The Florida Panthers started their turnaround within the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Florida had a disappointing 2022-23 common season following a franchise-record-setting 2021-22 marketing campaign. Nonetheless, Florida was in a position to make the playoffs regardless of all the pieces. They usually made their shot rely. The Panthers superior to the Stanley Cup Last in 2023 towards the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sadly, they didn’t increase Lord Stanley’s Cup. The truth is, the sequence wasn’t significantly shut. The Panthers had been outmatched all through the sequence. They usually misplaced the deciding Recreation 5 by a rating of 9-3. It was a brutal method for the Cinderella run to finish. But it surely was not the final time we noticed this staff within the Last.
The Panthers went from underdog to favourite in 2024. They made it again to the Stanley Cup Last, this time towards Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. They practically blew a 3-0 sequence result in their Canadian opponents, however they got here by way of ultimately. The Panthers received their first Stanley Cup in franchise historical past in Recreation 7 by the rating of 2-1.
The Panthers haven’t formally clinched a spot within the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nonetheless, they actually aren’t far off. Florida will defend its title within the postseason this yr. And listed here are two causes this staff can repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2025.
Panthers’ scoring depth stays spectacular
One factor that helped the Panthers by way of the Stanley Cup Playoffs final season was their scoring depth. Florida may depend on quite a lot of gamers to generate offense once they wanted it. The truth is, 9 gamers had 10 or extra factors throughout final season’s Cup run. One different participant — Vladimir Tarasenko — had 9 factors.
This season, the Panthers offense stays fairly deep. 13 gamers on this roster have scored 20 or extra factors. 9 gamers have reached double digits when it comes to targets. These totals go up by one participant when you embrace commerce pickup Brad Marchand, who came visiting from the Boston Bruins on the 2025 NHL Commerce Deadline.
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Scoring depth is extraordinarily vital for any staff within the postseason. Groups are inclined to play extraordinarily tight defensively, and the video games are way more bodily. The Panthers are greater than prepared to play this type of model. In an effort to win, they want targets from a number of gamers. They need to don’t have any concern receiving these well timed targets within the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Panthers loaded up at NHL Commerce Deadline
As talked about, the Panthers traded for Marchand on the 2025 NHL Commerce Deadline. The previous Bruins captain brings a ton of playoff expertise to the roster. Whereas he’s harm, the veteran winger stays an efficient top-six offensive producer when he’s on the ice. He may have a large impression on Florida’s postseason run when he lastly takes the ice.
Nonetheless, Marchand is just not the one participant the Panthers picked up. Florida made one other large commerce with the Chicago Blackhawks to land defenseman Seth Jones. This transfer was actually wanted in hindsight, given an damage to Dmitry Kulikov and a suspension handed to Aaron Ekblad.
Florida additionally added some insurance coverage on the backside of their ahead lineup. The Panthers traded for Nico Sturm in a commerce with the San Jose Sharks. Sturm has largely been deployed as Florida’s fourth-line heart since his transfer to Dawn.
Scoring depth is actually vital, however total depth is paramount. With the ability to roll 4 strains is essential to successful video games within the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers not solely can roll all 4 strains, they improved upon the implausible basis they already had. The defending champions are poised to be a really harmful staff as soon as the postseason will get underway.