View of the Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League’s championship trophy, taken during the cup’s 100th year anniversary, New York, New York, November 1992. The cup is named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley. (Photo by Scott Levy/Getty Images)
The Stanley Cup playoffs are heating up, and here are the 10 teams remaining who have the best chance of raising Lord Stanley in 2025:
1. 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 took a 3-1 series lead over the Canadiens with their big win in game 4. They should finish the series off in 5 games, and look to be on a collision course with the Hurricanes in round 2.
2. 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)
The Golden Knights are armed with a lethal offense and shielded by an even better defense. They are looking like a serious contender for the cup this year. They tied up their series at 2 with the Wild and head home for a pivotal game 5.
3. 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)
The Jets move down in these rankings because they have lost 2 games in a row to the Blues, allowing 12 goals in the 2 games while only scoring 3.
4. 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)
This is the best the Leafs have looked all season. They are leading their series over the Sens 3-1. However, each of the past 3 games have gone to OT, so are the Leafs just lucky?
5. 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)
The defending champs have handled the high-octane Tampa Bay offense pretty well to this point. They lead the series 2-1 and have a chance to go up 3-1 tonight at home.
6. 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 have dominated the Devils so far and lead the series 3-1. It looks like they will take on the Caps in round 2, which will be a tough task, but not an impossible one for this very solid Canes squad.
6. Los Angeles Kings
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: A closeup view of the Los Angeles Kings crest during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Kings have one of the best defenses this year and have really built up considerable momentum to finish the regular season. They blew a chance to go up 3-1 in the series over the Oilers in game 4, but things do head back to LA now.
7. 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)
They have been one of the best teams all season. They head home for game five against the Avs with the series tied at 2.
8. Colorado Avalanche
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche skates on the ice during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
They won game one of the series, lost games 2 and 3, but won game four at home to get things back on track. Either them or the Stars could make a run in the West; they just have to get by each other first.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa crawled back into the series with their game three win, but they need to win 4 in Florida to really have any chance. Going down 3-1 to the defending champs would all but seal their fate.
