The 2025 NHL Playoffs are now well underway, with the action heating up as we head into the Conference Finals. This stage sees significant shifts in the odds for winning the coveted Stanley Cup. In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars are set to clash with the Edmonton Oilers, while the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference.
The series between the Panthers and Hurricanes is scheduled to kick off with Game 1 on Tuesday, followed by Game 1 of the Oilers vs. Stars series on Wednesday. With only four teams remaining in the playoff race, updated odds for the 2025 Stanley Cup have been released.
Sports analysis expert Jimmie Kaylor has provided a breakdown of the latest trends and future odds, offering his top selections for both the Stanley Cup winner and the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient.
Kaylor has a history of successful predictions, including correctly picking Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer and the Under 5.5 goals in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, resulting in a substantial payout on the MacKinnon pick. He also recently hit a multi-leg parlay in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game and another multi-leg NHL parlay on the final night of the regular season.
Having analyzed the current odds, Kaylor has finalized his top future bets for the championship and individual player awards. Additional NHL playoff game picks from Kaylor and other experts, along with insights from a sophisticated computer simulation model, are available on SportsLine.
Updated 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (as of May 19)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | +300 | +1100 |
| Dallas Stars | +275 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +250 | +900 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +240 | +1000 |
Ticket and Handle Trends
Analysis of betting patterns shows the following teams attracting the most interest:
- Highest Ticket %: Maple Leafs (11.4%), Avalanche (10.4%), Capitals (8.2%)
- Highest Handle %: Maple Leafs (12.8%), Avalanche (11.1%), Golden Knights (8.4%)
- Biggest Liabilities: Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Capitals
From the outset, my projection for the 2025 Stanley Cup champion was the team emerging victorious from the first-round series between the Stars and Avalanche. The Stars advanced from that matchup and then successfully navigated their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets. While Dallas faces the formidable challenge of containing dynamic duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, their roster possesses impressive depth and overall balance. In the Eastern Conference, I initially predicted the Panthers would reach the Stanley Cup Final and stand by that forecast as they prepare for Game 1 of their series.
Best Bet: Dallas Stars +275 (placed May 18)
Updated 2025 NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Odds (as of May 19)
| Player | Current Odds | Opening Odds (1st Round) |
|---|---|---|
| Leon Draisaitl | +1100 | +2200 |
| Sergei Bobrovsky | +800 | +3000 |
| Frederik Andersen | +550 | +10000 |
| Mikko Rantanen | +400 | +3500 |
| Connor McDavid | +350 | +1300 |
Last year, Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy even though his team did not win the Stanley Cup Final. It`s improbable that history will repeat itself in 2025. Therefore, my top pick for this award is the player most likely to earn it from the team I anticipate winning the Stanley Cup. Based on my prediction, that player is Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen.
Best Bet: Mikko Rantanen +400 (Placed May 19)
Sleeper Pick: Sergei Bobrovsky (+800)
Seeking Additional NHL Playoff Predictions?
Expert Matt Severance on SportsLine boasts an impressive record on NHL picks. Visit SportsLine for access to all his NHL selections and analysis.
