The Dallas Stars made the boldest move at the NHL trade deadline and that's helping to sway oddsmakers in the NHL Stanley Cup picks. The Stars are set as the +550 favorite in the Stanley Cup betting lines.
The defending champion Florida Panthers are next in the Stanley Cup picks at odds of +650. Meanwhile last season's losing finalists the Edmonton Oilers are given a betting line of +725.
There are three teams currently with odds of +1000 - the Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche.
Here's a look at the latest Stanley Cup betting lines. Remember, odds are always subject to change.
| NHL Stanley Cup Odds |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | +550 | +575 | +600 |
| Florida Panthers | +650 | +550 | +600 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +725 | +800 | +800 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +1000 | +800 | +800 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1000 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Washington Capitals | +1000 | +900 | +1100 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 | +1100 | +1200 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1100 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1200 | +1100 | +900 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1300 | +900 | +1200 |
The Panthers joined the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins as the only teams since 1984 to go from losing finalists to Stanley Cup champions in successive seasons. Interestingly, the previous team to do that in 1983-84 was the Oilers.
Stanley Cup Betting Tips
Before we take a deeper dive into the NHL Stanley Cup futures and best bets, why not check out our list of the best NHL betting sites to see where the best NHL odds and picks are located. As well, these online sportsbook reviews will help you determine which betting site is the one that's going to take care of your NHL wagering needs on a comprehensive basis. And if you're someone who is living life constantly on the go, these are the best sports betting apps that can help you get your NHL bets down in the midst of your busy schedule.
Don't Back Repeat Performances In Stanley Cup Picks
Prior to making your NHL picks, realize that the Panthers are also facing a tall order to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Since 1990, just three teams have won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
The Pittsburgh Penguins won in 1990-91 and again in 1991-92. It was the Detroit Red Wings who achieved it in 1996-97 and 1997-98. And the Penguins would do it once more in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Let's look at the latest NHL picks in the Stanley Cup betting odds
Dallas Stars (+550)
Picking up Stanley Cup champion and two-time 100-point scorer Mikko Rantanen in a deadline deal with Carolina, the Stars may have added the final piece to their Stanley Cup puzzle. He's averaging 1.13 points per game this season.
🗣️ OTTER! OTTER! OTTER! OTTER!@NationalLife | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/88makh9stf
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 25, 2025
Jake Oettinger rates among the NHL's best goalies and Miro Heiskanen is an underrated defender. That Stars suit up 11 players who've scored double digits in goals.
Stanley Cup finalists in 2019 and Western Conference finalists the past two springs, this could be the spring that the Stars will be taking that next step. This is a club full of talent that has been allowed to grow together.
Florida Panthers (+650)
The Panthers have been battling for top spot in the Atlantic Division all season long. They've also been battling the challenges that repeating as a champion does create.
Star forward Matthew Tkachuk has been idled by injury. First-pairing defender Aaron Ekblad is currently serving a 20-game NHL suspension for taking a banned substance.
Edmonton Oilers (+725)
Preseason chalk to win the Stanley Cup, it's been a season of ups and downs for Edmonton. Goalie Stuart Skinner has struggled with consistency.
It's even been a down year for Oilers captain Connor McDavid. The three-time NHL MVP is headed for his worst season in terms of productivity in five years.
Colorado Avalanche (+1000)
The hottest team in the NHL of late, Colorado is 10-1-1 over the past 12 games. The 2021 Cup champion Avalanche have revamped their roster over the course of the season.
Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas are perfect for each other. pic.twitter.com/R49S6OP9po
— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) March 11, 2025
There's two new goalies (Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood), as well as forwards Martin Necas, Jack Drury, Brock Nelson, Jimmy Vesey and Charlie Coyle and defenseman Erik Johnson. The sense among hockey people is that this Colorado roster is much better-suited to make a Cup run.
Washington Capitals (+1000)
Spurred on by captain Alex Ovechkin's drive to overtake Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goals leader, the Capitals are currently the No. 1 team in the overall NHL standings. They were the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season. Last year, the Capitals were the final team to earn a playoff berth.
Goaltender Logan Thompson has proven to be one of the NHL's best offseason additions. He's 31-4-5 with a 2.30 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Winnipeg Jets (+1000)
The best team in the West, Winnipeg and Washington are battling for the league's top record. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is being touted as a Vezina and Hart Trophy favorite. He's already won 40 games.
The Jets are the NHL's stingiest defensive team (2.34 goals against per game) and No. 3 in the league in offense (3.43 goals per game). Winnipeg is 42-3-1 when scoring at least three goals in a game this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning (+1100)
Back-to-back Stanley Cup champs in 2019 and 2020, the Lightning appear to be loading up for one last run at glory.
Still equipped with the best goalie in the game in Andrei Vasilevskiy, as well as Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Victor Hedman and two-time NHL scoring champ Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay will be a tough out for any club.
Best Bets In Stanley Cup Picks
Since arriving in Dallas as GM, Jim Nill has steadily built a stellar squad with astute drafting, filling in the gaps with wise trades and free-agent signings. The home-grown talent includes Oettinger, Heiskenan and forwards Johnson, Robertson, Hintz and captain Jamie Benn.
They've been to one Cup final series in 2019 and nearly got there again last season. This will be the season that Dallas gets over the hump. Take the Stars to win in the NHL Stanley Cup picks.
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