Five Reasons Maple Leafs Win Stanley Cup before Oilers

Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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#1: Better Centre Depth

The Leafs have depth better depth at all positions, but it’s centre ice that is most important, and that’s where the Leafs will eventually shine.

Connor McDavid is the best player on either team, but after that the Leafs have much better depth.

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While both teams will likely see some significant roster turnover before either wins the Cup, the Leafs have a potentially three-headed monster at centre ice that is going to give them the edge for years to come.

The Oilers have McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins, but their third line centre is Mark Letestu.  Comparatively, the Leafs have Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri and, eventually, William Nylander.

That is 3 x #1 centres and that depth is going to propel the Leafs to the top of the league.