Five Contenders for a Stanley Cup Run in the NHL Playoffs

There aren’t many sporting scenarios as competitive and compelling as the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Space on the ice isn’t much, and each player (even the goalies) has to keep their head on a swivel because there’s always a guy wearing the other jersey right next to him. 

The waning days of the regular season are about to cede the floor to the postseason as a stacked field of 16 teams all have eyes on the prize. 

It’s different this time around, as none of the four Original Six U.S.-based teams (Boston Bruins. Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers) are in the playoffs. That’s a first, and it certainly affected the NHL playoff odds (the two Original Six Canadian teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, both qualified. Canada hasn’t won the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens of 1993).

With the eight, best-of-seven opening-round series set to begin in a few days, odds are tight atop the board. The aforementioned defending-champion Florida Panthers are 7-1 (+700) co-favorites, along with the Dallas Stars (their lone Cup was hoisted in 1999).

Right behind at 8-1 (+800) are the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights.

Next are the 9-1 (+900) Carolina Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton, of course, nearly finished a historic comeback in the Finals last season but lost Game 7 at Florida.

It’s somewhat strange the two best-record teams, as in the Washington Capitals and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets, are “down there” at 10-1 (+1000).

Odds are fluids, so it’s the job of the bettor to find the best time to invest,  

Here’s a bit of a primer on the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs…

What NHL Team Has Never Been to the Stanley Cup?

We need to be a bit more specific here, as in what teams have never been to the Finals of the Stanley Cup. Looking at the 32 teams in the NHL standings, those five would (alphabetically) be the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Utah Hockey Club (former Arizona Coyotes) and Winnipeg Jets (both incarnations).

What Date is the Stanley Cup Finals?

As of this mid-April writing, there are no definitive Stanley Cup Finals dates. However, if the series goes to seven games as it did last season, then the NHL has set Monday, June 23rd, as the date of the concluding game. Note those NHL games shall have the dates set in the near future.   

Who Will Win the 2025 Stanley Cup? 

That’s the question which is preoccupying everyone in hockey and everyone who pays attention to hockey. It’s no surprise NHL hockey lines are as tight as the ice itself during the playoffs. 

There are also NHL playoff odds and props around individual games and length of each series as well as the biggest individual postseason award, the Conn Smythe Trophy.  

Any Final Thoughts?

Anyone who pays even marginal attention to NHL scores is pumped ahead of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. With eight teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences duking it out in tight-checking and (presumably) low-scoring affairs, a thin line between winning and losing exists. It’s the premier goal scorers and goaltenders going at it every evening,

Then, after three rounds, the two left standing compete in the Stanley Cup Finals