As the 2025 NHL Playoffs are underway, the odds for winning the Stanley Cup have seen significant changes. For instance, the Colorado Avalanche, after taking a 1-0 lead in their first-round series, have since lost two consecutive games to the Dallas Stars, despite the return of captain Gabe Landeskog. Their odds to win the Stanley Cup shifted dramatically from +500 favorites after Game 1 to +1050 contenders after Game 3.
Following the first two games of each playoff series, updated Stanley Cup odds are available for the 16 teams still competing at BetMGM.
SportsLine expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed the current betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM to provide his top predictions for the Stanley Cup, Eastern and Western Conference titles, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Kaylor has a track record of successful NHL predictions. For example, he correctly predicted Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer (13-1 payout) and an under 5.5 goal total in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, which finished 3-2 for Canada. More recently, Kaylor hit a nearly 7-1 payout on a five-leg same-game parlay for an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game and a nearly 13-1 payout on a five-leg NHL parlay on the final night of the regular season.
Based on the latest NHL odds from BetMGM, Kaylor has identified his top futures bets for the Stanley Cup and individual player awards.
- 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
- Betting Insights:
- 2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
- Eastern Conference Insights:
- 2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
- Western Conference Insights:
- 2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +15000 | +1300 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +15000 | +15000 |
| St. Louis Blues | +10000 | +4500 |
| Ottawa Senators | +10000 | +4000 |
| Minnesota Wild | +4000 | +4000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2500 | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +2000 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +1050 | +1000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +950 | +1200 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +900 | +2200 |
| Washington Capitals | +850 | +10000 |
| Dallas Stars | +850 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +750 | +1600 |
| Florida Panthers | +750 | +900 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +700 | +2200 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +500 | +1100 |
Betting Insights:
- 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, a Senior Trader at BetMGM, noted that longshots like the Blues and Canadiens represent the sportsbook`s biggest liabilities. Rasp stated, “The Panthers and Lightning are among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup but the public is ignoring them. BetMGM really wants the Stanley Cup to stay in Florida. The Blues and Canadiens are our biggest liabilities to win it all.”
After the first two games of each playoff series, the 2025 Stanley Cup odds have significantly shifted. The Stars, originally +2200 longshots, are now top contenders at +850. The Carolina Hurricanes have shown dominance and are currently favored to win the championship.
Despite their recent struggles, Colorado remains my pick to win the Stanley Cup. However, I continue to be impressed by Toronto.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche +750 (placed April 17)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs +1200 (placed April 17)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +8000 | +625 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +8000 | +10000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +5000 | +2000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +800 | +1000 |
| Washington Capitals | +425 | +9000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +350 | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +340 | +500 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +200 | +525 |
Eastern Conference Insights:
- Favorite: Hurricanes +200
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Capitals 16.5%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Hurricanes 37.6%
- Biggest Liability: Red Wings
I don`t love the value here for the Hurricanes (+350) nor the Panthers (+340). Nonetheless, Florida is my pick in the Eastern Conference. My sleeper pick here would be the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Best Bet: Panthers (+340)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | +5000 | +2200 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1500 | +1600 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1400 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +550 | +500 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +450 | +650 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +400 | +1000 |
| Dallas Stars | +400 | +500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +310 | +1000 |
Western Conference Insights:
- Favorite: Jets +310
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Avalanche 16.9%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Jets 37.9%
- Biggest Liability: Blues
The first-round series between the Stars and Avalanche features two of the Western Conference`s strongest teams. The winner is likely to become the favorite for the 2025 Stanley Cup. I favor Colorado in this series, especially with the Stars dealing with significant injuries. The Vegas Golden Knights appear to be a potential sleeper pick.
Best Bet: Avalanche (+380)
Sleeper: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (Updated 4/24 at BetMGM)
| Player | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Matthew Tkachuk | +2000 |
| Alex Ovechkin | +2000 |
| Sebastian Aho | +1600 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +1600 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +1000 |
Historically, the Conn Smythe Trophy often goes to the top performer on the Stanley Cup-winning team. While last year`s winner, McDavid, was an exception, I expect this year`s winner to be from the championship team, likely the winner of the Stars-Avalanche series.
When Colorado last won the Stanley Cup, Makar received the Conn Smythe. Nathan MacKinnon at 16-1 odds is tempting, but the value on Makar at 30-1 is difficult to ignore.
For a potential sleeper candidate for the Conn Smythe, Valeri Nichushkin could play a key role for Colorado if they advance far. His odds opened at 300-1 but have shortened to 150-1.
Best Bet: Makar +3000 (Placed April 24)
Sleeper: Valeri Nichushkin (+15000)
