The 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally here, so it’s time to take an updated look at the Stanley Cup betting odds.
The biggest questions I’m asking are: Will the Edmonton Oilers turn it up a notch in the playoffs? Can the Colorado Avalanche maintain their regular-season dominance into the postseason? Are the Buffalo Sabres for real?
Let’s try to answer those as we dig into the latest odds and make our 2025-26 Stanley Cup predictions.
NHL Stanley Cup Winner Odds 2026
NHL odds referenced below are current as of Friday, Apr. 17, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Here is a full list of the 16 playoff teams, with their odds to win the Stanley Cup:
- Colorado Avalanche (+300)
- Carolina Hurricanes (+475)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (+500)
- Las Vegas Golden Knights (+1000)
- Dallas Stars (+1000)
- Ottawa Senators (+1300)
- Edmonton Oilers (+1300)
- Buffalo Sabres (+1400)
- Minnesota Wild (+1800)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (+2500)
- Utah Mammoth (+3500)
- Montreal Canadiens (+3500)
- Boston Bruins (+5500)
- Los Angeles Kings (+6000)
- Philadelphia Flyers (+7000)
- Anaheim Ducks (+8000)
It’s no surprise to see the Colorado Avalanche remain as heavy favorites. They’ve been the best team all year lon, led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
But we can’t count out the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have a championship pedigree. The Carolina Hurricanes are always lingering, while the Las Vegas Golden Knights have taken off since replacing head coach Bruce Cassidy with John Tortorella.
Even with these teams at the top, the race for the Stanley Cup is as wide-open as ever, so there are always opportunities to find value in your NHL futures bets. With that in mind, let’s break it all down for you.
Who Will Win the Stanley Cup 2026?
Buffalo Sabres (+1400)
The Sabres went on a remarkable run to win the Atlantic Division, going 39-9-5 in their last 49 games.
It’s a deep group filled with depth across the roster. Up front, the Sabres have five forwards with 50+ points and another two with 40+ points, highlighted by Tage Thompson, a 40-goal scorer. The blueline features one of the best defenseman in the game in Rasmus Dahlin, joined by Bowen Byram, Mattis Samuelsson, and Owen Power.
While the goaltending is a question mark, I think that the tandem of Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen can get the job done with this stellar defense in front of them.
But to put it simply, you don’t win 39 of your last 53 games by accident. This team is legit. I’m riding with the Sabres to win the Stanley Cup in my NHL best bets today.
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Stanley Cup Favorites 2026
Colorado Avalanche (+350)
The Avalanche are having one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, but we all know how Presidents’ Trophy winners often fall short in the playoffs.
That doesn’t mean that Colorado won’t get it done, but it’s still worth pointing out.
I’m not a fan of the +300 price, especially since the Avalanche will have to face the winner of the Stars vs Wild series. Each of those teams is one of the best in the league, so there’s a legit chance that Colorado can face an early exit. I just can’t take that risk at +350 odds.
Carolina Hurricanes (+475)
The Hurricanes remain analytic darlings as they are every year, ranking at the top in advanced metrics, including Shot Attempt%. Bringing in Nikolaj Ehlers just adds depth to this strong forward group, supplementing the deep blueline quite nicely.
I originally liked the Canes to win the Cup in my last update, but with them having to face an underrated Senators team, there’s a legit chance that they’re ousted in the first round.
I recommend avoiding this group altogether (including the Lightning), since the prices are simply way too steep.
Stanley Cup Contenders 2026
Las Vegas Golden Knights (+1000)
The Golden Knights underachieved all year long despite bringing in Mitch Marner to join Jack Eichel. However, things have turned for the better in the last couple of weeks.
After firing Bruce Cassidy and replacing him with John Tortorella, Vegas has gone 7-0-1 in its last eight games.
This team is rounding into form at the perfect time, so there’s a legit chance that they can go on a run.
Dallas Stars (+1000)
The Stars got off to a fantastic start, but they’ve slowed down. At one point, they weren’t too far behind the Avalanche in the Central Division.
With that said, this is still an impressive roster from top to bottom. You have an extremely well-rounded group with Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Miko Rantanen up front, joined by Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley at the back, anchored by Jake Oettinger in net.
Dallas checks off every box you’re looking for with a Stanley Cup contender. They’re my pick to represent the Western Conference.
Edmonton Oilers (+1300)
The Oilers got off to a slow start, but they played better down the stretch. With generational superstar Connor McDavid, the Oilers are always a threat to get it done. After all, they’ve made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons.
However, as is the case every year, I don’t trust their goaltending, even with Connor Ingram playing well late in the year.
This feels like a season where Edmonton doesn’t come out of the Western Conference. Even though the price is appealing at +1300, I don’t see them getting past Vegas, Colorado, or Dallas.
Stanley Cup Sleepers 2026
Ottawa Senators (+1300)
The Senators are dangerous. They’re much better than their record suggests. This team finished 3rd in Expected Goal Differential at even strength.
There are some good forwards on this team, including Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, and Dylan Cozens. The defense is anchored by Jake Sanderson. They just need Linus Ullmark to find his form.
I’m betting that the Sens upset the Canes and go all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, ultimately falling short against the Sabres.
Minnesota Wild (+1800)
The Wild are a dangerous team after trading for an elite defenseman in Quinn Hughes. The question is, will they have enough depth, or is this team too top-heavy?
The other issue is that they’ll have to go through both the Stars and the Avalanche if they’re to get to the Stanley Cup Final.
I’m taking the Stars to knock out the Wild in the first round due to their postseason experience.
