5 Big Surprises in the NHL So Far
December 31, 2022
In the National Hockey League, nothing is guaranteed. Teams and players can make a big jump in development while others can fall off drastically.
Advertisement
Menu
In the National Hockey League, nothing is guaranteed. Teams and players can make a big jump in development while others can fall off drastically.
From 1993 to 2021, the Florida Panthers had zero seasons having over 50 wins. This year, they fell just short of 60 and managed to win the Presidents’ Trophy by three points over the highly touted Colorado Avalanche.
The Presidents Trophy-winning Florida Panthers have arguably been the NHL’s best team from wire to wire. Their elite talent and production have south Florida hoping for the team’s first Stanley Cup Finals birth since 1996.
The Florida Panthers have nothing to be ashamed about. They had the second-best record in the central division and the fourth-most points in the NHL. The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in five years, but that euphoria was short-lived as they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
With the return of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov to the lineup, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be more formidable than ever. They will be meeting their in-state rival Florida Panthers for the first time in the postseason.
It has been a rough go of things for the Florida Panthers. With only two appearances in the Playoffs (both first-round exits), they cannot seem to build a core. But another season is upon us, and the Panthers look to take the ice on September 16 against the Nashville Predators, and another chance to right the ship behind newly appointed head coach Joel Quenneville.
In the National Hockey League, nothing is guaranteed. Teams and players can make a big jump in development while others can fall off drastically.
From 1993 to 2021, the Florida Panthers had zero seasons having over 50 wins. This year, they fell just short of 60 and managed to win the Presidents’ Trophy by three points over the highly touted Colorado Avalanche.
The Presidents Trophy-winning Florida Panthers have arguably been the NHL’s best team from wire to wire. Their elite talent and production have south Florida hoping for the team’s first Stanley Cup Finals birth since 1996.
The Florida Panthers have nothing to be ashamed about. They had the second-best record in the central division and the fourth-most points in the NHL. The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in five years, but that euphoria was short-lived as they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
With the return of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov to the lineup, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be more formidable than ever. They will be meeting their in-state rival Florida Panthers for the first time in the postseason.
It has been a rough go of things for the Florida Panthers. With only two appearances in the Playoffs (both first-round exits), they cannot seem to build a core. But another season is upon us, and the Panthers look to take the ice on September 16 against the Nashville Predators, and another chance to right the ship behind newly appointed head coach Joel Quenneville.
Visit ChiefsBlitz.com for
hard-hitting KC Chiefs coverage.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/PA/IL) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only) or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only) or TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789.
© Copyright 2025 Prime Time Sports Talk. All Rights reserved. • Privacy Policy