A fresh Stanley Cup champion is guaranteed this season following the defending Florida Panthers’ elimination from playoff contention due to injury troubles.
Florida isn’t alone among traditional powerhouses missing the postseason, while approximately six new teams have secured spots in the 16-team tournament. The Buffalo Sabres are among those newcomers, and Pittsburgh has returned to playoff action.
Colorado has shown exceptional performance throughout the season since October, entering as the top contender after securing the league’s best regular season record. However, regular season success rarely translates to Cup victory after four playoff rounds, making both Eastern and Western Conference outcomes highly unpredictable.
“Every team in the playoffs can win,” Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Every series is a tough series. That’s what’s so amazing about the NHL playoffs: It brings out the best in everybody, in every team, and it creates an unbelievable battle no matter who’s playing.”
Buffalo concluded the NHL’s longest postseason absence at 14 years, achieving this milestone despite losing 18 of their initial 29 contests.
“It’s something that we strived for from Day One,” said Lindy Ruff, who is among the favorites to be coach of the year. “You’ve got to feel good about getting there. It’s hard. We’re in a division that’s been extremely hard to get there. You’ve got to look back and say that we did a lot of good things to get to this point.”
Buffalo appears capable of making significant impact in the Eastern Conference without Florida’s presence, having performed exceptionally well since the Olympic break.
Pittsburgh also finished strong, earning their first playoff berth since 2022 under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Despite being 6-1 longshots on BetMGM Sportsbook in October, the Penguins’ veteran core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang secured another postseason opportunity.
“A lot of people doubted us and I guess counted us out, and it just put fuel on the fire for us,” said defenseman Ryan Shea, who’s set to make his NHL playoff debut at 29. “I’ve been in the playoffs in the AHL, which was fun, but this is the best league in the world.”
Utah reached the playoffs in just their second season since relocating to Salt Lake City. Anaheim also qualified with their developing roster under three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville.
Colorado rightfully holds championship favorite status. Nathan MacKinnon stands as a potential MVP candidate, Cale Makar could claim top defenseman honors, and Nazem Kadri’s trade deadline return provides the depth necessary for another Denver celebration, four years after their previous title.
However, they must navigate either Dallas or Minnesota in the second round just to reach the Western Conference finals.
“Confident for sure: Believe in this group. I know we have what it takes,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “It’s going to be a long, tough road and mentally, physically grinding. I think we’re ready for it.”
The Dallas-Minnesota opening matchup creates immediate excitement, featuring two top-seven teams in a series guaranteeing one elite squad’s early elimination by mid-May. This results from the division-based format that Commissioner Gary Bettman credits with creating superior first-round competition.
“That makes for great matchups,” Bettman said. “If you’re a fan of the game and you’re looking for excitement, you’re looking to be entertained, you’re looking for intriguing stories, this format does it.”
Multiple U.S. Olympic gold medalists have opportunities to add Stanley Cup victories to their 2024 achievements.
Colorado’s Brock Nelson contributed 30 goals after his Olympic performance in Milan. Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, Buffalo’s Tage Thompson, Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel, Minnesota’s Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson all remain in contention, alongside goaltenders Jeremy Swayman from Boston and Dallas’ Jake Oettinger.
Canadian stars view their Olympic silver medals as disappointments and seek redemption. This includes Edmonton’s Connor McDavid following consecutive Cup final defeats, and Crosby, whose injury prevented him from playing in the gold medal game as he pursues a fourth NHL championship.
“That’s the best time of year,” Crosby said. “That’s why you play.”
