As the 2025 NHL Playoffs reach the Conference Finals, the odds for winning the Stanley Cup have shifted significantly. The Western Conference Final features a matchup between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers, while the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. With the playoffs narrowed down to four contenders, the oddsmakers at BetMGM have released their updated 2025 Stanley Cup odds.
Sports analysis expert Jimmie Kaylor has thoroughly examined the latest betting trends and NHL futures odds from BetMGM and identified his top picks for both the Stanley Cup winner and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Kaylor boasts a strong track record of successful predictions. For example, in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, he correctly predicted the first goal scorer (Nathan MacKinnon, resulting in a 13-1 payout) and that the game would finish under 5.5 goals (final score 3-2). More recently, Kaylor successfully hit a five-leg same-game parlay in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game for nearly a 7-1 payout, and on the final night of the regular season, he provided a five-leg NHL parlay that paid out at almost 13-1.
Having evaluated the updated NHL odds from BetMGM, Kaylor has finalized his key futures bets for the Stanley Cup and individual player awards.
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds (Updated May 19 at BetMGM)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | +300 | +1100 |
| Dallas Stars | +275 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +250 | +900 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +240 | +1000 |
Betting Insights:
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 beginning of the playoffs, the expert`s predicted Stanley Cup winner was the team that would emerge victorious from the first-round series between the Stars and Avalanche. The Dallas Stars ultimately won that series and then confidently defeated the Winnipeg Jets in the second round. While Dallas will face a significant challenge containing the Oilers` star duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Stars possess impressive depth and team balance. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers were initially projected to reach the Stanley Cup Final, and this prediction remains unchanged heading into their series opener.
Best Bet: Dallas Stars +275 (Placed May 18)
2025 NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Odds (Updated May 19 at BetMGM)
| 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 received the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team losing in the Stanley Cup Final. It is unlikely that history will repeat itself in 2025. Therefore, the best bet for this award is the player most likely to win it from the team predicted to win the Stanley Cup. Based on the expert`s pick for the Cup winner, that player is Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen.
Best Bet: Mikko Rantanen +400 (Placed May 19)
Sleeper Pick: Sergei Bobrovsky (+800)
