The 2024/25 NHL marketing campaign is nicely underway, and several other groups are already flexing their muscle groups in a bid to safe the Stanley Cup. The Winnipeg Jets are a kind of groups. They began the marketing campaign in blistering style, successful a record-breaking 15 of their first 16 video games to throw their identify into title competition. Since then, they’ve slipped to 22-9-1, however with the likes of Adam Lowry of their ranks, they definitely have hopes of creating a splash as soon as the postseason will get underway subsequent 12 months,
The Florida Panthers nevertheless stay the staff to beat. They’ve reached the championship finals in every of the final two seasons, dropping the primary as a wildcard to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier than successful the second final season towards Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers. This time period, they’ve began equally nicely, racking up 18 wins, prompting on-line bookmakers comparable to these listed at https://www.oddschecker.com/us/hockey/nhl to have them as a +850 contender to retain their title this season.
However whereas these two harbor real title ambitions, some groups would simply be joyful to make it to the postseason. A number of of the league’s key gamers are at present amid gut-wrenching playoff droughts, and listed here are the three longest of them.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres maintain the longest lively playoff drought in not simply the NHL however within the franchise’s total historical past. Their final postseason look was again within the 2010-11 season once they misplaced within the first spherical to the Philadelphia Flyers, and you must return an extra 4 years for his or her final collection win. Since then, the New York State outfit has floundered via failed rebuilds, usually marred by inconsistent rosters and accidents to key gamers.
Final time period, Buffalo’s struggles continued. Ending sixth within the Atlantic Division with an 84-point marketing campaign, they as soon as once more fell wanting the postseason. Regardless of some vibrant spots, the staff struggled defensively and in the end completed seven factors behind the Washington Capitals within the ultimate wildcard spot.
Nevertheless, the 2024/25 season presents a glimmer of hope. Lindy Ruff – the franchise’s most profitable coach – has returned to steer the staff. Ruff is the final coach to take the Sabres to the playoffs, and his give attention to reigniting Buffalo’s offensive id gives trigger for cautious optimism. Younger stars comparable to Sweden captain Rasmus Dahlin and defenseman Owen Energy have the potential to excel below the veteran Ruff’s player-friendly system however they’re already some 5 wins off the tempo within the race for the playoffs, and a robust exhibiting within the New 12 months is essential to their hopes.
Detroit Crimson Wings
The Crimson Wings are a staff that has turn out to be synonymous with success. Between 1990 and 2016, they reached the playoffs each season, making all of it the way in which to the Stanley Cup Finals on six events, successful 4 of them. Nevertheless, since a first-round exit on the again finish of that streak by the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, they ushered in an period of rebuilding at one among hockey’s most storied franchises, and so they haven’t returned to the promised land since.
Detroit got here tantalizingly near breaking their drought in 2023/24, ending fifth within the Atlantic Division. Their 91-point season was simply shy of incomes them a playoff berth, as they misplaced a tiebreaker to the Washington Capitals. A lot of their success was pushed by gamers like Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, however defensive struggles and inconsistent goaltending proved pricey down the stretch. The addition of famous person Patrick Kane additionally revitalized the staff, and his additional time winner on his return to the Chicago Blackhawks was most likely the spotlight of the season.
This time period, additional modifications have been made. Veterans like Cam Talbot between the pipes and Vladimir Tarasenko on the wing goal to inject management and important expertise right into a staff that has loads of younger expertise. Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider already look to be a formidable blue-line pairing with their finest years forward of them, however whether or not they can mature to finish the staff’s barren spell this NHL season or whether or not that might be too quickly for them stays to be seen.
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