As the NHL season barrels toward its conclusion, the race for the Stanley Cup is heating up, with several teams staking their claim as contenders. But as we near the final stretch of the regular season, not all frontrunners are on solid ground. Some favorites have faltered, while other teams are showing signs of late-season brilliance. The unpredictable nature of the league has kept fans on the edge of their seats, making this year’s playoff race one of the most exciting in recent memory.
As of this writing, (March 24), two teams top the betting odds: the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars, both of whom made some savvy additions to their squad at the trade deadline earlier this month.
Also, while both teams are worthy of sitting atop the odds, they aren’t a lock to make the Stanley Cup final this year for several reasons.
First, the Panthers have been inconsistent of late, with one of the reasons being defenseman Caleb Jones, one of their trade deadline additions. Brought in to replace suspended RH defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Jones (once a stud for the Columbus Blue Jackets before being traded to Chicago), has struggled just as much as he did while with the Blackhawks.
Then, there’s the Matthew Tkachuk situation.
A gritty pest of a forward who can score, Tkachuk sustained a lower-body injury during the 4 Nations Cup, and at this point, no one knows what the injury is or when he might return. That alone makes him a question mark for a team hunting for a postseason berth. To that end, even with the addition of former Bruins captain Brad Marchand – a proven playoff performer – the Panthers would still be significantly weakened without Tkachuk and with Jones struggling to find his form.
Moving on, the next two teams on the list are the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers.
After basically re-making half their team, the Avalanche have caught fire. Their goaltending, with Mackenzie Blackwood in the net, is looking solid, while their deep forward group has been performing well across the board. They have also looked better defensively, too.
Meanwhile, the inconsistent Oilers have sustained two key players out of commission.
Superstar forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are currently out for at least a week. While their injuries are described as minor, this could be a strategic understatement by the team as it tries to stay in playoff contention.
More concerning, however, is the team's goaltending and defense. Stuart Skinner has been inconsistent in net, and the Oilers' defensive corps is plagued by regular breakdowns. In short, the Oilers don't deserve to be ranked so highly.
At the same time, it's difficult to justify why the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals are ranked lower than the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes as Stanley Cup contenders. Both the Jets and Capitals have consistently performed at a high level throughout the season, showcasing a well-rounded, reliable game that makes them strong playoff candidates.
The Jets, led by the stellar goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck, have been solid in all areas, with a balanced offensive attack and a defense that has held strong throughout the year. Similarly, the Capitals, with Logan Thompson playing well between the pipes, have also excelled defensively while boasting a potent offense that keeps them competitive in every matchup. These two teams have proven themselves time and again, with no major weaknesses holding them back.
In contrast, both the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, while undeniably solid and well-balanced, lack the kind of game-breaking talent that could carry them deep into the playoffs. Despite winning their fair share of games, neither team has the dynamic players who can take over a game or produce in clutch moments when it matters most.
Simply put, the Jets and Capitals should be rated ahead of Vegas and Carolina, as they not only have the depth and consistency to succeed but also possess the necessary star power and playoff pedigree to make a deep run toward the Cup.
Finally, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs round out the top-10 Stanley Cup contenders.
The Lightning have certainly raised their level of play recently, with Andrei Vasilevskiy continuing to be a reliable presence in the net. However, their defensive corps remains thin, and their forward depth is limited to just two solid lines, leaving question marks beyond that. Their lack of depth could prove problematic in a long playoff run, especially when facing teams with more balanced lineups.
As for the Maple Leafs, they remain an unpredictable force. Despite their offensive firepower, the Leafs’ game is often marred by regular defensive lapses that frequently leave their goalies—Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll—vulnerable. The absence of consistent defensive play has been a constant issue. Additionally, star sniper Auston Matthews has been playing through an injury, which has affected his performance, while fellow stars like William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares have been hot and cold. Adding to the uncertainty, both Stolarz and Woll lack any meaningful playoff experience, further complicating their Cup aspirations.
With only 10 to 12 games remaining in the regular season, much can still change, including the emergence of new injury concerns or the rise of unexpected contenders. As things stand, there is no clear favorite to win the Stanley Cup, making the final stretch of the season both thrilling and unpredictable. It’s shaping up to be a compelling race, with numerous teams still in the hunt for their shot at glory.
