Playoffs in any sport are very exciting, especially hockey because of how unpredictable it can be. You never know what could happen, there are off games where a team plays horrible and games where the teams are neck-in-neck.
For example, in the 2024 NHL playoffs, the Oilers played the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Some of the games were very close 2-1 overtime losses, and then there would be games like 4 and 6 where Edmonton smoked the Panthers 8-1 and 6-1. Or there could be games where the Panthers would almost blow a 3-0 lead.
Also in 2014, the Los Angeles Kings were the lowest seed at eighth in the pacific division. Nobody had any faith or a thought in the underdog Kings, but they had other plans and made it through the three playoff rounds. Playing the Stars, then Anaheim Ducks, then making it to the finals and playing the powerhouse New York Rangers who were the fourth seed. No one could predict that the Kings would beat the Rangers in round five of the finals.
On another note, this years playoffs are going to be nothing short of crazy, there are some possibilities of underdogs such as the Bruins – who lost Marchand, Carlo, Macavoy, Coyle, and their number one pick Frederick – who probably won’t make it far into playoffs just because they’ve traded all of their above average players, along with that there are so many other teams that have a chance to go far as well.
Other small teams like the Sabres, Senators, and the Flyers aren’t the best team but they still have a small chance. These teams probably won’t make it far in the playoffs just because they are very mid teams especially because they don’t win or score much. These teams are also irrelevant, there is nothing on the news about them.
The Rangers should be in there too, after being robbed of a Stanley Cup by the Panthers, they should be hyped to take it back. The Rangers every single year have had an outstanding team, but when it’s time for playoffs, they never win. Also, the Capitals could also be in the mix, the Caps haven’t been the best team this year, and they also have horrible luck during the playoffs. For example, they have played really good teams like the Panthers and Bruins. They also have horrible standings and they don’t have a lot of star players. Which makes them a very mediocre team.
There are many strong teams that are probably going to be in the playoffs. Teams like the Maple Leafs, the Lightning, and the Hurricanes will definitely make this year’s playoffs very interesting, but they are the type of team to not win the Cup. These three teams have had so much potential for another Stanley Cup but have never won it because of their luck.
Out of all the teams playing in the Stanley Cup this year, and as much as I hate to say it, the Panthers stand out the most. They are aggressive, precise, and their playstyle is what wins them games. They also have the same exact team as they did the past 3 years – they also picked up Marchand, who is a very good player- who will play a crucial role in helping the Panthers win the Cup.
Don’t get me wrong, the Maples, Rangers, Canes, and Lightning are all very good teams, but in my opinion, they just don’t have the chemistry and playstyle that the Panthers have.
Also, the Panthers are number one in the Atlantic Division and it’s probably going to be that way until playoffs actually happen. Which means they have the most likely chance of winning because they will play the lowest seeded teams.
Furthermore, Panthers are also a very underrated team, they were one of the worst teams in the 2024 regular season and playoffs, and they still beat very good teams like the Oilers and the Rangers. They are also a very hated team by other fan bases because of how they play. Especially Matthew Tkachuk just because he’s a little scrappy.
In the end, it is what it is, and you never know. Maybe the Panthers won’t win this year. Maybe the Panthers goalie plays terribly and loses in the first round or the team the Panthers play in the first round smokes them. That’s the fun part of ice hockey playoffs, you never know who’s going to win.
