2025 NHL Stanley Cup Predictions and Futures Odds

by Ryan Cobbett - 12/26/2024

NHL Stanley Cup odds and predictions Martin Necas Carolina Hurricanes

In the midst of the dead period, there is no better time than now to take a look at who the favorites are to win the Stanley Cup this summer. Three of the top five teams are from the Eastern Conference, while the two Western Conference teams’ make-up the Western Conference Finals matchup from a year ago. The Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers are tied with the best odds to win the Cup, but neither team is in first place in their division at the moment. The Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights are right outside the Top Five, while the current points leader in the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets, currently carry the eighth best odds to win the Stanley Cup at +1600. Now that we have discussed who is outside the Top Five, let’s take a deep dive into the teams with the best odds and why they will win the Stanley Cup this season.

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Carolina Hurricanes, +750: 21-12-1 (43 Points); 3rd in Metro Division

Thanks to a strong start to the campaign, the Hurricanes find themselves tied with the Oilers for the best odds to win the Stanley Cup this season. They started the season going 14-4, which has put them in a solid position at this point in the season. Unfortunately, their momentum has slowed a bit as they have gone just 7-8-1 since then. Their offense has struggled over the last two weeks, as they have averaged just 2.7 GF/G. However, Carolina ranks fifth in the league in scoring as they average 3.47 GF/G. They also have one of the league’s best special team units. The Hurricanes cash in on 26.2% of their power play chances, which is fifth best in the league, while their penalty kill is second best in the NHL as they kill off 85.5% of their opponent’s man advantage opportunities. Martin Necas has stepped up big time for Carolina, as he is leading the team in points (44), assists (30), and he is tied for the team lead with 14 goals. Their goaltending ranks eighth in the league in GA/G (2.79) in large part thanks to Pyotr Kochetkov, who has posted a 14-6 record and is allowing just 2.43 GA/G. Carolina might be the most balanced team on paper this season. And if Necas can keep bringing the star power, the Hurricanes are going to dethrone the Florida Panthers.

Edmonton Oilers, +750: 21-11-2 (44 Points); 2nd in Pacific Division

Edmonton started slow but is now one of the hottest teams in the NHL and are well positioned to give us an entertaining Pacific Division race between themselves and Vegas. After starting the season 6-7-1, the Oilers have rebounded nicely and have gone 15-4-1 since. They have won 11 of their last 13 games and have a +25-goal differential across that span. Their goaltending deserves some praise for their performance, which has elevated the Oilers this season, as their offense is actually down a bit this season. The Oilers goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard rank eighth in the NHL in GA/G. Leon Draisaitl is also dominating this season and is the league leader in goals with 24 and is second in the league in points with 52. Connor McDavid is right behind him with 49 points this season. Their PP% is just 21.6%, which is down 5% from last season, and their PK% is just 74.7%, which ranks 26th in the league. Depth has been another key issue for the Oilers, as McDavid and Draisaitl alone account for over 35% of the goals from this Oilers squad. Edmonton has a chip on their shoulder after falling just short last season, but they need to step it up in the second half of the year.

Dallas Stars, +1000: 20-13 (40 Points); 3rd in Central Division

Up next are the Dallas Stars, who have quietly had one of the most disappointing and underwhelming starts to the season. They are still firmly in the playoff picture. However, after being a heavy Stanley Cup favorite, the Stars find themselves in fourth place in the Central Division. Part of this is due to the emergence of the Minnesota Wild, but the Stars have also been bad on the road and their offense is inconsistent. Matt Duchene leads the team in points (30), with Roope Hintz leading the Stars in goals (15). Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, and Miro Heiskanen have been underwhelming this season, with the trio combining for a mere 58 points and 17 goals. Thanks to Jake Oettinger, their goaltending is one of the best in the league, ranking fourth in GA/G, and their PK% is also amongst the league’s best. However, their 15.9% PP% ranks 26th in the NHL and their 3.15 GF/G ranks outside the Top 10 in the league. They will miss Tyler Seguin, but they should replace him with another offensive depth piece by the deadline and their stars should wake up. If they do, this Stars team is deep, and they have the playoff experience. Despite their slow start, the Dallas Stars are my favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Florida Panthers, +1000: 22-12-2 (46 Points); 1st in Atlantic Division

The defending Stanley Cup Champions come in at number four on the list with +1000 odds to keep Stanley in South Florida. Florida is atop the Atlantic Division standings with 46 points, which is the third highest total in the Eastern Conference. They have continued to dominate on the road, which sets them apart from a lot of the contenders. They have 25 points on the road, which is the third most in the NHL and the most amongst Eastern Conference teams. Florida has quieted those you doubted their depth, and their top guys like Sam Reinhart (45 points) and Matthew Tkachuk (35 points) have been leading the way offensively. They do miss Anthony Stolarz providing elite minutes as the backup goaltender, but Sergei Bobrovsky has had a solid season, allowing just 2.80 GA/G. The Boston Bruins are having a down year, and Toronto just doesn’t seem to be healthy, which should aid the Panthers in claiming the division crown and keep them in a favorable position to make a deep run in the playoffs once again. However, that is asking a lot of the 36-year-old Bobrovsky, and I think the Panthers will come up short this season.

New Jersey Devils, +1100: 23-11-3 (49 Points); 1st in Metro Division

To round out the Top Five, we have the New Jersey Devils. The Devils lead the Eastern Conference with 49 points and trail the league leading Jets by just two points. They have, however, played the most games this season (37). Their +33-goal differential is the second-best mark in the conference and the third best mark in the NHL. The Devils offense has been lighting it up this season, as they are averaging 3.35 GF/G which is the seventh best mark in the league. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt are tied for the team lead with 45 points, which also puts both forwards inside the Top 10 in the league in scoring. The Devils have five skaters with 13 or more goals, and Nico Hischier leads the team with 17. The Devils also have one of the best special teams play in the league, as their 31.2% PP% ranks second in the league and their 82.5% PK% ranks seventh. What has put the Devils atop the Eastern Conference standings has been the offseason addition of Jacob Markstrom. The Devils lead the league in GA/G (2.46), and Markstrom ranks second in the league in the same category, allowing just 2.12 GA/G over his 26 appearances this season. His .912 SV% is also a Top 10 mark, and his backup, Jake Allen, has been solid as well, allowing just 2.79 GA/G over his 11 appearances. New Jersey hasn’t given you a reason to think they are unworthy of the Stanley Cup.

Dark Horse Honorable Mentions:

Washington Capitals, +2100: 23-9-2 (48 Points); 2nd in Atlantic Division

Los Angeles Kings, +2400: 19-10-5 (43 Points); 3rd in Pacific Division

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2025 NHL Stanley Cup Predictions and Futures Odds

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