Five Cup Favorites Heading Into the Shortened Season

Now that NHL hockey will be back in full effect in a week or so, fans and those associated can step back from the ledge they were inching towards for the past 3 months. It seemed like, as in 2005, the season was going to be cancelled and all would be lost once again. Fans were beginning to call for Gary Bettman's head, as if we weren't already, and there was a growing disgust with the unfortunate consistency of the mismanagement of the league and it's failure to build upon past successes. Lo and behold, the two sides finally came to an agreement to end the lockout and go back to work. So now that we know we'll have a hockey season, albeit shortened to 48 games, it's time to look at what teams have the best chance to walk away as Stanley Cup Champions in mid-June.

5. Chicago Blackhawks, Central Division, Western Conference

It was only 3 years ago that the Blackhawks were standing atop the mountain as Cup champions, and there's a very real chance that they can return to the top in 2013. They have a young, dominant core made up of studs Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and a solid supporting cast to fill the holes. Despite a playoff appearance last season, the 'Hawks disappointed some by only qualifying for the 6th seed and finishing 4th in an extremely tough division. In a shortened season it'd be disappointing to see this young squad fail to garner anything higher than a 4 seed, as they're young and athletic enough to keep up a rigorous pace throughout the lesser amount of games. If they can stay hot throughout the playoffs, the Blackhawks are the type of team with ability to fly past anyone. All this is without mentioning the return of Marian Hossa, who was being carted from the ice the last time we saw him. Chicago should be able to score with anyone, but they're goaltending could potentially provide more questions than answers.

Projection: 30-10-8, 68 points

4. Boston Bruins, Northeast Division, Eastern Conference

Fresh off their incredible Stanley Cup run in 2011, the Bruins came back last year to have a solid season, yet disappointing in the eyes of some. They still won their division by a respectable 10 points, but many felt like they left a lot on the ice as they were knocked out in the first round by the 7 seed Capitals. The Big Bad Bruins kept their usual bad boy persona, amounting the second most fights in the NHL, and their offense was much improved in front of their always stout defense and goaltending, finishing with the highest goal differential in the league. They have most of the core intact from their championship run, and those stars are all still relatively young. If Tyler Seguin can get off to a hot start and build off of last season's breakout campaign, in addition to his success in his brief stint in Switzerland, the Bruins could be equipped with one of the brightest and most talented offensive stars in the NHL. And if Tuukka Rask can take his new, full-time job by the horns and play like he usually did in backup duty, then the Bruins can made a hard charge at winning a Cup for the 2nd time in 3 years.

Projection: 33-12-3, 69 points 

3. Los Angeles Kings, Pacific Division, Western Conference

After a midseason coaching change, and the acquisition of Jeff Carter, the Kings were sparked from non-contenders into Cup champions last year. After a rough stretch during the middle of the season amid all the changes, most figured the book on the 2012 Kings' season was closed. But they turned it around in time to squeak into the playoffs as the 8 seed and face the vaunted Canucks in the first round, sweeping them away in remarkable fashion. This playoff run made people in LA remember they had a hockey team, and it introduced the world to Jonathan Quick. The LA netminder had one of the greatest playoff runs in NHL history, as he lead the Kings to a ridiculous 16-4 record, taking out the top seeded Canucks, the 2nd seed Blues, and the 3rd seed Coyotes en route to knocking off the Eastern Conference champion Devils for the Cup. The Kings also won 10 straight road playoff games, tying the NHL record, and made themselves look like serious contenders for years to come. If Quick continues to grow as arguably the best goalie in hockey this side of Henrik Lundqvist, the Kings will be a dangerous team and could make a run at a repeat in 2013.

Projection: 31-11-6, 68 points

2. Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference

If the Penguins can stay healthy throughout the course of this shortened season, they could perhaps be the runaway favorites for the Cup in 2013. Considering they have two of the top 5 skaters in hockey, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and a quasi-elite goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh is sitting pretty in terms of making a strong run. The thing holding them back could be their health. If Crosby suffers any sort of setback and misses more time with his history of head injuries, it could severely hamper their chances at retrieving the Cup that they won in 2009 with a similar core. They're a veteran, experienced team with players young enough and talented enough to skate with anyone. One promising sign was Malkin putting the team on his back last season without Crosby, and leading his team to within one point of the Atlantic title and netting the Hart Trophy as the leagues MVP. If all things click for the Pens, they'll be a dynamic, top-tier team in 2013.

Projection: 34-9-5, 73 points 

1. New York Rangers, Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference

Aside from being in one of the most competitive divisions in hockey, aligned among the Penguins, Flyers, and Devils, the Rangers possess one of the deepest and most talented rosters in all of hockey. They have the reigning Vezina Award winner in Henrik Lundqvist, and a young offensive core consisting of their captain Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, and Brian Boyle. They've also got talented young defensemen in Marc Staal, Michael Del Zotto, and Ryan McDonagh. Couple those with the recently acquired Rick Nash, and former free agent scoops Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards and you have a recipe for success. If the Rangers are as dominant on the ice as they were in 2012, managing the #1 seed in the East, they could see their first title since 1994, and only their second since 1940.

Projection: 35-10-3, 73 points