Can Florida Panthers Top the Eastern Conference?

It has been quite a season for the Florida Panthers after they just finished the 2024 campaign with a win in the Stanley Cup Final. Now that the team is finally back on the chase, it does seem that they have found some obstacles on the way with new contenders on the rise. But can they find their way back to the peak of the Eastern Conference?

Setting Expectations: Where Does Florida Stand in the Race to the Top?

The Panthers entered the 2024-25 season as heavy favorites to win the Stanley Cup Final once again, and it was undeniable that the team was expected to make waves as the top contender. With a host of other strong teams also vying for the title, it was clear that this season would be a massive battle, one of the most competitive in recent memory.

As the season progressed, the Panthers were still favored to repeat as champions in the 2024-25 campaign and the subsequent 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The only team to have ever managed to pull off a back-to-back victory in the Stanley Cup Final was their Florida counterparts, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who accomplished the feat in 2020 and 2021.

The Panthers need to make a dash to the top image

NHL Eastern Conference Standings (Top Five)

Rank	Team	Games Played	Record (W-L-OT)	Points
1	Washington Capitals	44	29-10-5	63
2	New Jersey Devils	46	26-15-5	57
3	Toronto Maple Leafs	45	27-16-2	57
4	Carolina Hurricanes	45	26-16-3	55
5	Florida Panthers	45	26-16-3	55

So far, the team has been really promising when it comes to finding winning plays, and they have yet to make a climb on the big stage once more considering how the likes of the Washington Capitals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the New Jersey Devils have all managed to rise to a bigger winning stride now more than ever.

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What Does Florida Need to Do to Climb in the Standings?

Florida is in a dire need to make a big climb in their standings if they are going to make a strong push for their chances to repeat as the Stanley Cup winners. For context, the odds are shaping up to be far from the Panthers’ favor, and that will prove to be quite a problem if they don’t solve their issues.

2025 Stanley Cup Betting Odds (Updated as of January 17, 2025)

Rank	Team	Open Odds	Best Odds to Win
1	Edmonton Oilers	+1000	+650
2	Toronto Maple Leafs	+1400	+800
3	Vegas Golden Knights	+1100	+900
4	New Jersey Devils	+1300	+1000
5	Dallas Stars	+1000	+1100
6	Florida Panthers	+900	+1200

Based on the current odds, it does seem that the Florida Panthers have fallen far from the top spot when they opened the season, and now getting back into the league standings could do them a favor and help them find their way to the winning option for many bettors.

But if you are quite the expert on sports betting, GambleSpot’s parlay and odds calculator may be of big help if you plan to bet on multiple teams and create interesting parlays on the NHL and even other sports.

So what does Florida need to pull off if they plan to win it all and get back to the top of the standings?

Ride on a Winning Streak

The Panthers' schedule is packed with challenging matchups against divisional rivals and teams vying for the same playoff spots. While the road to the top of the Eastern Conference may be tough, Florida has the talent to overcome it — provided they can find that elusive consistency.

The upcoming stretch of games could very well define their season. If the Panthers can put together a solid winning streak, they not only have the chance to reclaim their rightful place at the top of the East but also send a message that they’re a team to be reckoned with as the postseason approaches.

The Panthers need a winning streak image

The Panthers' offense has been one of their strongest assets, but they’ve also shown lapses in defensive coverage and goaltending. To make the leap to the top spot, Florida will need to play a more complete game, finding a balance between aggressive offense and reliable defense. They also need to maintain a high level of play in net, especially with key goaltenders Spencer Knight and Sergei Bobrovsky.

Lock Up the Defense

As the Florida Panthers continue to battle for playoff positioning, one glaring issue has emerged: their defensive play. Over the past 10 games, the Panthers have allowed a concerning 24 goals — an average of 2.4 goals per game — which is simply too high for a team with aspirations of competing for the top spots in the Eastern Conference.

While Florida’s offensive weapons, including Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, have been able to keep the team competitive, the Panthers’ inability to consistently shut down opposing offenses has put unnecessary pressure on their goaltenders and undermined their overall success.

Defense is key for the Panthers image

If the Panthers want to make a serious push toward the top of the Eastern Conference, they must fix this defensive vulnerability. Without an improved defensive game, the Panthers risk becoming a high-scoring team with more holes than they can fill — a recipe for disappointment come playoff time.

Add Changes to Goal Scoring System

The Florida Panthers have one of the most dynamic offensive lineups in the NHL, yet their scoring output hasn’t been as consistent as it should be given the talent at their disposal. While the team has the ability to generate high-quality chances, they often struggle with their overall offensive system, leading to stagnation in the offensive zone. They have a tendency to rely too heavily on individual efforts or quick, perimeter plays instead of establishing a sustained presence in the offensive zone.

Changes are needed in the goal scoring side image

Additionally, the Panthers must improve their power play execution and create more consistent offensive zone pressure. Despite boasting talented players like Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart, their power play has lacked the flow and unpredictability needed to capitalize on man-advantage situations.

Too often, the Panthers have been caught settling for low-percentage shots or struggling to set up in the zone against aggressive penalty kills. To address this, the Panthers need to focus on better puck movement and precision, with more emphasis on quick, creative passes that can open up space for their shooters.

Can the Panthers Make a Climb to the Top of the East?

The chances of winning for the Panthers aren’t that bad, and it does seem that the defending champions are clearly on the rise once more. This season will be a landmark campaign as no contender in the league or even a defending champion has managed to repeat in a long while, but if Florida can make the necessary tweaks to their game, then they may well have a chance to win it all while also pulling off a late run like they did in the previous season.

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