play Dallas in the postseason. The experience, depth, and balanced scoring on the Stars will make them a tough out for anyone come playoff time.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are another team to watch out for as a serious Stanley Cup contender. They currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 37 points.
Philadelphia has been really good as of late. They are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and have yet to lose in regulation in December.
A big reason for the team’s success is goaltender Carter Hart. Hart currently has a 2.42 goals-against average, which is the seventh-best in the league. He can steal games for the Flyers, significantly impacting Philadelphia’s chances of going on a deep playoff run.
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