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Ranking the top 5 NHL teams to never win a Stanley Cup

Modified Feb 02, 2023 16:55 GMT

The NHL Stanley Cup is regarded as one of the most difficult Cups to obtain in sports. The 31 teams that compete for the coveted Cup have to battle hard day and night for more than 80 games in the regular season.

The winner's name is inscribed on the coveted trophy and serves as a lasting memory for the franchise and its players. Winning the Cup is a life-changing event for any player in the sport. It is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as long seasons make it hard for teams to return to the finals.

The Montreal Canadiens currently hold the record for most Stanley Cups won, with 24. This article will look at the teams that never won the Stanley Cup.

Five best NHL teams that have never won a Stanley Cup

#5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Colorado Avalanche v Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are among the most well-known teams in the NHL. Legends like Rick Nash and Ryan Johansen have both been stars for the Jackets. Columbus have never won the Stanley Cup finals, and the closest they came to the Cup was in 2018-19. On that occasion, they lost to the Boston Bruins by 2-4 in the second round.

#4. Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators were founded in 1998. Roman Joshi, Pekka Rinne, and Jordin Tootoo have all worn Predators jerseys. Nashville have never won the NHL's coveted trophy, with their most recent failure coming in the 2016-17 finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

#3. Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers, founded in 1993, are one of the finest teams in the NHL. Some of the most well-known players like Aleksander Barkov, Ollie Jokinen, and Pavel Bure have been part of the team. The team, however, is still on its way to winning its first Stanley Cup. Their last appearance in the final came against the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96.

#2. Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres debuted in the NHL in 1970. The Sabres are recognized for producing some ice legends such as magician Gilbert Perreault. The franchise has participated in two Stanley Cup finals, the most recent being in 1998-99 against the Dallas Stars.

Buffalo's ardent fans remain hopeful that their beloved team will win its first Stanley Cup one day.

#1. Vancouver Canucks

Since the team's inception in 1970 (same as the Sabres), the Vancouver Canucks have produced some of the top players in the league, including Markus Naslund and Trevor Linden. The team is also regarded as one of the best in the league.

The only thing separating them from the truly elite is a Stanley Cup triumph. The team has appeared in three Stanley Cup finals, with the most recent setback being against the Boston Bruins in 2011.