The NHL`s 2024-25 regular season will conclude on Thursday, April 17th, setting the stage for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs to begin on Saturday, April 19th. The playoff bracket is set, with the Winnipeg Jets securing the league`s top seed with an impressive 116 points. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals, powered by Alex Ovechkin`s record-breaking goal count, claimed the top spot. As the 2025 NHL Playoffs approach, BetMGM has released the Stanley Cup odds for all 16 playoff teams.
SportsLine`s expert handicapper, Jimmie Kaylor, has analyzed the most recent betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM. He has shared his top selections for the Stanley Cup, as well as the Eastern and Western Conference titles, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
In the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, Kaylor successfully predicted Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer and the game`s total goals to be under 5.5. MacKinnon indeed scored first, resulting in a 13-1 payout, and the game concluded with Canada winning 3-2.
Kaylor also recently hit a five-leg same-game parlay in a game between the Avalanche and Red Wings, yielding a payout of almost 7-1.
Kaylor has now examined the latest NHL odds from BetMGM and has revealed his best futures bets for the Stanley Cup and NHL player awards.
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (via BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | +8000 | +15000 |
| St. Louis Blues | +4000 | +4500 |
| New Jersey Devils | +4000 | +1300 |
| Minnesota Wild | +4000 | +4000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +3500 | +4000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +2000 | +2200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1200 | +1600 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 | +2000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1000 | +2200 |
| Washington Capitals | +950 | +10000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +850 | +1200 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +850 | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +800 | +1100 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +775 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +750 | +900 |
| Dallas Stars | +750 | +1000 |
Highest Ticket %:
- Avalanche 10.4%
- Knights 8.3%
- Maple Leafs 8.2%
Highest Handle %:
- Avalanche 11.0%
- Jets 10.6%
- Hurricanes 10.0%
Biggest Liabilities:
- Blues
- Canadiens
- Red Wings
The Stanley Cup odds at BetMGM suggest the Panthers and Hurricanes are the frontrunners in the Eastern Conference. The Western Conference appears more competitive, with the Stars, Avalanche, Oilers, and Knights all considered strong contenders.
It seems unusual that strong teams like the Stars and Avalanche must face each other in the first round, as both are capable of a championship run. It`s predicted that the winner of the Colorado-Dallas series will represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
In the Eastern Conference, the Panthers are seen as the team to overcome.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche +775
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference (via BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | +4000 | +10000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +1600 | +2000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1600 | +625 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +575 | +800 |
| Washington Capitals | +450 | +9000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +400 | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +350 | +525 |
| Florida Panthers | +340 | +500 |
- Favorite: Panthers +340
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Capitals 16.8%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Hurricanes 38.1%
- Biggest Liability: Red Wings
The value for the Hurricanes (+350) and Panthers (+340) might not be ideal. However, Florida is still the predicted winner for the Eastern Conference. A potential dark horse pick is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Best Bet: Panthers (+340)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (via BetMGM)
| Team | Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | Minnesota Wild | +2000 | +1600 |
| St. Louis Blues | St. Louis Blues | +1800 | +2200 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Los Angeles Kings | +950 | +1000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Winnipeg Jets | +525 | +1000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Vegas Golden Knights | +450 | +650 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Edmonton Oilers | +450 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Colorado Avalanche | +450 | +500 |
| Dallas Stars | Dallas Stars | +340 | +500 |
- Favorite: Stars +340
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Avalanche 16.9%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Jets 40.2%
- Biggest Liability: Blues
The Stars and Avalanche are set to clash in the first round, a matchup featuring arguably the two strongest teams in the Western Conference currently. The winner of this series will immediately become a top contender for the 2025 Stanley Cup. Colorado is favored to win this series, with Vegas being a potential surprise contender.
Best Bet: Avalanche (+450)
Sleeper: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (via BetMGM)
| Player | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Aleksander Barkov | +2500 |
| Jake Oettinger | +2500 |
| Leon Draisaitl | +2200 |
| Cale Makar | +2200 |
| Jack Eichel | +2000 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +1500 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +1400 |
| Connor McDavid | +1300 |
Historically, the Conn Smythe Trophy typically goes to the best player from the Stanley Cup-winning team. Last year, McDavid was only the sixth player to win it while not being on the Stanley Cup champion team. This year, it`s anticipated the winner will also be a Stanley Cup champion, and the early prediction is that the champion will emerge from the Stars-Avalanche series.
When Colorado last won the Stanley Cup, Makar received the Conn Smythe. While Nathan MacKinnon at 14-1 is tempting, Makar at 22-1 offers excellent value.
Best Bet: Makar +2200
Most Likely Stanley Cup Final Matchups (via BetMGM)
| Matchup | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Hurricanes vs. Stars | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Stars | +1600 |
BetMGM`s oddsmakers have identified these four teams as the leading contenders in each conference. As mentioned, Colorado is expected to win their first-round series against the Stars and ultimately the Western Conference. The Panthers are also projected to win the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row.
Best bet: Avalanche vs. Panthers (+1600)
Elton Marrow