NHL Stanley Cup 2025-26 Odds and Predictions: Will the Panthers Three-peat?

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 31-4-7 record and 69 points, they currently lead the Central Division. With only four losses in regulation, the Avalanche have passed every test through the first two months of the season.

Through 42 games, the Avalanche offense has tallied 167 goals, an average of 3.95 per game, the best in the NHL by a considerable mark, with the Lightning in second with 3.45 goals scored. 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 third on the team with 48 points, just behind center Martin Necas, who has tallied 53 points to open the 2025-26 campaign.

Early Hart Trophy favorite, Nathan MacKinnon, has excelled in his role as the top center for the Avs. MacKinnon has been outstanding, recording 35 goals and 39 assists in 42 games to lead the league in points with 74. With Makar as the Norris Trophy frontrunner and MacKinnon contending for the Hart Trophy, the Avalanche are in top form.

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING OT WINNER BY NATHAN MACKINNON 🤮

TOE DRAG TO THE BACKHAND TOP SHELF GWG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3hq1FSURNg

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 6, 2025

The addition of Necas in a trade with the Hurricanes last year, and emergence of Atturi Lehkonen has provided a spark as well.

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. He is starting to feel more comfortable and shake off the rust, so I expect him to play more of a role offensively later in the season.

Besides their electric offense, the Avalanche defense has also been stellar. They rank first in the league on defense, allowing only 2.21 goals per game, for a considerable edge on the Kings, who have given up 2.63 goals per game this season.

Goalie Scott Wedgewood has been excellent as well, with a 2.20 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Mackenzie Blackwood had been playing well, too, but he’s been dealing with injuries finding it difficult to stay on the ice.

Keep your eyes on the Avalanche, as they’re poised to be favorites all season!

Carolina Hurricanes – Was Ehlers the Missing Piece?

• • Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour
  • 2024-25 Record: 47-30-5 (Loss ECF)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 1
  • Key Players: Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov

The Carolina Hurricanes will try to get over the hump after exiting the Eastern Conference Final in five games a season ago. Are they a different team from the last seven years? The Hurricanes have gone to the postseason every year since the 2018-19 campaign. It doesn’t appear that trend is set to be disrupted in 2025-26.

All of their previous playoff attempts over the last six years have ended in disappointment, which includes three unsuccessful trips to the conference finals. It was the same story for the Hurricanes in 2024-25, as the Florida Panthers made easy work of Carolina. What changes this season?

Fortunately, the Hurricanes addressed a huge need on the first line. There was an upgrade available on left wing, and the front office took note. The Hurricanes managed to ink one of the most prized free agents in the offseason.

Former Winnipeg Jet, Nikolaj Ehlers, signed a six-year, $51 million contract to play for the Hurricanes. Ehlers didn’t get off to a hot start offensively but is heating up recently. He has scored 11 goals and 23 assists in 43 games. With a +6 rating, Ehlers is having a solid campaign with his new team.

In the year 2026, Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Andrei Svechnikov have combined for:

8 goals
24 points
+13

In 4 games played. pic.twitter.com/FNA6f2Cjwk

— The Canes Stats Brand™ (@CanesStats) January 7, 2026

It certainly looks like inking Ehlers is going to pay off huge dividends for the ‘Canes, particularly in the playoffs where the added depth and experience will be appreciated.

In 43 games, the Hurricanes are 26-14-3 with 55 points in the Metropolitan Division, leading the New York Islanders by three points. As Ehlers continues to get more comfortable in a new system, the Hurricanes should be in good shape in the second half.

The defense will have to show more before backing them for my Stanley Cup picks, though. Defense is what wins championships, and the Hurricanes have looked soft at times. Currently, they’re allowing three goals per game, for the 13th-best number in the NHL.

Frederik Andersen, who is supposed to be the No. 1 netminder, has been mediocre in the crease, with a 3.43 GAA and 0.867 save percentage in 17 starts. He needs to be stronger, but I have some confidence in Andersen turning a corner.

That being said, his number has continued to fall over the last month, and Brandon Bussi has been the top option. Bussi has been more reliable, posting a 2.29 GAA and 0.906 save percentage in 18 outings. We’ll see if the Hurricanes’ defense can stabilize, but their effort makes me hesitate to make them my top Stanley Cup winner pick.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Will the Bolts Continue to Surge?

• • Head Coach: Jon Cooper
  • 2024-25 Record: 47-27-8 (Loss First Round)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 3
  • Key Players: Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Darren Raddysh, Andrei Vasilevskiy

The Tampa Bay Lightning have surged to the top of the Atlantic Division in January. The three-time Stanley Cup champions are riding an eight-game winning streak, highlighted by a 4-2 victory over the Avalanche.

Jon Cooper’s squad is brimming with confidence right now, but the question remains: can they sustain this form?

It’s been a streaky season for Tampa Bay. The Lightning opened the year with seven wins in their first eight games, then stumbled with four straight losses and seven defeats in their next nine contests before catching fire again on their current run.

Nikita Kucherov and company have been on a roller coaster, but one thing hasn’t changed: the Lightning remain a dangerous team loaded with playoff experience. Tampa Bay captured back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, and many core pieces from those championship rosters are still in place, including Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

The 32-year-old Kucherov has recorded 20 goals and 41 assists, leading the Lightning with 61 points. He’s locked in offensively, with Jake Guentzel sitting second on the team with 44 points in 2025-26. Overall, Tampa Bay ranks second in the league with an average of 3.45 goals per game this season.

⚡️ Kuuuuch ⚡️

Bolts open the scoring! pic.twitter.com/TiLxU7xdgM

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) December 28, 2025

On the back end, the team in front of Vasilevskiy has held up well. The Lightning rank fourth in goals against, allowing just 2.64 per game. Vasilevskiy is having another stellar campaign, posting a 2.34 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

If Tampa Bay heats up at the right time this spring, their experience gives them a legitimate chance to capture another Stanley Cup. And if their Stanley Cup futures odds drift above +800, it could be worth at least a small wager.