Stanley Cup Betting Futures: Panthers, Stars, Avs Among Favorites With Playoffs Nearing

It’s almost that time of the year for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Postseason hockey is absolutely electric every single season and with so many quality teams looking to battle it out for the ultimate prize, it should be a thrilling next few months. The playoffs begin in just about a month, which means it’s a perfect time to look at the latest Stanley Cup betting futures. Below, we’ll discuss a handful of contenders and provide the best bets.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

2024-25 Stanley Cup Betting Futures

As you can see, there’s not a big gap between the top four contenders at the moment. The Panthers sit at +575, while the Stars aren’t far behind them at +600. Both teams made huge moves at the trade deadline, as we’ll discuss below. The Avalanche and Oilers both have +750 Stanley Cup odds, while the Washington Capitals (+1000) and even the Winnipeg Jets (+1100) are dark horses.

Florida Panthers (+575)

The defending champs haven’t missed a beat this season. They’re at the top of the heavily competitive Atlantic Division with an impressive 43-25-3 record and continue to win games, even without Matthew Tkachuk, who is expected to be out until the playoffs.

But, the Panthers got even better at the trade deadline, bringing in an established defenseman in Seth Jones while also swinging a shocking deal for Brad Marchand. He’ll join a line alongside Tkachuk and Sam Bennett in the postseason. Aaron Ekblad was recently suspended for 20 games, but he should also be back by the playoffs. The Cats are uber talented from top to bottom and could certainly repeat. They’re a frontrunner in the Cup futures at most NHL sportsbooks.

Dallas Stars (+600)

The Stars mean business. After all, they’ve lost in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. Dallas needs to get over the hump and they did their absolute best to bring in a missing piece at the deadline, trading for Mikko Rantanen after his very short stint in Carolina. Rantanen is one of the most electric offensive players in the league and has already tallied five points in eight games with his new squad.

Dallas is in second place in the Central Division with a 45-21-4 record. They’re top five in goals scored (3.36) and fewest goals allowed (2.57). Jake Oettinger is a mainstay in between the posts and the core for the Stars is phenomenal. Eight players have a minimum of 40 points. Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Matt Duchene, among others, are all weapons. Keep an eye out for the Stars. They could finally compete for a Cup.

Colorado Avalanche (+750)

The Avs have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the last few seasons, and that hasn’t changed. Led by reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado is very much a contender again. Jared Bednar’s squad owns a 43-25-3 record and was also one of the most active teams at the deadline. They added Charlie Coyle, Brock Nelson, and Erik Johnson, who have all made an immediate impact. The Avalanche are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and MacKinnon is having another monster season, scoring 28 goals and tallying 77 helpers.

Edmonton Oilers (+750)

How can you count out the Oilers? After all, they took the Panthers to seven games in the Finals last summer. While Connor McDavid might not be scoring the puck at the highest rate, he’s still dominating, and teammate Leon Draisaitl is in line to win the Hart. Edmonton is third in the Pacific Division and has all the playoff experience necessary to make another run. Plus, they have extra motivation after falling just short in 2024.

Stanley Cup Betting Futures Picks

Considering the playoffs have yet to begin, it’s logical to bet on a few teams. While the likes of Washington, Winnipeg, and Vegas could be under-the-radar contenders, I’m eyeing the usual suspects. The Panthers are undoubtedly worth a look, and so are the Stars. Lastly, I also like the Avalanche, who are very solid on both ends of the ice.

Picks: Panthers (+575), Stars (+600), Avalanche (+750)