With March having arrived, all teams have about 25 percent of their regular season remaining. For 16 teams, they will be playing into May, with roughly six others at this time trying to hunt down the two Wild Card slots in each conference.
Here are the odds from the top sportsbooks to win the Stanley Cup as of March 5. Though a longer shot could win for now we’ll stick with the Top 12.
2025 Stanley Cup Odds
Below you will find the current Stanley Cup odds, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review).
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | +625 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +800 |
| Dallas Stars | +950 |
| Washington Capitals | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1100 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1200 |
| Colorado Avalance | +1300 |
| New Jersey Devils | +2000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +2800 |
| New York Rangers | +2800 |
| Minnesota Wild | +3300 |
Here is a look at who is trending well and could sustain it and who needs a reboot.
East Contenders
At present, the Top 3 teams in the Atlantic Division are on fire, Toronto, Tampa Bay, and the defending Stanley Cup champs, Florida.
Though Washington from the Metropolitan has more points than any of these three clubs, the Lightning and Panthers are more battle-tested. The shame of the NHL playoff format is only one of the three from the Atlantic will reach the East Finals because the first two rounds are essentially a division elimination.
Florida and Tampa Bay understand what it takes, with coaches who know how to prepare their team’s series and make the right adjustments game to game. The players in turn understand what is expected and execute. That is why they stand out.
East Pretenders
Toronto and Washington feel much the same. They check most of the boxes on offense and defense. Their problem is reaching that next level of play, particularly in conference semifinals and finals, where you make your breaks and take advantage of opportunities.
The Maple Leafs best players for decades have come up short and until we see something otherwise, it’s hard to back Toronto. The Capitals have enjoyed a magical year and their offense is close to unstoppable. Yet, in their last 12 or so games, the blueliners have broken down and the Washington goaltenders have not picked them up. Can the Caps fix this? Most certainly, but right now, that is a concern.
Carolina is second in the Metro. However, one has the sense that since 2022, the Hurricanes were in the position to take the Cup and could never put it together. Carolina has played more inconsistently and doesn’t look like a Cup contender.
West Contenders
Winnipeg and Vegas lead their respective divisions and are strong in all phases to play for the Stanley Cup. The Jets have been the best team in the NHL all season until thrown off a bit, with the offense sagging. This feels like what all squads go through once or twice a year when your offense falls into a rut. Winnipeg has the best netminder this year in Connor Hellebuyck and a stout defense.
Vegas has seen a few droughts but didn’t allow them to continue and bounced back. This organization has a championship pedigree and plays with poise.
No, we didn’t forget about Edmonton, who forced a Game 7 in The Finals and was so close. The Oilers have leaked oil recently in a team funk, but knowing what’s ahead, they are a prime West contender.
West Pretenders
With Dallas having the second-most points in the West, we’d love to place them in the top group. Yet, much like Toronto, the Stars don’t shine brightest when called upon deeper in the postseason. Dallas on paper isn’t missing any noticeable element, they just haven’t shown they are realistic contenders.
Los Angeles is too up and down for our taste. Colorado has to be counted because of their offense and play in Denver. When you go to the other end of the rink, there are holes on defense and between the pipes which cannot be overlooked.
Finally, some might ask why Minnesota doesn’t fit the criteria. Of the 12 teams that are 1 to 3 in the division standings, the Wild is the only outfit with a minus-goal differential.
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
NHL Betting FAQs
Question: Where Can I Go to Make a Bet on The NHL Playoffs?
Answer: The best online sportsbooks are the safest online sportsbooks, which are those licensed in jurisdictions where online sports betting is legal in the United States.
The top-rated books are BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, DrafKings, Bet365, Fanduel and BetRivers.
Question: What Types of Bets Are Popular with NHL Hockey?
Answer: The most popular bet is the moneyline where the underdog returns more money than you wagered while the favorite requires you to risk more than you could win. There is no point spread in moneyline wagering, it’s strictly whichever team wins the game wins the bet.
However, puck lines are also common, with the underdog getting +1 goal while the underdog is giving 1 ½ goals. Totals, or over/under betting, is another typical hockey bet where the bettor can bet over or under the posted total.
Question: Do I Have to Bet a Lot?
Answer: No, the minimum bet is as low as $1 and accounts can be funded with as little as $10 at many of the books across the nation.
Props and Bonuses
You can find a list of prop bets at all of the best U.S.-licensed online sportsbooks found right here at OddsTrader. Online sportsbooks like BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, DrafKings, Bet365, Fanduel and BetRivers all offer props like “Who Will Win the NHL Playoff MVP Award” and futures to win the Stanley Cup as well as generous signup bonuses.
Shop for Odds
If you want to compare the various NHL Odds, then click on the link and you will see the point spreads, moneylines, and totals at all of the best books in the industry.
