The Stanley Cup, emblematic of ice hockey supremacy in North America, is one of the most famous trophies in the world.
Awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) championship winners every year, the cup dates all the way back to 1892.
It was commissioned by Lord Stanley of Preston, the then-Governor General of Canada and was intended as a challenge cup for Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey clubs.
However, with the birth of the NHL in 1917, the Stanley Cup gradually became the exclusive championship trophy of the league.
When Did The NHL Begin?
All sports have their origin story and the NHL is no different. The league started with just four teams, but has since expanded to 32, across the US and Canada.
This expansion brought about a significant transformation in the sport's competitiveness and popularity.
The Stanley Cup playoffs, the annual tournament to decide the league champion, have become a high-stakes, high-drama event, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.
The 2025/2026 season is no different and just as competitive with every team hoping to make it to the playoffs.
But just who do the bookies think is in with the best chance of lifting the Stanley Cup in June 2026? All of the NHL odds below.
Play Off Dates
The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoff schedule has been officially announced with these key dates:
- Regular Season End: April 16, 2026
- Playoffs Begin: April 18, 2026
- Last Possible Stanley Cup Finals Game: June 19, 2026
Sixteen teams will qualify for the playoffs, with eight teams from each conference.
Colorado Avalanche are currently favoured to reach the finals, followed by strong contenders like the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL Outright Winners 2026 Odds
(odds correct as of January 31st 2026)
| Team | Stanley Cup 2026 Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 100/30 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 15/2 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 15/2 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 8/1 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 10/1 |
| Florida Panthers | 10/1 |
| Dallas Stars | 11/1 |
| Washington Capitals | 18/1 |
| New Jersey Devils | 22/1 |
| Minnesota Wild | 22/1 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 28/1 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 33/1 |
| Ottawa Senators | 33/1 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 33/1 |
| New York Rangers | 40/1 |
| Utah Mammoth | 40/1 |
| New York Islanders | 66/1 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 66/1 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 66/1 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 66/1 |
*All remaining teams are at least 80/1 or more.
How Does A Team Make The Playoffs?
The NHL's regular season is typically held from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. It's an even split with 41 games at home and 41 games away.
The season standings are based on a point system, so a team gets two points for a win, one point for losing in overtime or a shootout, and zero points for a straight loss.
With two conferences (Western and Eastern), the top eight teams from each, based on the standings, advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The NHL playoffs consist of four rounds, each of which is a best-of-seven series. So in order to move forward, a team must win four out of a possible seven games in each round.
Do that, and you move to the next round. The losing team is eliminated from the playoffs.
The final team left standing is crowned the Stanley Cup champions.
2025 Winner
The Florida Panthers won their second Stanley Cup in a row, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 7 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals.
The series was dramatic, with the teams going back and forth with two wins each from the first four games. However, Florida took game five and only needed one more to be crowned champions, which they duly were on June 17, 2025.
The complete series results were:
- Game 1: Panthers 3, Oilers 4
- Game 2: Panthers 5, Oilers 4
- Game 3: Oilers 1, Panthers 6
- Game 4: Oilers 5, Panthers 4
- Game 5: Panthers 5, Oilers 2
- Game 6: Oilers 1, Panthers 5
In the decisive Game 6, Sam Reinhart was on fire again, scoring four of the Florida Panthers’ goals and Matthew Tkachuk scored the other one in a 5–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
The victory marked the Panthers' second championship in their 30-year NHL history, having won it for the first time in 2024.
Betting On The NHL
Betting on the NHL is a unique experience, largely due to the nature of the sport and the league's structure.
The NHL is known for its parity, meaning the difference in skill level between the top and bottom teams is often smaller than in other sports.
Unlike most other sports, where there is clearly a much better team playing a weaker team, NHL games are more competitive.
This gives the underdog a more realistic chance of winning, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement to betting.
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The Stanley Cup playoffs are famously intense, and games are often decided by fine margins. It's one of the rare sports where long-shot bets can pay off handsomely.
Things To Take Note Of…
If you want to bet on the NHL there are a few things to remember before you choose who to back.
The recent performance of a team can be a strong indicator of how they might perform in upcoming games.
A team on a winning streak might carry momentum, while a team on a losing streak might be struggling with confidence.
The health and availability of key players, especially star forwards or defensemen, can significantly impact a team's performance.
An injury to a key player can change the dynamics of a team, affecting their chances in upcoming games.
The goalie is often considered the most crucial player in hockey. A goaltender in top form can single-handedly win games, especially in the playoffs.
Betting on teams with the best goalies can be a wise strategy, particularly in tight, low-scoring games.
While home ice advantage in the NHL is not as pronounced as in sports like basketball or football, it still plays a role.
Home teams are familiar with their surroundings and have the support of their fans, which can provide a psychological edge.
However, this factor should be weighed alongside others, as some teams perform exceptionally well on the road.
Iconic Moments and Legendary Teams In The NHL
The history of the Stanley Cup is filled with remarkable feats and legendary teams.
The Montreal Canadiens hold the record for the most Stanley Cup championships, having won it 24 times.
Their dominance in the mid-20th century, including a streak of five consecutive wins from 1956 to 1960, is a testament to their prowess.
Another notable team is the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s, led by the great Wayne Gretzky.
They won the Cup five times in seven years, showcasing a brand of fast, offensive hockey that revolutionised the game.
Memorable Upsets and Big Wins
The Stanley Cup playoffs are known for their unpredictability and dramatic upsets.
One of the most memorable was the victory of the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Kings in 2012, who defied the odds to win their first Cup.
Similarly, the St. Louis Blues' 2019 triumph was a fairy tale, as they went from last place in the league in January to champions in June.
