Inspired by Aidan’s NBA Championship post, I did a deep dive into the criteria for Stanley Cup Champions.
Historically, cup champions had 6/8 of the following categories:
- Top-6 Overall Regular Season Record
- Win Percentage Above .600
- Top-6 in Goal Differential
- Top-6 in Goals Against per Game
- Top-6 in Power Play Percentage
- Top-6 in Penalty Kill Percentage
- Elite Goaltending (.920+ SV% or Vezina/Hart finalist)
- Top-6 in Expected Goals Percentage (xG%)
This year, the following teams have the strongest chances to win:
Winnipeg Jets 8/8 (+1000)
Washington Capitals 7/8 (+1100)
Vegas Golden Knights 7/8 (+900)
Carolina Hurricanes 6/8 (+650)
Florida Panthers 6/8 (+750)