Fansided

Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019

By Griffin Youngs

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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20. Florida Panthers

Things are looking up for the long cursed Florida Panthers after a strong offseason and renewed confidence in the organization. Could this finally be the year they win a playoff series?

Last season, the Panthers finished one point out of a playoff spot with 96 points, enough for 15th in the league.

Why they could win

This rebuilt Panthers lineup makes for one serious sleeper team this season. They’ve slowly been improving every season, and were just one point away from getting into the final wild card spot last season with a lineup that isn’t as good as it is today.

The first line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Alexander Barkov and Evgeny Dadonov could develop into the best lines in the league this season if they keep trending on their current path. Unlike last season however, the Panthers will be getting a huge boost from their other lines. The addition of Mike Hoffman after taking advantage of his lowered trade value makes a lethal top six, and with top center prospect Henrik Borgstrom ready for a full season, their center depth is set for years to come.

Speaking of Barkov, he’s one of the most underrated players in the league at the moment and is primed for a breakout season that could carry the Panthers into the playoffs along with their new additions to the lineup. Florida actually has a lot of players like Aaron Ekblad and Vincent Trocheck that don’t get enough credit for how good they are because Florida isn’t a very popular market.

Florida is the first team on this list that will very likely make the playoffs, and the Panthers could be a threat with a lineup this deep on offense. The Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup after breaking their playoff curse, and who knows what the Panthers could do if they can do the same?

Why they won’t win

The Panthers are slowly but surely looking like a playoff team sure, but that’s an entirely different ballgame then winning the Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers are currently on the longest playoff series win drought in the entire NHL, having last won a series in 1996 when they went to the Stanley Cup Finals.

They do have a solid first defensive pairing with Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad, but there’s not much after that. Roberto Luongo is also now 39 and not getting any younger, and while he is still a great goalie he’s been getting injured a lot which will eventually take a toll.

Conclusion

While Florida makes it into the playoffs, the Panthers won’t be able to crack the top three in the stacked Atlantic Division without a massive drop-off from the Lightning, Maple Leafs or Bruins, and they’d be stuck in a wild card spot. They won’t make it out of the first round with a defense that’s lacking so much depth in front of an aging goalie, along with the added pressure of being the team with the longest playoff series drought.

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