BOSTON, MA – MAY 24: Mark Messier #11 (right) of the Edmonton Oilers helps out teammate Joe Murphy drink from the Stanley Cup in the locker room as they celebrate their Game 5 win over the Boston Bruins on May 24, 1990 at the Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. The Oilers defeated the Bruins 4-1 and won the Series 4 games to 1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
These 10 teams have what it takes to make a deep playoff run and win the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals:
1. Winnipeg Jets
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 04: A close-up detail of the Winnipeg Jets logo seen during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Combining the best defense with one of the very best offenses is the perfect recipe for success. They remain the logical pick to win the Stanley Cup for these reasons.
2. Washington Capitals
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 23: A general view of the Washington Capitals jersey logo during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on October 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
They now lead the NHL in goals per game and have looked more intimidating lately than they have all year. They are sending a resounding message that they will do everything they can to win that cup.
3. Dallas Stars
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: A general view of the Dallas Stars jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Things are all coming together at the right time for the Stars, and they will no doubt be one of the teams pushing for the cup.
4. Edmonton Oilers
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Right now, they have the look and feel of a glass cannon, which can certainly be effective but is a risky way to enter into the playoffs. Either way, Edmonton does have enough talent to make up for their defensive weaknesses and try to snag that cup regardless.
5. Carolina Hurricanes
MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 01: A closeup view of the Carolina Hurricanes’ logo during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 1, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
They remain a force to be reckoned with heading into the playoffs. If things start to break their way more, watch out!
6. Florida Panthers
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: A detail of the Florida Panthers logo during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Florida is heating up at the right time, and there’s no doubt that they will be a cup contender once again.
7. Vegas Golden Knights
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 15: A general view of the Vegas Golden Knights jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Vegas is just solid to very good all around, and this bodes well for them contending. They have no glaring weaknesses.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
They are too good to be held down for long, and this is why I have them this high in these rankings. In many ways, they have as good a chance to claim the cup as any team after Winnipeg and Washington.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is seen on a jersey during the third period of a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on October 19, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Toronto certainly has the talent to go all the way this year; they just need to put it all together.
10. New Jersey Devils
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: General view of the New Jersey Devils jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
They will be a team worth watching to see if they can ignite things a bit on offense, and in this way they are sort of the opposite in nature to Edmonton. In the end, will they prove that having a good defense is more important?
