The 2017 NHL season comes to an end on Sunday, setting the stage for the Stanley Cup playoffs as the Pittsburgh Penguins look to defend their crown.Heading into the final five days of the regular season, 13 of the 16 playoff spots have been clinched, including all eight in the Western Conference. Three spots remain up for grabs, along with seeding that will likely come down to the final day.Top Storyline: Washington's Stanley Cup FailuresThe Washington Capitals have been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference for the past decade, making the playoffs nine times in the past 10 seasons, winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2009-10 and 2015-16 and leading the race for another one this season.Unfortunately, postseason success has been difficult to come by in Washington. The Capitals haven't made it past the second round during this decade-long run of success.After losing in six games to the Penguins in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, Allan Muir ofSports Illustrateddid note the Capitals did show signs of growth in defeat:Because even in defeat, these Caps were different. This group showed a mental toughness that was missing from so many Washington teams before them. They persevered through a challenging first-round series against the Flyers. Then they gave an outstanding Penguins team everything it could handle in Game 6 on Tuesday night, storming back from an early 30 deficit to force overtime before finally falling on Nick Bonino's goal.The numbers this season certainly show the Capitals remain the class of the NHL, at least in the regular season. They own the league's best goal differential (plus-76), have allowed the fewest goals (178), tied for second in goals scored (254) and have seven players who have scored at least 15 goals.If the Capitals' entire organization is feeling the pressure of those past playoff failures, Alex Ovechkin is under an even more powerful microscope as the face of the franchise.Arizona Coyotes goalieMike Smith made an interesting comment about Ovechkin and his career if he doesn't win a Stanley Cup, per Craig Moran of FanRag Sports:I don't think when his career is said and done, if he hasn't won a Cup it will make him less of a player.One player can make a huge impact on your team's success but I don't think one player is the reason they win or lose at the end. It takes a group and that's what makes hockey awesome.When you look at how long he has played and produced and how he continues to score from all the over the ice but especially from his honey hole, there's no way you can question if he's one of the game's greatest player ever.Sports are often cruel, even to the best players. Ovechkin has been as dominant as any offensive player in the NHL since making his debut in 2005-06 and has eight 40-goal seasons and three Hart Trophies.Nothing that happens to Ovechkin and the Capitals during the regular season will matter if they have another early playoff exit.Upset Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins Lose in 1st RoundThe defending Stanley Cup champions are as entertaining as any team to watch because of their high-powered offense that has scored12more goals than anyone else this season.For all the issues the Penguins have had finding a starting goalie, rotating between Marc-Andre Fleury andMatt Murray, Jonathan Bombulie of thePittsburgh Tribune-Review pointed out their stats are actually very good:As a team, the Penguins rank in the top 10 in the league in save percentage. They're one of five NHL clubs with two goalies who have won at least 18 games. They're one of four teams with two goalies who rank among the top 20 in the league in high-danger save percentage.A case could be made that the goalie tandems for the Blackhawks, Rangers or Ducks have been better this season, but the Penguins pair is in the conversation.Overall, though, Pittsburgh's defense has been lacking. It ranks in the bottom half of the league in goals against (221) and penalty-killing percentage (80.3). The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only potential playoff team in the East that has allowed more goals.Their projected opponents are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who aren't as sexy to watch because they are built around defense, and playing physical is the worst kind of matchup for a team like the Penguins.The Penguins are a banged-up squad heading into the playoffs with players likeChris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin,Carl Hagelin,Kris Letang,Trevor DaleyandOlli Maattaall missing time recently due to various ailments.It's the wrong matchup at the wrong time for the Penguins. There will be a new Stanley Cup champion crowned this summer.Stanley Cup Champion: Chicago BlackhawksThe Western Conference isn't as deep as the other side this season, but that doesn't prevent the Chicago Blackhawks from being a worthy Stanley Cup threat.Recent history has certainly been kind to the Blackhawks, who have won three titles since 2010. One of the alarming stats for them is killing penalties (24th), but a lot of that stems from a dreadful start when teams scored 15 times in their first 30 attempts.Per CharlieRoumeliotisof Comcast SportsNet Chicago, the Blackhawks rank ninth in penalty-killing percentage since their ninth game of the season.The Hawks also put together one of their best performances of the season on March 29 in a potential Stanley Cup Final matchup, defeating the Penguins 5-1.ESPN.com's Joe McDonaldnoted the Blackhawks dominated their Eastern Conference rivals in the season series this year:These two teams have created an interesting East vs. West rivalry, and the Blackhawks want to prove they're still the team to beat. Chicago understands it could face the Penguins in the finals, so why not send a message early and often' That's been the case this season, and outscoring the Pens 9-2 in the two-game season series bodes well for the Blackhawks in case that scenario plays out.This roster is loaded with talent, highlighted by Patrick Kane andJonathan Toews. They have seven players who have scored at least 18 goals and 15 players with at least 10 assists. Scott Darling and Corey Crawford rank among the top 12 insave percentage.In a wide-open year for the Stanley Cup, the Blackhawks feel like the safest bet because of their track record and deep wealth of talent.
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