After a thrilling conclusion that saw the Florida Panthers repeat, the 2025-26 Stanley Cup odds suggest they might win another title this year! With a certified dynasty in their sights, can the Panthers be the first team since the 1980s to win three in a row?
Head below to find the latest betting odds, analysis of the top favorites, and Stanley Cup predictions.
Stanley Cup 2025-26 Betting Odds
Here are the latest Stanley Cup winner odds, courtesy of Bovada:
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +750 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +750 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +825 |
| Florida Panthers | +825 |
| Dallas Stars | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +2000 |
| Washington Capitals | +2500 |
With one month of regular session action in the books, the Colorado Avalanche (+650) have asserted themselves as the betting favorites. That said, there is a lot of hockey left, and there isn’t a clear leader. As a +650 favorite, the Avalanche have a 13.3% implied probability at the best NHL betting sites.
Behind the Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes (+750) and Vegas Golden Knights (+750) are tied for the second-best Stanley Cup odds in 2025-26, sharing an 11.8% implied chance. All three teams’ prices have improved since the start of the season, with the Avalanche shifting from +900 to +650 to assume the top spot.
Meanwhile, the defending champs’ odds to win the Stanley Cup have taken a hit. The Florida Panthers (+825) shifted from +600 to +825, or a downgrade of 14.3% to 10.8%. They haven’t been at their best without Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov on the IR.
You can find up-to-date NHL Stanley Cup 2025-26 odds at Bovada by navigating to All Sports > Hockey > Stanley Cup.
NHL Stanley Cup 2025-26 Favorites
The top three teams are attractive options, but are any of them worth considering for your NHL Stanley Cup picks? Let’s delve into all the details for each contender below:
Colorado Avalanche – The Most Stacked Team in the NHL?
- Head Coach: Jared Bednar
- 2024-25 Record: 49-29-4 (Loss First Round)
- Stanley Cup Titles: 3
- Key Players: Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen
After a disappointing first-round exit last season, the Colorado Avalanche have surged to an impressive start in the 2025-26 campaign. Boasting an 11-1-5 record and 23 points, they currently lead the Central Division.
Through 17 games, the Avalanche offense has tallied 68 goals, an average of four per game, the best in the NHL over this stretch. Their attack is relentless, and the scoring contributions aren’t just coming from the forwards.
Two-way defenseman Cale Makar stands out as one of the league’s most impactful offensive players. Makar can score, move the puck efficiently, and create opportunities for his teammates. He arguably ranks among the NHL’s most complete players, not just on defense.
Makar is second on the team with 20 points, just behind Nathan MacKinnon, an early Hart Trophy favorite. MacKinnon has been outstanding, recording 14 goals and 18 assists in 17 games. With Makar as the Norris Trophy frontrunner and MacKinnon contending for the Hart Trophy, the Avalanche are in top form.
Nathan MacKinnon has been otherworldly this season… 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uuWDQJSpbD
— NHL (@NHL) November 12, 2025
The addition of Martin Necas and emergence of Atturi Lehkonen has provided a spark as well. And, while Gabriel Landeskog doesn’t have the same impact he did before the injury, his presence in the locker room and on the ice gives the team a boost.
Besides their electric offense, the Avalanche defense has also been stellar. They rank second in the league, allowing only 2.41 goals per game. Goalie Scott Wedgewood has been excellent as well, with a 2.26 GAA and a .913 save percentage.
Keep your eyes on the Avalanche, as they’re poised to be favorites all season!
Vegas Golden Knights – Is the Cup Heading Back to Sin City?
- Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy
- 2024-25 Record: 50-22-10 (Loss Second Round)
- Stanley Cup Titles: 1
- Key Players: Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Ivan Barbashev, Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev
The Vegas Golden Knights are once again contenders for the Stanley Cup in 2025-26. Since their inaugural 2017-18 season, they’ve rarely fallen out of contention.
After reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their first year and capturing the Cup in 2023, the Golden Knights fell short last season, losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. However, with the NHL wide open this year, Vegas could be poised for another run.
The Golden Knights have played just 15 games so far, fewer than most teams’ 17 or 18. They currently hold a 7-4-4 record and have accumulated 18 points. The offense is led by Jack Eichel and new acquisition Mitch Marner. Since leaving Toronto, Marner has energized Vegas’s lineup.
Mitch Marner with some DISGUSTING hands in close for his 2nd goal of the game 🤢🤮 pic.twitter.com/hS594WyYGZ
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 19, 2025
Eichel leads the Golden Knights with 22 points, while Marner has made an immediate impact with 19 points in his first season. While Marner was a key contributor for nine years in Toronto, he often struggled in the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see how Marner performs in the postseason for Vegas. Leafs fans may not be happy if he finally finds playoff success with the Golden Knights.
Overall, Vegas ranks 15th in goals per game (3.20) and 12th in goals allowed (2.93). The team hasn’t fully hit its stride, so those numbers likely improve. Still, I’d prefer better odds than +750 to bet on them winning the Stanley Cup.
Best 2025-26 Stanley Cup Sleepers
The NHL Stanley Cup betting odds indicate it’s going to be a wide-open season! Despite the same champion in consecutive years, parity dominates the NHL.
With this in mind, I recommend checking out my best longshot Stanley Cup 2025-26 picks:
NHL Stanley Cup 2025-26 Predictions and Betting Pick
It’s shaping up to be another exciting NHL season. With the competition wide open, we can expect a thrilling finish once again. The Panthers have a shot at a three-peat, but with Tkachuk and Barkov sidelined long-term, it will be a significant challenge.
The Avalanche possess everything necessary to contend for the Stanley Cup: elite offensive talent and the ability to win defensive battles. MacKinnon and Necas give Colorado two star centers anchoring the top lines.
Having MacKinnon and Necas together creates a formidable 1-2 punch at center, unmatched by most teams. Alongside them, the Avalanche boast the league’s best defenseman. Even after earning the James Norris Trophy last season, Makar remains ambitious and looks even stronger entering 2024-25.
If Wedgewood continues to deliver in goal, the Avalanche are in a prime position. All things considered, I expected Colorado to have odds closer to +500. As it stands, the Avalanche are the strongest betting pick to win the Stanley Cup at +650!
Where to Bet on the 2025-26 NHL Stanley Cup Odds?
Multiple online bookmakers are offering NHL betting odds for the championship series. With many options, where should you place your NHL Stanley Cup Final picks? For the best experience, which includes superior prices, betting markets, and fast payouts, The Sports Geek recommends registering at Bovada for the NHL.
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