Every NHL season has its surprises. Powerhouses rise and fall, and under-the-radar teams catch fire at the perfect time. With the postseason on the horizon, the 2025–26 campaign feels ripe for unexpected contenders to break through.
NHL teams need to get through the Florida Panthers if they are looking to win a Cup. Photo by Jack.SMart@prohockeynews.com
The difference between a good team and a dangerous one often comes down to timing, chemistry, and goaltending, and this year, several squads are quietly checking all those boxes.
While the spotlight shines on perennial favorites, a few overlooked franchises lurk, waiting for an opportunity.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Quiet Confidence Behind the Flash
It’s hard to call the Toronto Maple Leafs “underrated,” but after years of postseason frustration, they’ve slipped under the radar of most NHL playoff bets. That’s a mistake. Toronto’s roster has matured into a disciplined, balanced unit.
Auston Matthews remains an elite scorer, but it’s the defensive stability under new coaching and the breakout play of young contributors like Matthew Knies that give this team the depth it’s lacked in previous years.
Their goaltending tandem of Anthony Stolarz as the starter and Dennis Hildeby as the backup also shows surprising consistency, giving them the reliability to grind through tight series.
Toronto’s special teams are trending upward, and their five-on-five play is among the league’s most efficient. If they maintain composure and stay healthy, the Maple Leafs have every ingredient to finally shake their postseason stigma.
New York Rangers: Built for Postseason Grit
The New York Rangers thrive when the stakes rise. Built around Igor Shesterkin’s elite goaltending and a battle-tested blue line, the Rangers combine skill with playoff-style toughness. Their ability to switch gears, from a finesse attack to a grinding defensive posture, makes them a nightmare matchup in the NHL playoffs.
Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad headline the offense, but it’s the supporting cast, including Alexis Lafrenière’s evolution into a consistent secondary scorer, that rounds out the lineup. Add in the leadership of veteran players and the physical edge of a solid roster, and the Rangers have the playoff DNA to endure seven-game slugfests.
In a wide-open Eastern Conference, they’re a value pick that blends elite talent with resilience. Their ability to adapt mid-series could make them the dark horse no contender wants to face.
Utah Mammoth: A New Era, A Dangerous Identity
Expansion or relocation teams often face skepticism, but the Utah Mammoth are proving that identity matters as much as experience.
Their roster is young, fast, and fearless, built around pace, physicality, and opportunistic scoring. They thrive on catching more established opponents off guard, a quality that plays perfectly into the chaos of the NHL playoffs. Utah’s home-ice advantage is growing, fueled by an energetic fan base and altitude that wears down visiting teams.
The Mammoth’s aggressive forecheck and strong defensive structure keep them competitive against top-tier opponents. While they may lack playoff pedigree, they make up for it with chemistry and hunger, two intangibles that define every Cinderella run.
If their goaltending holds up, Utah has the potential to shock the hockey world with a breakout postseason, signaling that the league’s newest team is already a legitimate threat.
Finding The Sweet Spot
The NHL playoffs reward teams that find rhythm at the right time, not just those with regular-season accolades.
The Maple Leafs, Rangers, and Mammoth each bring unique strengths, from star power to structure to pure momentum. They may not top preseason odds, but they have the depth, leadership, and determination that have historically fueled deep postseason runs.
For bettors seeking value beyond the obvious choices, these underrated teams offer compelling opportunities and the potential to redefine the playoff picture come spring.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/10/13; subject to change.
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