Stanley Cup Odds: 2024-25 Predictions and Insights for Hockey Fans and Bettors

Iain MacMillan | Oct 30, 2024

Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers pose with the cup for a team photo after winning game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

We're approaching the end of the first month of the 2024-25 NHL season and we've seen some surprising results through the first few weeks, including the defending Western Conference champion, the Edmonton Oilers, sitting at 4-5-1 and in second last place in the Pacific Divison.

If you want to find out what chance the team you cheer for has of winning the Stanley Cup this season, the best place to look is the betting market. The odds will always show the true probability of something taking place and much like the stock market, they'll increase and decrease based on odds, game results, and other factors.

In this article, we're going to take a look at the odds for every team including a closer look at a few teams that stick out amongst the rest.

Top 2024-25 Stanley Cup Contenders: Which Teams Have the Best Odds?

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

• Oilers +800
• Stars +1000
• Panthers +1100
• Rangers +1100
• Devils +1300
• Maple Leafs +1300
• Hurricanes +1300
• Avalanche +1300
• Golden Knights +1400
• Lightning +1800
• Canucks +2100
• Jets +2200
• Predators +2200
• Bruins +2200
• Wild +2300
• Kings +3000
• Senators +4000
• Islanders +4400
• Penguins +6000
• Capitals +7000
• Sabres +7000
• Red Wings +7000
• Blues +7000
• Utah Hockey Club +7500
• Kraken +8500
• Flames +10000
• Flyers +14000
• Blackhawks +22000
• Canadiens +23000
• Blue Jackets +40000
• Ducks +40000
• Sharks +40000

The Edmonton Oilers, despite getting off to a slow start to their season, remain the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup, fresh off a season where they were one win away from immortalizing themselves in hockey history.

The latest odds haven't moved much based on the first three weeks of the season and the usual suspects are atop the list. Behind the Oilers are the Dallas Stars, the New York Rangers, and the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.

While being able to put the puck in the opponent's nets and getting good goaltender play to prevent the other team from doing so are clearly the two most important factors for a Stanley Cup-winning team, an underrated aspect of a complete team is one that has depth. Unlike other sports where a star play can dominate a game and stay on the field/court for the majority of the time, hockey doesn't work that way.

There are four lines on each team and a star player will play 25 of 60 minutes at best. Teams that can boast four strong lines are those that can make deep playoff runs. Team that are top heavy with just one or two lines can be exploited when their third and fourth lines are on the ice.

That's why teams like the Oilers, Stars, and Panthers will continue to be atop the NHL standings.

Factors Affecting Stanley Cup Odds

The way that Stanley Cup odds are set is largely based on which teams are getting bet on the most. Sportsbooks will set initial odds based on their evaluations of teams and then will adjust the odds based on incoming bets.

Wagers that are placed by bettors are deemed "sharp" but the sportsbook will usually be weighed with more value than bets from the general public.

Roster, injuries, season performance, and coaching are all factored into how people evaluate how likely it is for a team to win the Stanley Cup. As the season goes on, odds will be adjusted and the team's records will become more important in determining their odds as the season goes on.

Stanley Cup Long Shots: Which Teams Could Surprise in 2024-25?

Washington Capitals

The most surprising team through the first few weeks of the NHL season has been the Washington Capitals, who currently sit at 6-2 through their first eight games. Alexander Ovechkin is nearing the end of his career and he's not only chasing one more Stanley Cup, but he's also quickly approaching Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. As of writing this article, Ovechkin is 37 goals behind Gretzky's record.

Minnesota Wild

Another dark horse team is the Minnesota Wild. They may not have the offensive firepower of other teams, but they continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. Grinding out victories in low-scoring games can go a long way in the NHL.

The NHL Stars Shaping Stanley Cup Odds in 2024-25

We're starting to see the next generation of NHL players emerge and help their teams become Stanley Cup contenders. There will still be the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov, but there are teams with young players who are looking to make a significant impact this season.

Kirill Kaprizov of the Wild, Tim Stutzle of the Senators, and Kyle Connor of the Jets are three young players who are looking to improve their team's odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season.

The most impactful position in the NHL when it comes to Stanley Cup odds is the goaltender. A strong goalie can carry a team through the playoffs, as we've seen time and time again in previous years.

The Jets' Stanley Cup odds have been significantly impacted in a positive way because of their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who's fresh off winning the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL last season.

Betting Strategies for Stanley Cup Odds

Betting on NHL futures is much like the stock market in the sense that you should always buy low on teams.

If you want to bet on a top team, like the Edmonton Oilers, betting on them when they're on a cold streak which causes their odds to take a small dip is a smart strategy. That way, you can get them at longer odds than what they're usually set at in hopes that they'll snap out of the cold streak they're in.

If you want to bet on a dark horse, bet on them at the start of a hot streak before the market adjusts. This can be risky as sometimes those teams revert back to a bad version of themselves, but if you can bet on them before the public opinion catches on to how good they are, you're going to hold a ticket that has fantastic value.

How to Track Stanley Cup Odds Throughout the Season

Stanley Cup odds will fluctuate as the season goes on based on how a team is performing as well as any injuries they suffer. Teams will also make acquisitions via trade during the season, especially when the trade deadline is approaching, that makes significant changes to their Stanley Cup odds.

Bad teams who look like they're going to miss the NHL Playoffs will see their Stanley Cup odds fall off the cliff as the league gets into the second half of its season.

The best way to take advantage of odds movements are to jump on them before the market adjusts. Try your best to keep track of breaking news, especially injuries and trades, throughout the season.

Historical Trends in Stanley Cup Odds

For the most part, teams who are expected to be good at the start of the season end up making the playoffs. It is extremely rare, if ever, for teams to start the season at the bottom of the odds list to win the Cup ending up being good and going on a Stanley Cup run. Generally, you should stay away from betting on the basement dwellers at the start of the season.

With that being said, there have been cases of teams who had high expectations heading into the season, got off to a bad start, but then caught fire in the second half of the season. The 2023-24 Edmonton Oilers and the 2018-19 St. Louis Blues are examples of two teams who got off to such a bad start to their seasons that they fired their head coach. Both teams recovered in the second half of the season and went on to play in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Blues won the Cup in 2019 after being in last place in the league on January 3.

Past Stanley Cup Winners

Stanley Cup winners over the past 10 years:

YEAR	TEAM
2024	Florida Panthers
2023	Vegas Golden Knights
2022	Colorado Avalanche
2021	Tampa Bay Lightning
2020	Tampa Bay Lightning
2019	St. Louis Blues
2018	Washington Capitals
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins
2015	Chicago Blackhawks

Teams With Most Stanley Cup Wins

Teams with multiple Stanley Cup victories:

1. Canadiens - 24
2. Maple Leafs - 13
3. Red Wings - 11
4. Bruins - 6
5. Blackhawks - 6
6. Oilers - 5
7. Penguins - 5
8. Rangers - 4
9. Islanders - 4
10. Devils - 3
11. Lightning - 3
12. Avalanche - 3
13. Flyers - 2
14. Kings - 2

How to Bet on the Stanley Cup

All you have to do is sign up at one of the sportsbooks listed below using the link. Once you create an account, make a deposit using one of the methods offered. Once the money is in your account, go to the "NHL" section and then the "Futures" subsection. That is where you'll find the Stanley Cup odds. Click the team you want to bet on and the amount you want to wager, and that's it!

Where to Bet on the Stanley Cup

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• BetMGM
• Bet365
• Caesars

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.