The 2024-25 NHL regular season concludes on April 17th, setting the stage for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs starting on April 19th. The Winnipeg Jets secured the top seed with 116 points, while Alex Ovechkin`s Washington Capitals lead the Eastern Conference. With the playoffs approaching, BetMGM has released the Stanley Cup odds for all 16 participating teams.
SportsLine expert Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM to provide his top picks for the Stanley Cup, Eastern and Western Conferences, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Kaylor`s past predictions include Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final (13-1 payout) and a five-leg same-game parlay in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game (almost 7-1 payout).
Kaylor has examined the latest NHL odds from BetMGM and revealed his best futures bets for the Stanley Cup and NHL player awards.
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (at BetMGM)
| 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 leading teams in the Eastern Conference, while the Western Conference is considered more competitive with the Stars, Avalanche, Oilers, and Knights as strong contenders.
It seems unusual that strong teams like the Stars and Avalanche are facing each other in the first round. The Colorado-Dallas series winner is predicted 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 (at BetMGM)
| 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, but Florida remains the Eastern Conference pick. The Toronto Maple Leafs are considered a sleeper.
Best Bet: Panthers (+340)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference (at BetMGM)
| 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 first-round matchup is highlighted as featuring two of the strongest Western Conference teams. The winner of this series is expected to become the Stanley Cup favorite. Colorado is favored in this series, with Vegas as a potential sleeper.
Best Bet: Avalanche (+450)
Sleeper: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy (at BetMGM)
| 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 is typically awarded to the best player from the Stanley Cup-winning team. While McDavid recently became an exception, the prediction leans towards the Smythe winner being a Stanley Cup champion this year, likely from the Stars-Avalanche series winner.
When Colorado last won the Stanley Cup, Makar received the Conn Smythe. While MacKinnon at 14-1 is appealing, Makar at 22-1 offers significant value.
Best Bet: Makar +2200
Most Likely Stanley Cup Final Matchups (at BetMGM)
| Current Odds | |
| Hurricanes vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Hurricanes vs. Stars | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Stars | +1600 |
BetMGM oddsmakers identify these four teams as the top contenders. Colorado is expected to win against the Stars and the Western Conference, while the Panthers are favored to win the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive year.
Best bet: Avalanche vs. Panthers (+1600)
Looking for more NHL Playoff picks? SportsLine expert Matt Severance is on a 119-62 roll (+2440) on NHL picks. Visit SportsLine now to get all of his NHL picks.
