The NHL season is set to get back underway this Saturday after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off which without a doubt was packed with fireworks and some of the best hockey we’ve seen all year.
With the playoffs inching closer, teams are starting to separate themselves as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders in the final stretch.
Right now, the betting odds are favoring 5 teams and it’s easy to see why. The Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs might not be in the lead when it comes to records, but they all have the best odds to win it all.
Each of these teams has built a strong case for a deep playoff run. Whether through elite offensive talent, lockdown defense, or strong special teams, they’re proving they’re the best contenders for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Here’s a closer look at how these teams are shaping up as we head into the final 25 games of the season.
Current Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: +600
The Oilers have been perennial contenders for the Stanley Cup thanks to their superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Draisaitl leads the team with an impressive 40 goals and 83 points, while McDavid has piled up 49 assists. He’s proving once again that he’s the best playmaker in the league and possibly the world.
Edmonton’s offensive firepower is undeniable. They’re averaging 3.31 goals per game, good for 6th in the league. Their power play, converting at 25%, is also one of their biggest weapons.
However, there are some concerns. The Oilers’ penalty kill sits at just 75.6%. This could be an issue in a playoff series where special teams often decide games and some of the other teams have the best power play units in the NHL.
Even with their defensive flaws on the PP unit, the Oilers have been one of the hottest teams in the league and it’s easy to see why. Sure, they’re sitting 4th in the standings with 72 points, but they’ve shown they can win both at home and on the road with an 18-10-2 and 17-6-2 record respectively.
If McDavid and Draisaitl continue to dominate, Edmonton has a strong chance to end Canada’s Stanley Cup drought.
Current Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: +650
Carolina doesn’t have the same superstar firepower as Edmonton. However, they make up for it with structure, depth, and one of the most elite defenses.
The Hurricanes allow just 2.71 goals per game which is good for 6th in the NHL and own the league’s best penalty kill at a dominant 86.1%. Their ability to shut down opponents will make them a nightmare matchup in the postseason regardless of who they’re up against.
As a recent acquisition, Mikko Rantanen leads the team with 66 points (both from his time on the Avs and the Canes) while Sabastian Aho has put together a solid 55-point season.
As Rantanen is still trying to find his place in the lineup, the Canes don’t have a dominant goal-scorer — Seth Jarvis leads the way with just 22 goals — but they spread out their scoring well, which makes them tough to shut down and adds more depth to their lines.
Currently 7th in the standings with 70 points, Carolina’s strong road record of 21-6-1 is what stands out. Winning on the road is crucial in the playoffs since every series is split, and the Hurricanes have shown they can do it consistently.
If they get the right goaltending, they’ll be a major threat in the Eastern Conference.
Current Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: +800
The Panthers skated away with the Stanley Cup last year, and they look all set to do it again.
They rank in the top 10 in goals per game with 3.30 and a power play percentage of 24.4%, which goes to show their offensive depth. Sam Reinhart has been the team’s go-to scorer, netting 31 goals and 62 points and not looking to slow down at all. On top of that, Aleksander Barkov continues to be one of the most reliable two-way centers in the league.
Defensively, Florida is solid but not what we’d call spectacular. They allow a moderate 2.90 goals per game and have a middle-of-the-pack penalty kill at 79.3% which puts them at 17th in the NHL. Still, their ability to generate offense in key moments when they need it the most makes them dangerous.
Currently sitting 6th in the standings with 71 points, the Panthers have been a tough out all year. Their recent form is also strong, with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games leading up to the 4 Nations Face-Off.
If they can tighten up defensively after the 2-week break, they have everything needed to challenge for the Cup.
Current Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: +900
Dallas has quietly put together one of the best defensive units in the league.
They allow just 2.51 goals per game which is good for 4th in the NHL and have the second-best penalty kill at 85%. That kind of defensive consistency makes them a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Offensively, they’re not as high-powered as some of the other top teams, but they hold their own. They’re averaging 3.27 goals per game which puts them at 21st, so there’s definitely some room for improvement.
Matt Duchene leads the team in goals with 22 and points with 55, but they don’t have a dominant scorer like some of the other top contenders. Instead, Dallas relies on depth and strong defensive play to win games.
The Stars are currently 2nd in the Central Division standings with 72 points and tied with Edmonton in the overall outlook but holding a better goal differential with a decent +43. They’ve also been strong on the road (15-11-1), which, as we always say, bodes well for a long playoff run.
If their defense holds up, and it should, they could be a tough out in a 7-game series.
Current Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: +1100
Toronto has the longest odds of the top 5 contenders, but they really shouldn’t be overlooked and underrated.
The Maple Leafs have an all-around top-tier offense, led by William Nylander. He’s notched 33 goals and Mitch Marner is helping out with his 71 points. They average 3.07 goals per game which is good for 12th in the NHL but also have a solid power play at 23.2% which is also good for 12th.
Defensively, they’ve been fairly decent as they’ve allowed 2.84 goals per game. Their PK unit, however, is a concern at just 79.9%. In the playoffs, where special teams almost always play a huge role, that could be their Achilles.
Toronto currently sits 2nd in the Atlantic Division standings with 68 points, which puts them just outside the top 8 overall. They’ve been strong at home with a 19-11-0 record, but their road record of 14-9-2 isn’t as dominant as some of the other top teams.
If they can get consistent goaltending and tighten up a bit defensively, they have the offensive firepower to make a deep run.
As the NHL season resumes in the next few days, these 5 teams have positioned themselves as the top Stanley Cup contenders. However, there’s still plenty of hockey and we expect some of these to fall from grace as others rise up.
Edmonton’s elite offensive duo makes them the clear betting favorite, while Carolina’s defensive structure gives them an edge in tight playoff games. Florida’s balanced attack, Dallas’ defensive dominance, and Toronto’s high-scoring offense all make them serious threats for the Cup as well.
With just a couple of months left in the regular season, every game matters. The race for playoff seeding will undoubtedly be intense, and how these teams perform down the stretch could determine who lifts the Stanley Cup in June.