The National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion takes home the coveted Stanley Cup. Some powerhouse teams have emerged, but so have a few unexpected contenders. The Stanley Cup playoffs are thrilling and unpredictable, with wild turns and twists occurring often. Unexpected injuries, gains in momentum and substitutions can turn the tables quickly.
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In this article, we’ll be making some predictions about the teams most likely to take home the legendary Stanley Cup in 2025.
The Top Contenders
Without further ado, here are our top five contending teams for the Stanley Cup Run:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Edmonton Oilers
- Florida Panthers
- Vegas Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche
Denver-based Colorado Avalanche (known as the Avs) are favorites to win for a few reasons. This team has enjoyed success in the past, largely thanks to its roster of solid core players and a few superstars. Nathan MacKinnon, for example, is a valuable forward with a powerful drive that directly translates into goals. Backed up by Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, MacKinnon and his team deliver a lethal blend of relentless speed, power and dynamism.
Another reason for the past successes of the Colorado Avalanche is the solid goalkeeping. With robust keepers and defenders, few opponents manage to claim any goals against the Avs. A few recent last-minute acquisitions have strengthened both the offense and defense of the team, rounding them out into a juggernaut that could plausibly take home the Stanley Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have established themselves as a balanced outfit, with deep defense and explosive offense. Furthermore, the discipline of the team’s training regime has paid off, and the Hurricanes now boast virtually unrivaled levels of strategy and formation.
But one of the greatest virtues of the Carolina Hurricanes is its goalkeeping, which it has a strong record of. Even under pressure, the defending players manage to pull off impressive saves that propel the team towards deserved wins.
On top of this, the Hurricanes have enjoyed an impressive track record when it comes to penalties, often managing to put the puck in the net regardless of the defending keeper’s capabilities. With high levels of coaching under Rod Brind'Amour, the Hurricanes have a very real chance of claiming the Cup this season. Known to be consistent and reliable, they’re generally considered a fairly safe bet.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have one of the strongest defenses in ice hockey. Another thing that defines this team is its high-profile superstar players.
For instance, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain a dangerously strong defensive team, preventing powerful attacks while generating opportunities for their forwards to rack up serious goals.
In the past, the Edmonton Oilers have survived not because of their goalkeeping but despite it. Fortunately, the team seems to have turned things around, with Stuart Skinner exhibiting far better skills than the team used to have. With the boost in goalkeeping capabilities and the defending duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers may be in with a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup in 2025.
Florida Panthers
The aptly named Panthers are a highly physical team with a notoriously aggressive style of play and the muscle to back it up. The team is well constructed, with a great deal of variety and versatility, and it’s likely that at least a few players on other teams dread playing them.
The goalkeeping of Sergei Bobrovsky seems to have suffered a bit in the past, but he appears to be back on elite form this season. What the team may lack in nuance and strategy certainly makes up in raw, brutal power.
The Florida Panthers, who have a good deal of experience in playoffs, stand as good a chance as any team of charging through the playthroughs and claiming the Cup. 2024 was the Panthers' first Stanley Cup win, and they might just be on a roll.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are definitely one to watch this year, with a deep roster of great players, plenty of playoff-tested defenders, and a history of effective, smart coaching.
It is experience that really works in the Knights’ favor. Many of their players have seen a few playoffs and are likely to have learnt a thing or two about playing under pressure. It was, after all, the Vegas Golden Knights who took the cup home the year before last.
The Vegas Golden Knights have had some impressive moments in past seasons, managing to shut down attacks that would turn into goals if not for the staunch defense of the Golden Knights.
With quality coaching, a few star players, and the ability to respond quickly to new play styles, the Vegas Golden Knights could be reclaiming the Cup this year.
Outliers to Watch
Whilst the above five are those we think are most likely to win, the following dark horses are also worth watching.
- New York Rangers: A balanced team with both new and experienced players, including some world-class goaltending from Igor Shesterkin.
- Dallas Stars: With players like Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz, the Stars stand at least an outside chance this year.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Poised to enter the big leagues, the Leaves just need one or two of their players to push a little harder, and it could all be theirs.
Key Factors
The above selections haven’t been made arbitrarily; we’ve considered a range of criteria that make (or break) a team. Here’s an overview of what it takes to be a Stanley Cup winner:
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Elite Goaltending |
Stopping the puck is obviously vital, but goalkeeping is one area where some teams do much better than others. There are a few specific players this season who are excellent in goal and a few who might struggle. |
|
Depth |
If you look at the history of Stanley Cup winners, you’ll see that, more often than not, the winners are well-rounded, with good stamina and a deep bench of resilient players. |
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Special Performance |
Sometimes the edge goes to the team with a knack for penalties or power plays. Special teams can make all the difference, and the best teams are careful not to overlook this. |
|
Physicality |
Occasionally, it’s necessary to choose between speed and power, and in a game like hockey, physicality is vital. Some teams, like the Panthers, have brute force on their side. This physicality can go a long way in the playoffs. |
|
Playoff Experience |
Experience is worth a lot. Obviously, players’ performance deteriorates past a certain age, but the ability to respond, react and perform under pressure is something that takes time to learn. A great team knows the value of its veterans. |
|
Coaching |
A team is nothing without a great coach to guide and support it. Some of the teams mentioned above excel in this area, and a great coach can certainly help the team enter the playoffs in good physical and mental condition. |
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