The Florida Panthers took home last year’s Stanley Cup, defeating Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. This year, other teams will be looking for their vengeance, with eyes set on the precious 2024-25 Stanley Cup trophy.

Everyone has their favorite teams to watch, but only several squads are projected to win it all. In this article, we’ll outline five of the top predicted favorites to win the NHL 2024 Stanley Cup, including what teams are projected to win this year’s Cup and how they performed near the end of the 2023 season.

#5 – Dallas Stars

Out of the five teams we’ve selected for this list, three of them, the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils, are viewed in a similar light. Last year in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars finished with 113 total points, finishing 1st in the Central Division.

Over 82 games played, the Stars won 52, finishing second in the conference for goals scored with 298. The Stars were only bested in the Western Conference Finals by the Edmonton Oilers, leading them to be perfect candidates to win the 2024 Stanley Cup behind the strong goalie play of Jake Oettinger.

#4 – Colorado Avalanche

Next on our list of favorites to win the 2024 Stanley Cup is the Colorado Avalanche, who finished third in the Central Division in 2023 with a total of 107 points.

Throughout 82 games, the Avalanche won 50 games, leading not only the Western Conference but the entire league in goals scored with 304 thanks to elite play from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Their main Western Conference rivals, the Dallas Stars, stood in their way last year, so it’s only natural that Colorado has a similar chance of winning the Stanley Cup as their Dallas counterpart.

#3 – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are #3 of our favorites to win the 2024 Stanley Cup. Despite having a horrid 2023 season, the Devils are a clear favorite this year, with a high potential to score goals thanks to Jack Hughes.

Over 82 games in 2023-24, the Devils won 38, barely achieving a losing record of 39 losses by the end of the season. This year, they look to turn their -19 goal difference into a positive, and with a few hopeful management changes (including the signing of head coach Sheldon Keefe) and consistent offensive play, the Devils will try to outscore 264 goals, their peak from last season.

#2 – Florida Panthers

The 2023 Eastern Conference champions will be looking to replicate their exact performance from last year with the hope of winning it all. The biggest favorite in the East managed to maintain 110 points over 82 games, with 268 goals for and 200 goals against, a concrete defense.

Having a solid returning team is important, which is exactly what we expect from the Florida Panthers, as they’ll look to go on a rampant revenge tour after being bested by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Cup Finals last year. Expect Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov to lead this team to another deep playoff run.

#1 – Edmonton Oilers

The overall #1 choice to win the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals this year is none other than the Western Conference powerhouse of the Edmonton Oilers. Going out last year to the Eastern Conference champions of the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers are back in action with an extremely talented offense.

In 82 games last season, the Oilers struck the back of the net 294 times, letting up only 237 goals in total. They’d win 49 of their games, finishing 2nd in the Pacific Division behind the Canucks with 104 points. It’s clear their motive this year is to win it all and end a 34-year drought of no Stanley Cup trophies, especially when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl back leading the charge.