Top picks for playoff underdog success story

[Flames89]

While I am sure it has been discussed IN the many specific playoff threads, it suits my purposes to have this topic in one.

So which teams are the best bets for underdog success story?

(full disclosure, I have a draft later today)

[SuperMatt18]

Not sure they are an underdog but I could see the Rangers being this years version of the Kings.

Elite Goaltending: Check
Strong Defense and Defensive System: Check
Forward Depth: Check
Struggled for most of the season but showed glimpses of dominating down the stretch: Check

[kyuss275]

Not sure St Louis is considered an underdog but i think they will go far.

In the East the winner of NY and Washington could be the underdog. Going to be a good series.

[moon]

Rangers are probably the best for many of the reasons mentioned earlier.

Easy opponent in the first round thanks to the stupid division winners seeding, weaker conference allows for more upsets, underachieving team, goalie that can win a series on his own.

The possibility that Ottawa could beat Montreal in first round meaning Rangers avoid Pittsburgh in the 2nd round also helps.

[Day Tripper]

Rangers in the East, Sharks in the West. However, I predict both will lose in the conference finals (to Pittsburgh and Chicago).

[Komskies]

I don't think there are going to be an underdogs winning in the first round this year. Ottawa over Montreal is the only plausible one. It's not so much I think the Rangers are bad, I just think Washington are much better than people are giving them credit for.

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Not sure St Louis is considered an underdog but i think they will go far.

Came here to say this. I don't think finishing top 4 makes you an underdog but no one seems to talk about them much. They took it to LA last night and if they keep playing that way I think they could go deep for sure.

[djsFlames]

Before last night, people were saying they thought the Kings would roll over the Blues in that series. (dominated the season series, champs, last year, etc..)

Another classic example of a single game swaying opinions.

Kings are defending champs for a reason. And you just know Darryl's club won't go down without a fight. It's only just begun.

[getbak]

Islanders. They put together a good run to end the season. Although, I'd like their chances a lot better if they had paired up with the Habs or Caps in the first round.

I wouldn't be shocked to see the Sens take out the Habs.


In the West, it's hard to think of any of the lower-ranked teams as underdogs (other than Minnesota, who I don't think have a chance against the Hawks). The Wings are the Wings, so you can't be surprised if they win. The Sharks don't usually fall apart in the playoffs until the second or third round. The Kings are the defending Champs.

[GGG]

I think Vancouver despite being division winners this year are a bit of a sleeper team.

I am much more concerned this year than in previous years that they will somehow win.

[OffsideSpecialist]

I have a feeling the Sens will make it to the Conference Finals.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

I have a feeling the Sens will make it to the Conference Finals.

Yeah the Sens would be my choice as well. They still made the playoffs with their 3 biggest players (Karlsson, Anderson, and Spezza) out for the majority of the season, and now they are slowly getting healthy. I don't know if their success should be chalked up to coaching alone, but if Karlsson and Anderson remain on the top of their games, and Spezza comes back eventually they might go far.

Of course the Sens major problem is that they are destined to face the Penguins in the second round, so unfortunately they probably won't get further than that.

So with that in mind the Rangers might be the smart choice, as they may not have to play the Penguins until the third round if the Senators upset the Canadiens.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Before last night, people were saying they thought the Kings would roll over the Blues in that series. (dominated the season series, champs, last year, etc..)

Another classic example of a single game swaying opinions.

Kings are defending champs for a reason. And you just know Darryl's club won't go down without a fight. It's only just begun.

This series could be close. Would be sad if it was a 7 game series and one game was won with the gift from Quick. StL came out well but got very lucky.

Is SJ an underdog? Because I really don't like Vancouver, or their team this year and moving forward in the foreseeable future.

Or capitalized in their chances if you need to spin it that way.