The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, with first-round matchups set to get underway on Monday, May 2. The Florida Panthers finished the regular season with the best record in the NHL, racking up 122 points throughout the season, and are widely expected to make a deep run in the playoffs. Here's why we think the Panthers can win it all.

The Panthers are coming off a sensational season, having scored a league-best 340 goals this season. The Panthers' +94 goal differential was second to none across the NHL, showcasing their ability to get the job done at both ends of the ice. Florida is in line for a first-round matchup against the Washington Capitals, who ended the year with 100 points, but may ultimately lack the depth to get past the Panthers in the opening round.

Florida's path to the Stanley Cup isn't easy, by any means. While the Caps may not be the most dangerous opponent, their next-round opponent would be the winner of the series between the reigning two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Auston Matthews-led Toronto Maple Leafs, both of whom could be serious threats to win it all in their own rights. Still, the Panthers were the top dogs of the regular season for a reason.

With all that in mind, here are three reasons the Florida Panthers will win the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup.

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3. Quality Goaltending

Sergei Bobrovsky is a former Vecina winner and an experienced NHL veteran. He may no longer be one of the top goalies in the league, but with the quality of players in front of him, the Panthers don't need him to be. Bobrovsky is more than capable of keeping Florida in games, while not having to record absurd save percentages in order to do so. On the year, the 33-year-old has a .913 save percentage and is allowing an average of 2.67 goals per game. Those aren't world-beating numbers, but they're more than serviceable and have been sustainable towards the Panthers being the regular-season champions.

Behind Bobrovsky, Spencer Knight has proven to be a solid, if not spectacular, backup. His .908 save percentage and 2.79 goals allowed average are certainly serviceable numbers should he be needed in Bobrovsky's stead.

2. The Numbers Don't Lie

Not only did Florida lead the NHL with its 122 regular-season points, but their goal differential of +94 was far and away the league's top mark. Well, those statistics didn't occur by accident. Florida is the real deal on both ends of the ice and will be a tough matchup for anyone in the postseason.

We'll talk about the offense later, but their defense has been sensational, too. Spearheaded by the likes of Ekblad and Weegar, the acquisition of Ben Chiarot has been huge for the Panthers, and Radko Gudas continues to serve as a one-man wrecking crew whenever the team needs.

Yes, the offense is the clear selling point of this team, but that has led to their defense being overrated, especially amid Ekblad's injury. When back at full strength, teams should find it even more difficult to get goals past the Panthers.

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1. Panthers Are Insanely Stacked Offensively

Florida is stacked on offense, and the numbers don't lie. The Panthers have arguably best playmaker in hockey in Jonathan Huberdeau, who finished the season with 115 points off of 30 goals and a league-high 85 assists. Additionally, Florida had four players score 30+ goals this season, with Sasha Barkov (39), Sam Reinhart (33), Anthony Duclair (31) and Huberdeau (30) all reaching the milestone. Sam Bennett (28) and Carter Verhaeghe (24) also enjoyed excellent seasons in front of net, showcasing the immense depth of the Panthers.

That also doesn't even begin to encompass the marquee addition of Claude Giroux at the trade deadline, who has provided 23 points in 18 games since joining the team. Defenders Aaron Ekblad (who could return from injury for the first round) and Mackenzie Weegar also contribute to the offense tremendously, with 57 and 44 points, respectively. This is a team capable of inflicting damage from all levels, at any moment, and their opponents will have to respect that for every second of the game.