Winning the Stanley Cup two years in a row is tough. Only three teams have done it in the last 30 years: the Red Wings, Penguins, and Lightning. The Florida Panthers are trying to do it again after winning last June.
The Panthers are off to a strong start this season with 38 points from 18 wins out of 30 games. They sit seventh in the league with a .633 win percentage, which gives them hope for another championship run.
Florida kept their core players, which is crucial for success. Sam Reinhart was a big name in free agency but stayed with an eight-year deal worth $69 million. He leads the team with 19 goals and 39 points so far . Anton Lundell also re-signed for six years at $30 million and has contributed well this season. Carter Verhaeghe secured his future too, signing an eight-year contract worth $56 million.
Special Teams and Challenges:
The Panthers’ special teams are impressive this year; their power play ranks seventh at 26.8%, while their penalty kill stands at twelfth with an 80.9% success rate. Their combined performance places them fifth overall in the league, showing they can score even when short-handed.
Fans might think that if these numbers hold up, Florida could be favorites come playoff time! But there’s always room for surprises…
However, goaltending remains a concern for Florida. Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been as sharp as expected; his save percentage of .892 is lower than usual, ranking him poorly among goalies this season. Spencer Knight also struggles with similar stats across just eleven games played.
Despite these hurdles between the pipes , FanDuel lists Florida tied second-highest odds (+1000) to win again next year! What do you think? Can they overcome challenges and repeat history?
