Prediction for 2024-25 NHL Season: Which team will win Stanley Cup?

2024-25 NHL Season Predictions: Which team will win Stanley Cup? Original Post on NBC Sports Boston The 2024-25 NHL season officially kicked off last week when New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres played two exhibition games against each other in Prague, but for most other 30 teams it officially kicks off this week with Florida Panthers hosting Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday evening – an anticipated contest that has many eyeballs peeled! The Panthers will raise their first Stanley Cup championship banner and one of the teams they defeated along their path was Bruins. Although Boston lost each playoff run against them during previous campaigns, their roster saw significant improvements this offseason with top six center Elias Lindholm joining Nikita Zadorov on defense as top-four defensemen – two key upgrades over last season that contributed significantly. The Bruins also managed to reach an agreement with restricted free agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman, signing him to an eight-year, $66 million contract on Sunday. Last season’s runners up Edmonton Oilers remain favorites in the Western Conference. The Edmonton Oilers roster features several superstars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl; other perennial contenders are Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. For several seasons now, the Hurricanes have come close to reaching a Cup Final but have failed due to poor scoring late on in games. Rangers and Stars both lost to Carolina Hurricanes in previous Cup Finals but have yet to claim victory themselves. There’s usually one or more surprises each year — could the young New Jersey Devils finally come together as legitimate contenders this time around? Will Steven Stamkos lead the Predators on an extended playoff run, or can the Kings and Jets reach round 2 of playoffs? Los Angeles and Winnipeg both advanced past Round 1 since their last championship run ended, in 2014. Check back with us later today as we reveal our division, conference, and Stanley Cup predictions for 2024-25 NHL season below! Our division predictions!function()”use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(a),function(a);if (void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”],var(t),for (var r=0);rThe Atlantic Division once more brings many intriguing teams; see predictions!function()”use strict”;window.addEventListener( “message”,(function(a),function(a),function(a),function(a);window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a),function(a);window.addEventListener (function(a);window.addEventListener),function(a);window.addEventListener”, function());window.addEventListener =0);window.addEventListener(0)]);function(0));window.addEventListener(0)( a);window e 0!==>a);function(0)>function(0)>).addEventListener(), function(0));window a;function(0));window…]].again[void(0)], function(0))),window).addEventListener(),function a());window). addEventListener “messser if((function( eventListener() (((function() ((.AddEventListener;addEventListener “messer [messer],function(0)” function(0));addEventListener(0)),function;addEventListener [function( a;]=function(0)a = “messevent[in() ( a;]).add( 0=>a[ “messsener],function]a),a =function[“messener],function]],function[ a],a], function]); function a]]);a]),a]);],function]), function;] = “mess( a], function;a()],in],function],;a]), function]”_],function ( ], function],function[f =function (( ][re_function],init (]]],]_listen], function] addEventListener()], addEventListener],addEventListenerInner ||function( a);function (function(a);window],window]addEvent;a])_ a); addEvent a), function()),function a);re;a),inner).add), this);function (a]), [function(a);var E=function]a]),f),_function (a););function ( b = function());function a = “messsener =a]/ i]);if() [Message”messnnerListener=”messener “mess)!messnerner = document.querySelectorAll())=> function());for[void [function( b]()); FOR E Event Listener]_list= (function(a);$eS( Panthers and Bruins should contend for Presidents’ Trophy throughout most of this season, while Leafs pose another potential threat, though only time will tell whether or not they have enough to advance further in playoffs? Toronto has won only one playoff series since 2004, losing in four out of eleven first round contests to Boston, including Game 7 overtime loss last season.The three longest active postseason droughts all reside within the Atlantic Division: Buffalo Sabres: 13 seasonsDetroit Red Wings: Eight seasonsOttawa Senators: SevenThe Metropolitan Division could well become Toronto Rangers territory once more in terms of success or lack thereof. New York made two consecutive Eastern Conference Final appearances but lost both times, while Philadelphia surprised many by making the playoffs unexpectedly in 2024 and will look to build upon that progress. Meanwhile, New Jersey addressed their top weakness by signing veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom from Calgary Flames as recently as June. New Jersey possesses all of the pieces to become a top contender in the East. Central Division race should prove entertaining; Stars, Avalanche, Predators and Jets all possess outstanding goaltenders (with Stars being especially good). The Avalanche boast a star studded roster, including reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon. Both Oilers and Canucks should make it through to playoff contention from this division without issue; but all eyes will be watching how everything plays out further down. Can the Kraken return to the playoffs for only the second time ever in team history? For this to occur, Matty Beniers must bounce back after an underwhelming third season (37 points in 75 games). The Sharks may not win many games this season, but their fans will get to witness two of the league’s premier prospects – forward Will Smith (No. 4 pick, 2023) and Macklin Celebrini (No. 1 pick, 2024). Utah Hockey Club will make an exciting first impression as they embark on their inaugural season as an expansion franchise (previously Arizona Coyotes).Conference and Stanley Cup title predictions:Can Brad Marchand lead Boston past the second round for the first time since 2019?Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins beat New York Rangers in six games while Edmonton Oilers defeated Dallas Stars 7 games later; however Bruins ultimately prevailed as Stanley Cup champs by defeating Oilers 6 games to 5 — this would give them their sixth-straight consecutive victory win.Should Boston get past Panthers — something which they have not managed during previous playoff runs — then they could definitely go all the way. At 5-10 and over 200 pounds, their roster ranks as one of the tallest and heaviest in the league – providing them with an edge against physically punishing playoff opponents like Florida Panthers. “Well, if all our players and all their health are taken into consideration and come together healthy then there’s no question we are contenders,” Bruins president Cam Neely affirmed at a press conference last Monday. “There’s no question and that is something which I strongly believe. Our players believe this and so does our coaching staff.” “The question for us right now is… We know our defense will perform extremely well; but whether our offense produces enough is yet to be seen – although we know who has produced in the past; still need some players to step up offensively, especially as far as power play goes – something which was discussed prior to camp.” Over the second half of last season, our performance suffered. I think now that Elias Lindholm (defensive end) can play in that spot more consistently we may see improvement; so we will watch how that goes. But I believe we will still be strong contenders if all our lineup members return healthy.” “The Bruins should be strong defensive team with elite goaltending from Swayman. Their primary vulnerability could be scoring depth after their offense dwindled against Panthers during playoffs. Can Lindholm help rectify that at 5-on-5 and on the power play? Absolutely. It should. He can score 60-75 points if healthy and is known for his Selke-caliber defense. Should the Bruins face Edmonton Oilers in the Cup Final, Swayman must perform admirably due to their offensive power; otherwise it would make for an extremely thrilling series and give Boston some measure of revenge from 1988 and 1990 losses at Edmonton’s hands.