NHL Playoffs 2013: Top 5 Teams That Can Win The Stanley Cup

With the 2013 NHL Playoffs beginning this week, 16 of the league's best teams will commence their climb towards NHL supremacy.

Even with a season that was cut short due to a labor lockout, the competition level across the league was tremendous from start to finish.

Teams expected to be among the league's best, including the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks, displayed their muscle right from the get-go while young and upcoming teams such as the New York Islanders showed followers of the sport that even the relatively unknown squads can hang with the big boys.

Now that the "Second Season" is underway, here's a look at the Top 5 teams that can win the 2013 Stanley Cup.

5. New York Rangers

The Rangers finished the regular season sixth in the Eastern Conference. As they enter their first round series with the Washington Capitals, New York is feeling good considering the strong close they had to the regular season. Winning five of their last six games to claim the sixth spot, New York boasts one of the league's best goalies in Henrik Lundqvist. With the ability of Lundqvist to control a game, New York may not always have to rely on what is at times a depleted offense. If they're able to get by the Caps in Round 1, don't sleep on the Blue Shirts.

4. Boston Bruins

Boston narrowly missed claiming the No. 2 seed in the East heading into the postseason. While players like Brad Marchand give the Bruins a reliable offensive threat, the strength of the team is clearly their defense. Finishing the regular season third in goals against and putting together one of the league's best penalty-killing units, Boston is fully capable of becoming a nightmare for anyone they face this postseason. They'll open their quest for the Cup with a Round 1 battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With emotions still running high following the terrible bombings at the recent Boston Marathon, you can be sure the Bruins will be dedicating their performance to the city of Boston.

3. Anaheim Ducks

While they may not be the most popular unit around the league, Anaheim is fully capable of making a run at the Stanley Cup. Center Ryan Getzlaf leads a powerful offense into their first round series with the Detroit Red Wings. Through 48 regular season games, Getzlaf led the team with 49 points and 15 goals. Corey Perry followed suit with a 15-goal season, and strong play between the pipes from Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth have provided the Ducks with continuity along the defense. In a stacked Western Conference, don't be surprised if Anaheim finds their way into the Stanley Cup Finals.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh enters the postseason tournament as the top seed in the East. With tremendous balance on both sides of the puck, the Penguins should have no problem getting by the New York Islanders in their first round series, even if premier player Sidney Crosby is not 100% healthy. Crosby led the Pens with 56 total points in the regular season while only appearing in 36 games due to injury. Paired with the always-lethal Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin, Crosby becomes more dangerous with each passing game. Solid goal-keeping from Marc-Andre Fleury should only pad the Pens' chances of winning the Cup in 2013.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Starting the 2013 campaign going 24-consecutive games without a loss, the Chicago Blackhawks should certainly be viewed as one of the best teams in all of hockey. Patrick Kane guides a loaded offense consisting of double-digit goal scorers Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad. The consistent net-minding of keepers Corey Crawford and Ray Emery will make Chicago a tough team to handle both offensively and defensively. Their strongest asset as the postseason begins is depth. A team that can absolutely play four lines with confidence, Chicago may very well be hoisting the Cup in a few weeks time.

Feel free to leave your thoughts as to who you think will win the 2013 Stanley Cup.