The 2025 NHL regular season concludes on April 17th, followed by the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting on April 19th. The Winnipeg Jets secured the top seed with 116 points, while the Washington Capitals, under Alex Ovechkin, lead the Eastern Conference. BetMGM has released the Stanley Cup odds for all 16 playoff teams.
SportsLine expert Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM to provide his top picks for the Stanley Cup, Conference titles, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Kaylor`s previous successful predictions include Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final and a five-leg parlay win in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game.
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
BetMGM`s Stanley Cup odds suggest the Panthers and Hurricanes are Eastern Conference favorites, while the Western Conference is more open with the Stars, Avalanche, Oilers, and Knights as contenders.
Kaylor believes the Colorado-Dallas series winner is likely to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
In the Eastern Conference, the Panthers are seen as the team to beat.
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
Kaylor prefers Florida in the East but suggests the Toronto Maple Leafs as a sleeper pick.
Best Bet: Panthers (+340)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (via BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | +2000 | +1600 |
| St. Louis Blues | +1800 | +2200 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +950 | +1000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +525 | +1000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +450 | +650 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +450 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +450 | +500 |
| 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 for a first-round matchup, with the winner becoming a Stanley Cup favorite. Kaylor favors Colorado, with Vegas as a potential sleeper.
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 usually goes to a player from the Stanley Cup-winning team. Kaylor predicts this year`s winner will also be a Stanley Cup champion, likely from the Stars-Avalanche series.
Cale Makar, at +2200, is Kaylor`s best bet for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
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 odds suggest these four teams are the top contenders. Kaylor expects a Panthers vs. Avalanche Stanley Cup Final.
Best bet: Avalanche vs. Panthers (+1600)
