The Florida Panthers might as well have been the perfect underdogs last season, starting the season slowly with an 18-12-2 record before going 34-12-4 the rest of the way. For the 2024-2025 season, plenty of other teams will be looking to make their mark as the underdogs, teams not fully expected to win it all.

Everyone loves a good underdog story, especially when the unexpected happens. Whether you support a favorite or an underdog, in this article, we’ll outline the top five underdogs that can win the 2024 Stanley Cup.

#5 – Minnesota Wild

Coming off a poor performance last season, the Minnesota Wild made our list of underdogs to win the Stanley Cup. Over 82 games, the Wild accumulated 87 points off just 39 wins, finishing in the Central Division at a disappointing 6th place.

Their main problem was their defense, letting up 263 goals, which they could be a surprising force this season if they can sort out their defensive lines. The signing of D Brock Faber to an eight-year deal should provide stability to their defense. Additionally, the offense seems to have no problem, netting 251 goals, so offensive consistency will be key in putting them up as underdogs to win the Stanley Cup this year.

#4 – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks finished first place in the Pacific Division within the Western Conference last year with 50 wins and 109 points. Their campaign would end only with the division’s 2nd place Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs, although not before the Canucks managed to rack up 279 goals letting in only 223.

Although they fell flat by the end of last year to an exceptional team in the Oilers, you can expect the Canucks to be perfect underdog candidates to win the 2024 Stanley Cup as most of their team will be back and ready to roll.

#3 – Los Angeles Kings

Finishing 3rd place in the Pacific Division in the West last season behind both the Canucks and Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings are considered an underdog this year when it comes to winning the Cup.

Another playoff team that fell victim to the Oilers last year, the Kings still had a relatively good season, scoring 256 team goals in 82 games to earn 99 overall points. When we compare some of these teams and performances from last season, it’s easy to see that the Western Conference’s Pacific Division is tough, as many underdog teams from that division will look for their stake in the trophy this year.

#2 – Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins might’ve been completely outshined by the Eastern Conference’s Florida Panthers last year, but that’s nothing to sulk about. The Bruins finished 2nd in the Atlantic Division last year, just behind the Panthers with 109 points (Panthers had 110). Boston netted 267 goals while letting up 224. Their biggest storyline has been trading Linus Ullmark to the Senators, but Jeremy Swayman showed how elite he can be in last year’s postseason.

If the Bruins can replicate something similar to their 47 wins and 20-loss record from 2023, we may have a perfect choice for an underdog to win the Stanley Cup this year. 

#1 – Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lighting will look to go for it all this year, and for us, they are the #1 underdog choice when it comes to winning this year’s Stanley Cup. Falling just short of 100 points last season with 98 total, they still racked up 291 goals, finishing 4th overall in the Atlantic while surprisingly not leading the league in goals scored (Maple Leafs scored 303).

Much like the other teams on this list, Tampa Bay would be bested by the Florida Panthers in the playoffs. The Lightning’s offense is nearly immaculate, and Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and Victor Hedman will all be hungry for another Stanley Cup.