Who are the early contenders for the NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup?

The post-season is rapidly approaching

The NHL is roughly halfway through its regular season. So it’s a good time to take stock and see who harbours serious ambitions for the 2018 Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins are the twice-reigning champions, after Sidney Crosby inspired them to a 4-2 victory over Nashville Predators in the finals last June.

This time around the duo both have some work to do.

The Penguins are a less-than stellar 22-19. They remain strong offensively, but their defense is one of the poorest in the Eastern Division this season.

Coral are 16/1 on Crosby’s side defending the Stanley Cup, but they’ll have to improve.

Nashville are going well again though, and stand at 25-11.

Coach Peter Laviolette has maintained the team’s momentum after reaching their first Stanley Cup last year. The Predators are 12/1 to go all the way this time around.

Lightning strikes

Leading the way though, are Tampa Bay Lightning.

Edged into fifth in the Atlantic Division last year, the 2004 champions are now the team to beat.

Their 31-9 record is by far the best in this season’s NHL. They’ve scored more goals than any other side while only three outfits have a tighter defense.

Right winger Nikita Kucherov has been in superb form. The 24-year-old’s 27 goals are only matched by Washington Capital’s skipper Alex Ovechkin.