This summer, North American sports fans have only had soccer to feast on to get their sporting fix. In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, that didn’t end well for neither Americans nor Canadians, as the former was eliminated in the second round and the latter didn’t even make it out of the group stages. At least Lionel Messi’s arrival in the MLS with Inter Miami provided plenty of excitement.
Panthers goalie Sergi Bobrovsky makes a glove save during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
But as we head into the fall, the North American sporting calendar is getting back underway. The NFL returned on September 7th with a shocking upset that saw the Detroit Lions stun the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. And the return of the planet’s top football league can only mean one thing… the return of the NHL is right around the corner.
The curtain on the 2023/24 season will officially be raised in October as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena. And following on from last season, excitement couldn’t be any higher. One of the main reasons for that is the Lightning’s Floridian rivals, the Florida Panthers.
The Panthers’ Run to the Finals
Prior to last season getting underway, the Sunrise-based outfit had only reached the playoffs six times since the turn of the millennium. Despite that though, just like the Miami Heat in the NBA, the Panthers made headlines the world over. They headed into the playoffs as rank outsiders but embarked on a fairytale run that upset the apple cart of the league’s usual elite.
They entered the postseason as a wildcard and were widely expected to be dumped out in the very first round by the top-seeded Boston Bruins, who had topped the Eastern Conference all season long. However, much to the amazement of everyone, they managed to stun their illustrious opponents, winning the series in a seven-game thriller. They would follow that up by knocking out the Canadian powerhouse Toronto Maple Leafs to secure a first visit to the Conference Finals in 27 years.
There they would come up against the winners of the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes. And if anyone thought that this is where their journey would end, they were cruelly mistaken. They managed to whitewash the newly minted divisional champs, securing a 4-0 series victory and securing a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals for just the second time in franchise history. Laying in wait were the Vegas Golden Knights, and they proved to be one hurdle too many.
The Nevada-based outfit was heavily favored for success, and they duly delivered, running out 4-1 series winners and lifting the famed trophy for the first time. Despite them entering the new campaign as the reigning champions, hockey betting providers don’t fancy them to retain their crown next season. They have been given odds +1100, good enough for sixth overall in the odds list, to lift the trophy once more.
With the Florida Panthers fresh in our minds after their exploits last term, we decided to take a look at five other shocking results from over the years. So, without further ado, here are four of the biggest upsets in NHL Playoffs history.
1993 Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
In the 1993 playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs were facing the Los Angeles Kings in the Conference final. The Kings were up by three games, and winning just one more game would have sent them to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Leafs won the next three games, tying the series, and forcing a seventh game. In the final game, Wayne Gretzky gave away a crucial penalty that led to the Maple Leafs scoring twice in an incredible comeback win to clinch the game.
1982 Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
In the early 80s, the Vancouver Canucks were not known for their success in the playoffs. However, in 1982, they had a moment of glory that left hockey fans in awe. They faced the Chicago Blackhawks, who were heavy favorites to win the series. But in one of the greatest upsets in NHL playoff history, the Canucks went on to win the series in five games.
2019 Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
In the 2018-2019 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning were leading the NHL standings with a record of 62 wins and only 16 losses. They looked like clear candidates to win the Stanley Cup. However, in the first round of the playoffs, they faced the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were undoubtedly the underdogs. The series went to four straight victories for Columbus, who shocked the Lightning in one of the most stunning upsets in recent NHL history.
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2014 Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
The Los Angeles Kings made it on this list again, but this time as the victors. In the 2014 playoffs, they were facing the San Jose Sharks and were on the brink of elimination after being down 3-0. The Kings won the next four games, completing an unbelievable comeback and becoming the fourth team in NHL history to do so.
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