Each conference’s top postseason spots are set, and the Stanley Cup playoffs are just about ready to begin.
As projected matchups become upcoming matchups, here’s a look at three teams who are poised to play spoiler on playoff ice:
1. St. Louis Blues
If the playoff picture holds steady and Mike Yeo’s club gets a shot at the Minnesota Wild in the first round of postseason action, pencil in the Blues as a prime candidate to advance.
A 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets this week was not exactly a ringing symbol of St. Louis’ late-season success, but the Blues have still manufactured a top-notch finish to the season, winning seven of their past 10 games and 12 of 15. Against a Wild team formerly coached by Yeo that is on a two-game win streak but is still recovering from a bumbling finish, St. Louis would have a legitimate shot at using its Vladimir Tarasenko-led attack to unseat a slumping club like Minnesota and build serious momentum.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets
Until recently, the Blue Jackets were actually favorites to host the start of their third postseason series, which just so happens to be against the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the same team that ended Columbus’ short-lived playoff run in 2013-14.
But if they go into the playoffs as technical underdogs, they cannot be counted out. Actually, if we’re really giving the Blue Jackets the credit they deserve for a near-plus-60 goal differential and a top-flight defense, they should be considered potential spoilers beyond the first round of the postseason. Losses to the Pens and Washington Capitals recently aren’t the best of signs, but if there’s a team that has enough talent in the net to ward off contenders over a playoff series, it’s the Blue Jackets.
3. Boston Bruins
The funny thing is the Bruins were making a case to be completely left out of the playoff picture not too long ago. And now, surging with a six-game winning streak and another postseason berth on the heels of a shutout of the Tampa Bay Lightning, they represent maybe the most intriguing -- and dangerous -- upset candidate entering the chase for the Stanley Cup.
Since snapping a sudden losing streak, Bruce Cassidy’s resilient group has upped its goal differential to plus-25, getting spotlight contributions from stars like Brad Marchand (despite his ejection Tuesday against the Lightning) and Tuukka Rask. Boston’s trip to the playoffs, which follows a two-season absence from the postseason, could very well kick off against the Ottawa Senators, who haven’t exactly gained momentum in the home stretch of the season. And the Bruins’ offense should be a fun one to watch as well.
