The 2025 NHL Playoffs are underway, and the Stanley Cup odds have already seen significant shifts. Following their dominant Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars, the Colorado Avalanche have become the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs impressed in the Eastern Conference with a Game 1 win against the Ottawa Senators. As the playoffs progress, the odds for each of the remaining 16 teams have been updated.
Sports expert Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed the latest betting trends and NHL futures odds, providing his top picks for the Stanley Cup, Eastern and Western Conferences, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Kaylor has a track record of successful predictions. In the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, he correctly predicted Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer and the game total to be under 5.5 goals. Recently, he also hit a five-leg parlay in an Avalanche vs. Red Wings game and another five-leg parlay on the final night of the regular season.
Kaylor has now assessed the updated NHL odds and revealed his best futures bets for the Stanley Cup and NHL awards. Expert picks for every NHL playoff game, including Kaylor`s selections and predictions from a computer simulation model, are available.
Updated 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Odds
(Updated Odds as of April 21)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +9000 | +1300 |
| Ottawa Senators | +8000 | +4000 |
| Minnesota Wild | +8000 | +4000 |
| St. Louis Blues | +6600 | +4500 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +6600 | +15000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2200 | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +1800 | +2200 |
| Washington Capitals | +1100 | +10000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +900 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +850 | +900 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +800 | +2200 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +800 | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +750 | +1600 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +600 | +1100 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 | +1000 |
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
According to Matthew Rasp, a Senior Trader, the Blues and Canadiens are currently considered significant liabilities. He noted that while the Panthers and Lightning are among the favorites, public betting interest is lower, and the sportsbook would prefer a Stanley Cup win for a Florida team.
The Stanley Cup odds have changed significantly after the initial playoff games. The Stars` odds have lengthened considerably, while the Avalanche are now the top favorites, and the Maple Leafs have overtaken the Panthers in the Eastern Conference.
Colorado remains the expert`s pick to win the Stanley Cup, but Toronto`s Game 1 performance was also impressive.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche +750 (placed April 17)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs +1200 (place April 17)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Eastern Conference
(Updated Odds as of April 21)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | +3500 | +625 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +3000 | +10000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +2800 | +2000 |
| Washington Capitals | +500 | +9000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +450 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +400 | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +400 | +500 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +240 | +525 |
- Favorite: Panthers +240
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Capitals 16.5%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Hurricanes 37.6%
- Biggest Liability: Red Wings
While the value for the Hurricanes (+350) and Panthers (+340) might not be ideal, Florida is still the expert`s pick for the Eastern Conference. The Toronto Maple Leafs are considered a sleeper pick.
Best Bet: Panthers (+340)
Sleeper: Maple Leafs (+575)
2025 NHL Playoff Odds to Win the Western Conference
(Updated Odds as of April 21)
| Team | Current Odds | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | +3000 | +2200 |
| Minnesota Wild | +3000 | +1600 |
| Dallas Stars | +1100 | +500 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +850 | +1000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +500 | +500 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +375 | +650 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +360 | +1000 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +250 | +500 |
- Favorite: Avalanche +250
- Highest Ticket Percentage: Avalanche 16.9%
- Highest Handle Percentage: Jets 37.9%
- Biggest Liability: Blues
The first-round matchup between the Stars and Avalanche is considered a clash of two top Western Conference teams. The winner of this series is likely to become the Stanley Cup favorite. Colorado is the expert`s pick to win the series, noting injuries impacting the Stars. The Vegas Golden Knights are highlighted as a potential sleeper.
Best Bet: Avalanche (+380)
Sleeper: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
2025 NHL Odds to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy
(Updated Odds as of April 21)
| Player | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | +1700 |
| Cale Makar | +1600 |
| Connor McDavid | +1500 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +1300 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +800 |
Historically, the Conn Smythe Trophy typically goes to the best player on the Stanley Cup-winning team. While there are exceptions, the expectation is that this year`s winner will also be a champion. The expert predicts that the Stanley Cup champion will emerge from the Stars-Avalanche series.
Cale Makar, a previous Conn Smythe winner with Colorado, is considered a strong value pick at +2200 odds, while Nathan MacKinnon is also enticing at +800. Valeri Nichushkin is mentioned as a sleeper with potential, with his odds shortening from 300-1 to 150-1.
Best Bet: Makar +2200 (Placed April 17)
Sleeper: Valeri Nichushkin (+15000)
Most Likely Stanley Cup Final Matchups
(at BetMGM)
| Matchup | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Hurricanes vs. Stars | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Avalanche | +1600 |
| Panthers vs. Stars | +1600 |
These four teams are identified as the top contenders by oddsmakers. The expert anticipates Colorado winning the Western Conference and the Panthers winning the Eastern Conference for a second consecutive year.
Best bet: Avalanche vs. Panthers (+1600)
