As the NHL heads towards Christmas break, gamblers expect a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final. The defending champion Florida Panthers and the runner-up Edmonton Oilers are top picks. So, too, are the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars in the NHL betting odds elite class. Next are the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, and New Jersey Devils. Of course, gamblers bet the future based on the past but repeat champions have become rare. Since 1992, only the 2016-17 Pittsburgh Penguins and 2020-21 Tampa Bay Lightning have repeated.
2024-25 NHL Stanley Cop Future Odds
Florida Panthers +800
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are off to a solid start for 2024-25. The Panthers were fighting with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division lead with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Of major concern is poor goaltending to start the year. Florida ranked 27th for goals against compared to 4th for goal scoring. Naturally, a team can’t sustain online wagering success in the playoffs without a tight back end and quality goaltending. Most gamblers believe top goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will pull himself together come playoff time.
Edmonton Oilers +800
The Edmonton Oilers have been inconsistent in the first half of the season but gamblers don’t care. Following their seven-game loss to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers have not appeared to be sulking. Still, Edmonton has mediocre NHL betting metrics of 18th for goal scoring, 23rd for power play efficiency, 14th for goals against, and 30t for penalty killing. The tandem of centers Leon Draisaitkl and Connor McDavid will keep the Oil gushing. However, goaltender Stuart Skinner must tighten up.
Carolina Hurricanes +800
No team does more with less than the Carolina Hurricanes. In the regular season, Carolina is a top performer. However, in the playoffs, they fall short. To illuminate, the Hurricanes were eliminated in the second round in three of the past four seasons. The lone exception was an appearance in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final. Carolina is in the thick of the Metropolitan Division race.
Surprisingly, the Hurricanes rank 3rd in the NHL for goal scoring. But the goal scoring is more by committee. While depth is important, the need for a finishing scorer remains a concern.
Dallas Stars +900
The Dallas Stars are coming off two consecutive losses in the Western Conference final. Head coach Pete DeBoer continues to engineer one of the most balanced teams in the NHL. However, the loss of Tyler Seguin to a lower body issue is a worry for the second half of the season. In like manner to Carolina, Dallas does not have a bona fide finishing scorer but does boast depth. Goaltender Jake Oettinger is one of the best in the game.
New York Rangers +1000
Of major concern was that the New York Rangers went through a stretch of six losses in seven games in early December. The Rangers rank 13th for goal scoring and 11th for goals against. New York made the Eastern Conference Final in two of the past three seasons. Thus, there could be a hangover effect for the regular season. Still, New York is one of the most talented teams in the NHL. Artemi Panarin is an elite scorer and goaltender Igor Shesterkin is in the elite class. Hence, the Broadway Blueshirts should soon bounce back.