One thing we know for sure is that there will be a new team hoisting Lord Stanley’s chalice at the conclusion of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two-time defending champion Florida failed to qualify for the postseason with the race for the Cup a free-for-all.
The Colorado Avalanche won the President’s Trophy for accumulating the most points during the regular season and emerged as the Stanley Cup Champion favorite on the early Stanley Cup betting lines. Being the best during the season doesn’t always translate into playoff success, though.
Eight times since the President’s Trophy was first awarded for the 1985-86 season has the best team won the Stanley Cup, and it hasn’t been done in more than a decade. Chicago in the 2012-13 season was the last team to double dip. In fact, since then the President’s Trophy winner has been bounced twice in the first round, most recently Boston, which set an NHL record for wins and points, in the 2022-23 season.
Colorado could easily reverse the curse, but the NHL playoffs are much closer than other sports. A team getting hot at the right time can make a run much like the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. As the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference the Kings disposed of the top three seeds in the West then won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history going 16-4 during their run.
The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18 with the last potential game to be played no later than June 21.
Stanley Cup Playoff Preview
The NHL playoff field is loaded with quality teams, any of which could win the Stanley Cup. Only 16 points separate the 8 teams in the East with Carolina getting the top seed. Could this be the year the Hurricanes finally break through? They won the Metropolitan Division for the fourth time in six seasons, but without a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals their expectations have been tempered despite being one of the best teams.
One of the top teams in the West will be eliminated in the first round thanks to the current format. Dallas and Minnesota have the second and third best point totals in the conference but one will be eliminated after their first round matchup. The NHL futures odds reflect that with both opening in the middle of the Stanley Cup odds pack.
Western Conference NHL Playoff Teams
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Utah Mammoth
- Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks
- Los Angeles Kings
Eastern Conference NHL Playoff Teams
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Buffalo Sabres
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Montreal Canadiens
- Boston Bruins
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Ottawa Senators
Public Betting Odds Factors
- Succeeding in the Stanley Cup playoffs is as much mental as it is physical. Coming off a grueling 82-game regular season schedule the champion could potentially play another 28 games in the playoffs, which amounts to more than 1/3 of the season schedule.
- In an effort to get a spark for a deep playoff run we saw a few teams make in-season coaching changes. Vegas jettisoned Bruce Cassidy in favor of John Tortorella and the Kings elevated D.J. Smith. The Kings boast the worst offense of any playoff team and were among the worst in the entire NHL averaging 2.7 goals per game.
- On their way to the President’s Trophy the Avalanche were the best in the NHL in goals for and goals against per game. The duo of Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood were stellar in net, but neither have much playoff experience with just 11 games and 7 starts between them. And rotating goalies in the playoffs is a strategy rarely used.
- With Florida eliminated from the playoffs the Edmonton Oilers don’t have to worry about a third straight loss to them in the Stanley Cup Finals. But reaching the finals again is a concern. The Oilers have the best player on the planet in Connor McDavid, but will enter with significant injury concerns. Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman missed time and are expected to be out for the start of the playoffs.
- As the years continue to pass there is more pressure on the Canadian-based teams to win the Stanley Cup. After all, hockey is Canada’s sport and it’s been 32 years since a team north of the border has lifted the Cup. Edmonton has the shortest odds among the three Canadian teams in the playoffs.
- After a 14-year absence from the Stanley Cup playoffs the Buffalo Sabres have returned winning their first division title in 16 years and amassing their most points since the 06-07 season. Over the past several months they’ve been on a roll going 39-9-4 with the second-best offense during that stretch. A lack of playoff experience prevents them from being higher on the odds board.
- They are considered a longshot to win the Stanley Cup but don’t count out the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are looking for a deep run with their veteran core. If Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have one last push in them the Pens have value.
Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions
- Colorado has put together a heckuva season outscoring opponents by nearly 100 goals. But there’s a black cloud hanging over the President’s Trophy winner and the goaltending situation can be a problem once the postseason starts. In order to win and advance Colorado will need an avalanche of goals.
- Fans have become numb to Carolina being in the playoffs and not reaching the Stanley Cup Final. They’re the closest team to being elite in the East and you have to believe they’ll get over the hump. They had the most overall wins in the East and the second-best goal differential, and this is probably the best team they’ve had in recent years.
- It’s unfair that the second and third best teams in the West have to battle in the first round. Dallas has been to three straight Western Conference finals, losing them all and now faces a Minnesota club that amassed 104 points. The winner of this series could have enough momentum for a championship run.
Stanley Cup Playoff Betting Tips
Injury reporting remains vague in the NHL leading to issues when it comes to wagering on teams and games. The lack of information becomes more prevalent during the playoffs. There are a few things we do know. Leon Draisaitl will miss the opening of Edmonton’s first round series and Dallas’s Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz were out at the end of the season.
Stanley Cup Championship Odds
- Colorado +310
- Tampa Bay +360
- Carolina +500
- Dallas +1200
- Vegas +1200
- Edmonton +1500
- Ottawa +1600
- Buffalo +1700
- Minnesota +1700
- Utah +3500
- Montreal +3500
- Pittsburgh +4000
- Anaheim +5500
- Philadelphia +6000
- Los Angeles +6500
- Boston +7500
NHL futures odds are fluid and right now these numbers are just a suggestion. Make more informed NHL playoff wagers by first reading this informative guide. Success at the betting window isn’t good luck; rather it comes from preparation in understanding recent results, monitoring team updates and analyzing movement in odds.
