Dallas Stars - Stanley Cup Favorite

[SeaDawg]

As an Oiler fan, it pains me so much to say this but I think Dallas is the Stanley Cup Favorite now that the major trades have fallen (I know Guentzel is still out there but I think he ends up in Carolina which makes them the top team in the East, imo).

Dallas was a strong contender even before the last couple of weeks. Yet, they improved significantly by adding the most coveted dman on the market (Tanev) and a top 6 star player without giving up anything (Stankoven).

I'm still rooting hard for the Oilers, and anything is possible with the offense they have (which only got better with Henrique), but Dallas is a force and Edmonton will have to go through them if they want the Cup.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I picked them in the Expert poll before the season. I am a bit less confident now, but I do think they're such a complete team.

[Pengwin7]

If Stankoven is clicking and their D is healthy... and Oettinger can play well behind the D-pairings... yeah - I think they're absolutely right there.
All of COL, EDM, and WPG (with Helle and that big huge 6D) are serious contenders too. Damn, that 4 in the West. Damn.
I hope those 4 emerge out of first round in West because those are two insanely awesome series' on the horizon!

As a Joe Pavelski super-fan... I so hope this Dallas team puts it all together.

[SeaDawg]

If Stankoven is clicking and their D is healthy... and Oettinger can play well behind the D-pairings... yeah - I think they're absolutely right there.
All of COL, EDM, and WPG (with Helle and that big huge 6D) are serious contenders too. Damn, that 4 in the West. Damn.
I hope those 4 emerge out of first round in West because those are two insanely awesome series' on the horizon!

As a Joe Pavelski super-fan... I so hope this Dallas team puts it all together.

What's crazy is you are absolutely correct in those four teams...and none of them include the defending Champion or the team who has been first in the West virtually all season.

I just feel those 6 teams (I'm including Vegas and Vancouver) are neck and neck and I think Dallas made the biggest improvement over the last two weeks.

[Axeman33]

If Stankoven is clicking and their D is healthy... and Oettinger can play well behind the D-pairings... yeah - I think they're absolutely right there.
All of COL, EDM, and WPG (with Helle and that big huge 6D) are serious contenders too. Damn, that 4 in the West. Damn.
I hope those 4 emerge out of first round in West because those are two insanely awesome series' on the horizon!

As a Joe Pavelski super-fan... I so hope this Dallas team puts it all together.

You haven't even mentioned the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights, who can never be counted out.

Dallas is without a doubt a serious contender.

[hockeyrobot]

Stankoven has given them 3 legit scoring lines. Duchene/Marchment have been non existent for weeks and they're still rolling along.

Somehow they're still 10/1 to win it all.

[Swarley]

They have the players but Oettinger will have to figure things out come playoff time or I don’t see them doing much. Hard to out score your issues in the playoffs round after round. But this is coming from someone who predicts Carolina to win it most years, so what do I know lol

[silkysmooth]

Being serious when I say this, but I feel like their jerseys and branding are so "blah", that not a lot of people care about or pay much attention to the Stars so they tend to get overlooked a bit.