PERENNIAL UNDERDOGS

10TH Where They’ll Finish Stanley Cup Odds 33-1 For the third straight season, the Phoenix Coyotes were left to maneuver in the Western Conference with the adversity that’s become a permanent accessory due to life without an owner. But by Year 3, they mastered life as an underdog, bucking the idea they couldn’t be competitive without a flexible payroll. Backed by a breakout season by goalie Mike Smith, the Coyotes made an impressive run to the Western Conference final, despite not sealing a playoff berth until the final few days of the regular season. Their tight defensive style led the way and was enough to frustrate the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators. When they encountered the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, however, holes in the Coyotes game plan became apparent. They needed more attack,…

RUFFLED FEATHERS

4TH Where They’ll Finish Stanley Cup Odds 14-1 After two straight first-round playoff exits, there’s pressure on everyone in Chicago to get things turned around. GM Stan Bowman is on the hot seat to show he can build a team like the 2010 Blackhawks club that won the Stanley Cup. And coach Joel Quenneville is on the spot to prove his message hasn’t worn thin and that he’s not the reason for the two first-round flops. The Hawks tried to improve through free agency, but failed in their attempts to land Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Martin Brodeur. “Our goal is not to make a splash in free agency,” Bowman said. “Our goal is to put the best team on the ice in order to win the Stanley Cup this season.” OFFENSE The only thing wrong…

STATS

OLDER, WISER AND READY TO WIN

Sometimes, even after the most painful of hockey losses, all you need is some time and breathing room to acquire the perspective and the drive to make yourself a champion. That’s what the Vancouver Canucks have had since coming one win short of the Stanley Cup two seasons ago – and that’s one of the reasons why they’re THN’s pick as the 2012-13 Cup winner. Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins got ground up by Detroit and lost the Cup final in 2008 before coming back strong and winning it all the following season. The Red Wings were swept in the 1995 final, but two springs later, they won their first of two straight titles. Of course, with parity at its peak, as many as half the teams have a realistic shot at becoming…