Analytics Model Shows a Surprising New Stanley Cup Favourite
This season hasn't gone as expected for almost any team. Some teams that came in as cup contenders are close to the bottom of the league, and some teams destined for the draft lottery are right on top.
In the mix, there are the teams that everybody expected to be on the fringe of the playoffs. Many of these teams have underperformed (St. Louis Blues), some have been right on expectation (New York Islanders), and some have been absolutely amazing.
According to the MoneyPuck analytical model, a team that was destined for the middle of the pack going into the season, the Dallas Stars, are the newest cup favourites.
The Dallas Stars have been a joy to watch this year. A combination of veteran grit from Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn, along with young skill in Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, this team seems unstoppable. Every aspect of the group is working to the top of their ability, with both goaltenders, Jake Oettinger and Scott Wedgewood putting up amazing numbers.
From this effort, tied with new energy brought in by freshly minted coach Pete DeBoer, the Stars are no longer in the middle of the pack.
Having cup finals experience from 2020 also helps their case, and MoneyPuck has given them a whopping 9.6% chance to win the cup. This is amazing news for Stars fans.
| POLL | ||
Do you think that the Dallas Stars are cup contenders? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 29.4 % |
| No | 72 | 70.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
