The 2025 NHL Playoffs are underway, and the Stanley Cup odds have already seen significant shifts after just a couple of days of games. The Colorado Avalanche, led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, impressed with a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1, making them the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs demonstrated their strength in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 6-2 win against the Ottawa Senators in their opening game. As the 2025 NHL Playoffs progress, BetMGM has updated the odds for each of the remaining 16 teams to win the Stanley Cup.
SportsLine expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed the latest betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM. He has shared his top picks for winning the Stanley Cup, as well as the Eastern and Western Conferences, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
In a previous prediction, Kaylor accurately picked Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer and the game to have under 5.5 goals. MacKinnon indeed scored the first goal, resulting in a 13-1 payout, and the game ended 3-2.
Kaylor also recently had a successful five-leg parlay in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game, which paid out at almost 7-1, and another five-leg NHL parlay on the final night of the regular season that hit for nearly 13-1.
After examining the most recent NHL odds from BetMGM, Kaylor has identified his best futures bets for the Stanley Cup and NHL player awards. For comprehensive NHL playoff game picks from experts like Kaylor and a proven computer simulation model, visit SportsLine.
- 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
- 2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
- 2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
- 2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
- Most Likely Stanley Cup Final Matchups (at BetMGM)
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +9000 | +1300 |
| Ottawa Senators | +8000 | +4000 |
| Minnesota Wild | +8000 | +4000 |
| St. Louis Blues | +6600 | +4500 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +6600 | +15000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2200 | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +1800 | +2200 |
| Washington Capitals | +1100 | +10000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +900 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +850 | +900 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +800 | +2200 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +800 | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +750 | +1600 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +600 | +1100 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 | +1000 |
Highest Ticket %:
- Avalanche 10.6%
- Knights 8.7%
- Maple Leafs 8.4%
Highest Handle %:
- Avalanche 11.0%
- Maple Leafs 8.4%
- Golden Knights 7.9%
Biggest Liabilities:
- Blues
- Canadiens
- Red Wings
Matthew Rasp, Senior Trader for BetMGM, noted that the Blues and Canadiens are currently the sportsbook`s biggest liabilities. He mentioned that despite the Panthers and Lightning being among the favorites, public betting is overlooking them, and BetMGM would prefer to see the Stanley Cup remain in Florida. However, the Blues and Canadiens represent their largest potential losses.
Following the initial games of the playoff series, the 2025 Stanley Cup odds have changed significantly. The Stars` odds lengthened considerably, while the Avalanche have become the clear favorites, and the Maple Leafs have surpassed the Panthers in the Eastern Conference.
Colorado remains Kaylor`s pick to win the Stanley Cup, and he is also impressed by Toronto`s performance in Game 1.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche +750 (placed April 17)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs +1200 (place April 17)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +3500 | +625 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +3000 | +10000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +2800 | +2000 |
| Washington Capitals | +500 | +9000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +450 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +400 | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +400 | +500 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +240 | +525 |
- Favorite: Panthers +240
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Capitals 16.5%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Hurricanes 37.6%
- Biggest Liability: Red Wings
Kaylor finds the value for the Hurricanes (+240) and Panthers (+240) to be unappealing. However, he still picks Florida to win the Eastern Conference, with the Toronto Maple Leafs as his sleeper team.
Best Bet: Panthers (+240)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | +3000 | +2200 |
| Minnesota Wild | +3000 | +1600 |
| Dallas Stars | +1100 | +500 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +850 | +1000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +500 | +500 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +375 | +650 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +360 | +1000 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +250 | +500 |
- Favorite: Avalanche +250
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Avalanche 16.9%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Jets 37.9%
- Biggest Liability: Blues
The Stars and Avalanche are facing off in the first round, a matchup considered to be between the two strongest teams in the Western Conference. The winner of this series will instantly become a top contender for the 2025 Stanley Cup. Kaylor predicts Colorado will win the series, noting injuries affecting the Stars. He also sees Vegas as a potential sleeper in the West.
Best Bet: Avalanche (+250)
Sleeper: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (Updated April 21 at BetMGM)
| Player | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | +1700 |
| Cale Makar | +1600 |
| Connor McDavid | +1500 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +1300 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +800 |
Historically, the Conn Smythe Trophy usually goes to the best player on the Stanley Cup-winning team. Last year, Connor McDavid was an exception, winning it despite his team not winning the Cup. This year, Kaylor expects the winner to be a Stanley Cup champion, predicting the eventual champion will emerge from the Stars-Avalanche series.
When Colorado last won the Stanley Cup, Cale Makar received the Conn Smythe Trophy. While Nathan MacKinnon at +800 odds is tempting, Kaylor finds Makar at +1600 to offer better value.
As a sleeper, Valeri Nichushkin is mentioned as having the potential to play a crucial role for Colorado if they advance deep in the playoffs. His odds have decreased from an opening of 300-1 to 150-1.
Best Bet: Makar +1600 (Placed April 17)
Sleeper: Valeri Nichushkin (+15000)
Most Likely Stanley Cup Final Matchups (at BetMGM)
| Matchup | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Hurricanes vs. Stars | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Stars | +1600 |
BetMGM oddsmakers consider these four teams as the leading contenders in their respective conferences. Kaylor anticipates Colorado winning their series against the Stars and ultimately the Western Conference, and he also expects the Panthers to win the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row.
Best bet: Avalanche vs. Panthers (+1600)
