2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Best Futures, Predictions to Win NBA Eastern, Western Conference Finals
Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals had a record-breaking year, but how will they fare in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Matt MacKay is breaking down the complete Eastern and Western Conference futures and odds for the NHL postseason. See who's trending in the right and wrong direction ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Matt MacKay
| 6 min
2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Best Futures, Predictions to Win NBA Eastern, Western Conference Finals
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs will drop puck on Saturday, so it's a great opportunity to dive into the current NHL futures markets. Five of eight teams in the Western Conference have odds between +400 to +550 to win the West. In the East, four teams range between +370 to +525 to win the Eastern Conference.
In this betting preview, NHL handicapper Matt MacKay will assess several playoff teams in each conference and weigh their chances of advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Follow Matt's X account for further NHL betting insight and free picks throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Odds
FLORIDA PANTHERS (+370) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Florida Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champions, earning their franchise its first Stanley Cup Trophy in a dramatic Game 7 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers didn't light the lamp at an absurd clip during the regular season, averaging 3.00 goals per game but they did hold opponents to 2.72 goals per game, seventh-best in the NHL.
Matthew Tkachuk remains on IR, plus Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, and a couple other key players are sidelined with injuries. It helps having Sergei Bobrovsky in the crease during the playoffs but I don't want to bet on Florida at a price this short with key injuries throughout their lineup.
CAROLINA HURRICANES (+400) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Carolina is another team I'm very bearish on heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Hurricanes played poorly on the road all season but were among the best teams on home ice. They'll face the New Jersey Devils in the 1st Round and benefit from home ice advantage, plus star Jack Hughes being unavailable due to injury.
I can't see Carolina continuing to surge past the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They'll likely face Washington, who has more than enough talent to derail the Hurricanes. Oddsmakers have Carolina priced at +400 but it should be +600 by my estimation. I'm fading Carolina until further notice.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (+500) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The first team I really like to win the Eastern Conference is the Washington Capitals. The Capitals are available at +500 and carry a ton of momentum into the Stanley Cup Playoffs based on how they played during the regular season.
Of course, Alexander Ovechkin's career-defining season, bypassing Wayne Gretzky for the most career goals scored in the NHL, will keep this team energized. Washington also has Logan Thompson in the net, who was one of the best goaltenders in the league this year.
Averaging 3.49 goals per game, behind only Tampa Bay, the Capitals' balanced roster can score and defend very well. Let's bet a unit on Washington to win the Eastern Conference at +500.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (+525) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Tampa Bay led the league in goals per game this season, averaging 3.56 thanks to their potent offense comprised of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel. Andrei Vasilevskiy is a phenomenal goaltender who knows how to turn it on in the playoffs to get his team in position to win the Stanley Cup.
With an experienced core, including head coach Jon Cooper, the Lightning draw a 1st Round matchup against the Florida Panthers. It's going to be tough to beat the defending champions but the Lightning are healthier and have a goaltender just as talented as Bobrovsky.
I can see Tampa Bay beating the winner of Toronto vs. Ottawa, then potentially beating Washington in the Eastern Conference Finals. Let's bet one more unit on the Lightning to win the East at +525 odds.
Can Alexander Ovechkin and the Caps Make a Destiny Run to the Final? Check the Complete Stanley Cup Odds here
NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Odds
COLORADO AVALANCHE (+400) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Colorado has become the new betting favorite to win the Western Conference following Dallas' late collapse during the end of the regular season. Led by Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL in assists with 84, the Avalanche draw a 1st Round matchup against the Dallas Stars.
Colorado ranks fifth in goals scored per game at 3.33, while surrendering 2.82 goals per game, both top-ten marks. Cale Makar is world-class on defense and the addition of Martin Necas has helped the Avalanche offense stay hot.
Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have been solid in the net. At +400, I'm willing to bet the favorite in a loaded Western Conference at this price.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+500) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Vegas cannot be slept on. They won the Stanley Cup in 2023 and have a lot of that roster still intact heading into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Golden Knights rank third in fewest goals allowed per game at 2.61 with their smothering defense. Vegas also has Jack Eichel centering its top attack line, which helps their offense a great deal. The offense ranks fourth for goals scored per game this season (3.34) and it should carry over into their 1st Round series against Minnesota.
Vegas' path to win the West will likely go through the winner of Oilers vs. Kings, then either Winnipeg or Colorado. They are used to playoff hockey and have plenty of studs to lean on in tight games, so I'll recommend betting another unit on the Golden Knights to win the West at 5-1 odds.
WINNIPEG JETS (+500) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Winnipeg won the President's Trophy for most points during the regular season. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played MVP-level hockey in between the pipes for the Jets, which is why they occupy the 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Winnipeg's offense is very good, scoring 3.35 goals per game, third-best in the NHL. Thanks to Hellebuyck, the Jets were the best team in goals allowed per game at 2.32.
They'll draw a tough 1st Round matchup against a red-hot St. Louis Blues offense. The Blues also have goaltender Jordan Binnington starting, who helped them win the Stanley Cup several years ago.
Oddsmakers setting the Jets' line to +500 feels a bit fishy, so I'm going to hold on Winnipeg until I see how they perform in the 1st Round against the Blues.
EDMONTON OILERS (+500) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Edmonton has been dealing with injuries to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl down the stretch, making it tough to get a strong read on this team. Last year's Oilers were elite but it feels like the team lost a couple of pieces during the offseason that took them down a peg.
Goaltending remains an issue for Edmonton as well. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have struggled more often than dominated this season. Draisaitl put on a goal-scoring clinic, leading the league with goals, so they'll have a chance to beat Los Angeles. However, the Kings were arguably the best team at home this year and they benefit from home ice advantage in this 1st Round matchup.
I don't like this version of the Oilers enough to back them at +500. Maybe I'm wrong and they'll dominate Los Angeles but I feel like Edmonton could be destined for an early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025.
DALLAS STARS (+550) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Dallas is one of the most confusing teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in either conference. The Stars are loaded with talented goal scorers and Jake Oettinger has elevated his play in the net. Yet Dallas carries a huge losing slump into their 1st Round matchup against Colorado.
The Stars still have home ice advantage, which could make a big difference. Miro Heiskanen's placement on IR leaves Dallas without its best defenseman. Jason Robertson is also day-to-day with an injury.
I don't like the vibe of this team right now, especially against an offense like Colorado. I'll fade the Stars at +550 until they prove their ability to turn it around, even if that reduces the price from +550 to +300 by advancing to the Semifinals.
LOS ANGELES KINGS (+950) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I couldn't leave the Los Angeles Kings off of my list at +950. The Kings are too talented, especially defensively, holding teams to 2.48 goals per game, second-best in the NHL.
Darcy Kuemper has been a stud in the net for Los Angeles. Factor in Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield on offense and this team is a dark horse contender to win the West.
Let's wrap up by sprinkling half a unit on the Kings to win the West at +950 odds.
NHL ODDS
