Why the Florida Panthers Will Win the Stanley Cup

Alright, while this may not come true, I want to make the case of why I think the Florida Panthers will win the Stanley Cup in 2024. Last year, the Panthers were railroaded by the Vegas Golden Knights. But what made this team special was the fact that they got in on the final Wild Card spot. The Pittsburgh Penguins lost two of their last games against two of the worst teams in the league. The Panthers won their last few games outright.

When it comes down to the wire, hardly anyone expects the underdog to come out on top. The Panthers were that dark horse last year. They defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of their series. They beat the Maple Leafs in five games and the Carolina Hurricanes in four games. This would all be cut short by the Vegas Golden Knights winning their first Stanley Cup.

For the 2024 Playoffs, the Panthers have built-in advantages. For one, Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best goalies in the butterfly era. The Panthers have one of the best powerplays in the league, as well as one of the best penalty kills. The Panthers have killed off 82.47% of their penalties during the regular season. This puts them 6th in the league. They are also ranked 8th in overall team powerplay percentage during the regular season with 23.08%.

Teams with these numbers can easily have a hot streak and win the Stanley Cup. Last year, the Panthers barely got into the playoffs with a lower power play percentage and penalty kill percentage. The Florida Panthers still have most of the same roster from last year. They know their systems like the back of their hands.

I believe that the Panthers can defeat everyone right now. Whether that team is in the East or the West. They have just defeated a tough Lightning team in five games. While I do believe that Boston can pose a challenge for them, they can use what they know from last year to defeat them. But what about the Rangers? The Rangers are the President Trophy winners this year. The Florida Panthers could beat the Rangers with their 3rd and 4th lines. The Rangers’ top lines are nothing to sneeze at, but the Panthers could succeed with 3rd and 4th lines.

This is a game of stamina and inches. The Florida Panthers are a relatively young team, but I believe they are ready because they know what to expect. They have learned from their mistakes. No matter who they face I think they will come out on top because of their breakout, forechecks, and their defence.