After its annual close season hiatus, the NHL has returned and the 2024/25 campaign has gotten underway with a bang. The Florida Panthers head into the new campaign as the reigning champions after holding off a late rally from the Edmonton Oilers in last season’s Stanley Cup finals.
The Sunshine State outfit raced into a three-game lead in the championship series, only for Connor McDavid and Co. to come roaring back, tying things up at three games apiece. However, the Floridians held their nerve, claiming a narrow 2-1 victory in game seven to seal their first-ever championship.
Now attention turns to the 2024/25 season, and whether the Cats can retain their crown. The bookies certainly feel like they have a chance, and those looking to try out online sports betting in Canada can back the reigning champions to emerge victorious once again at odds of +800. To put that into context, only last season’s beaten finalists have shorter odds (+750) and the bookmakers feel that Florida is in with a shot once more.
So far this term, Canadian teams have taken center stage with varying degrees of success. Let’s take a look into how each team has performed, and what we can expect to see of them throughout the rest of the campaign.
Record Breaking Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have had an electrifying start to the season, picking up a scarcely believable 13 wins in their first 14 games, becoming just the second team in history to amass such a mighty early season record after the 2007-08 Ottawa Senators. Their stellar performances have secured them the top spot among their compatriots, while they also sit as the number-one ranked team in the entire league.
Netminder Connor Hellebuyck has been in scintillating form, recording a league-best three shutouts, including two in back-to-back games against the upstart Utah Hockey Club and the Colorado Avalanche. But it isn’t just between the pipes and on defense where the Jets are flying. They have also been firing on all cylinders in attack as well.
Their fearsome offensive is evident in the sheer number of goals scored – 63 of them to be exact – contributing to a whopping +33 goal differential. Key players like Kyle Connor – who has already racked up 18 points with ten goals and eight assists – have been instrumental. The recent 7-1 drubbing against the Minnesota Wild could well be a sign of things to come, and expect their Stanley Cup odds to be slashed if they continue in this kind of form.
Contenders
Vancouver Canucks fans have every reason to be optimistic as their team boasts a strong 7-2-3 start. Accumulating 17 points, the British Columbia outfit has demonstrated plenty of resilience, particularly on the road, where they hold a remarkable 6-1-0 record. Elias Pettersson has been a standout, contributing 15 points with 6 goals and 9 assists, and his impressive displays have catapulted his team to third place in the Pacific Division.
Over on the East Coast, people travel from far and wide to visit Toronto, and one of the primary reasons for that is the iconic Maple Leafs. They are the second most successful team in history and have also enjoyed a steady start to the current campaign, picking up seven wins in their first 15 games, with five of their victories coming on home turf. Auston Matthews continues to lead the charge with 12 goals and 4 assists, making him one of the top scorers in the league, and he will be hoping that his side can improve their form on the road if they are to have any hope of ending their almighty 58-year Stanley Cup drought.
The Calgary Flames have also enjoyed a steady – if unspectacular – start, posting the same record as the aforementioned Maple Leafs. Their goal differential of -3 suggests some defensive lapses, but the Alberta side has shown they can compete with the best on any given night. Jonathan Huberdeau has been crucial and will continue to be so if his side is to return to the playoffs after back-to-back misses.
Room For Improvement
The Edmonton Oilers are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this season, which is all the more surprising considering their disappointing start to the new campaign. They have picked up just six wins in their first 14, while their goal differential of -12 indicates a team struggling to find its rhythm. Connor McDavid remains at his mercurial best, racking up 20 points already as he looks to reclaim the Art Ross Trophy, but whether he can also lead his team to the championship for the first time since the days of Wayne Gretzky remains to be seen.
The Ottawa Senators have had a similarly rocky start, with a 6-7-0 record. Their positive goal differential shows they can score effectively, but defensive inconsistencies have cost them – although they are still somewhat clear of the Montreal Canadiens. Despite being the most successful side in NHL history, the Bell Center side’s woes seemingly know no end, and they are currently rock bottom of the Atlantic Division after claiming just four wins.