Panthers

How The Florida Panthers Win The Stanley Cup

The Florida Panthers have made it to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season. Except this time, they are betting favorites (-130) to be the ones to hoist the Cup. 

2024 Stanley Cup Odds
TeamOdds
Florida Panthers-130
Edmonton Oilers+110

Odds as of June 4

Last season, the Cats clawed into the NHL Stanley Cup Final as +105 underdogs. It didn't take the Golden Knights long to claim the series in just five games. So, it's good to be on the favored side of things this time around.

But, that's not the only reason why the Cup lands in Florida's hands (aside from the fact that Gary Bettman would never let a Canadian team win).

Florida's recent Experience in Stanley Cup Finals 

The Panthers have built the stamina to play hockey until June -- considering they just did it last year. Coming so close to winning the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup, only for it to be snatched away right in front of them. 

Since 1927, a team that lost in the SCF and returned to the finals the following season is a promising 8-0. Hungrier? More experienced? Whatever it is, teams don't want to feel that devastating pain twice. 

Teams That Won SCF After Losing In Finals Previous Season
YearTeam
1933NY Rangers
1943Detroit Red Wings
1950Detroit Red Wings
1953Montreal Canadiens
1956Montreal Canadiens
1968Montreal Canadiens
1984Edmonton Oilers
2009Pittsburgh Penguins

 

home ice advantage 

With the exception of the 2020 postseason being played at neutral locations, teams with home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Final are 6-3 (66%) in favor of winning it all over the last decade. However, the last three championships have been won by the team with home-ice advantage (Vegas, Colorado and Tampa Bay). 

Ironically enough, Florida is also 6-3 SU at Amerant Bank Arena this postseason. But...

apparently it's Road Ice Advantage if you're the florida panthers 

The Panthers are 6-2 SU from the visitors bench, the best road record in the playoffs. Before the Stanley Cup Finals last postseason, Florida was also a whopping 8-1 SU during away meetings. 

calm, cool and collected cats

There's no such thing as cards being stacked against the Panthers. I've already established that the potential downside of being on the road doesn't phase this group. 

In these playoffs, Florida has also seen 10 games be decided by one goal. If you're a Panthers fan, I'm sure your nail beds are destroyed. But the tight scoreboards don't bother Florida, which is 7-3 SU in one-goal games. 

Finally, the Cats don't break a sweat if they're trailing, having the most wins in the playoffs when allowing the first goals (5). That's a crucial stat considering scoring first is a prominent trait for the Oilers.

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