The Big Lead

NHL News: Season-opening odds feature a predictable Stanley Cup favorite

By J.P. Hoornstra

Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) talk after game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) talk after game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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The Edmonton Oilers have been a trendy pick to win a Stanley Cup for what seems like a decade. Former first-round draft picks Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had been lighting up scoreboards together for eight years before they finally reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2024.

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Now that bettors have some proof of concept, it should come as no surprise that the Oilers are the odds-on favorites to win the Cup in 2025. According to DraftKings, the Oilers enter their regular season debut Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets as the favorites (+800) to hoist the championship trophy next summer.

The Florida Panthers, coming off the first championship in franchise history, are next at +1000, per DraftKings. The Panthers beat the Boston Bruins 6-4 in their debut Tuesday.

Bet MGM also lists the Oilers and Panthers 1-2.

Among BetOnline.ag's prop bets for the season is the question on everyone's mind north of the border: Will a Canadian Team Win The Stanley Cup? The "No"s have it (-500), although this might be a good year to bet "Yes" (+300).

BetOnline also reports the top teams with the biggest handle to win the Cup (as of Tuesday) include one team not named the Oilers or Panthers:

  1. Edmonton Oilers
  2. New York Rangers
  3. Florida Panthers
  4. Dallas Stars
  5. New Jersey Devils

Just outside the top five are two longshot teams that have received a surprising amount of betting action: the Seattle Kraken (60/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup) and Montreal Canadiens (150/1 odds).

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