The 2024-25 NHL playoffs have concluded with the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers for the second consecutive year. Early odds for the 2026 Stanley Cup, as listed by DraftKings Sportsbook, show the Panthers as the favorites to win again.
Questions remain whether the Oilers will overcome Florida next season to prevent a three-peat, or if a new champion will emerge. As of June 18th, here are the early odds for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup champion:
– Florida Panthers: +600 (bet $10 to win $70)
– Edmonton Oilers: +700 (bet $10 to win $80)
– Carolina Hurricanes: +900 (bet $10 to win $100)
– Dallas Stars: +950 (bet $10 to win $105)
– Colorado Avalanche: +950 (bet $10 to win $105)
– Vegas Golden Knights: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130)
– Tampa Bay Lightning: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150)
– Toronto Maple Leafs: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210)
– New Jersey Devils: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210)
– Los Angeles Kings: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210)
It’s expected that the reigning champions top the odds list, after the Panthers secured the Stanley Cup with a 5-1 win over the Oilers in Game 6. The last team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups was Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
Sam Bennett, who led the playoffs with 15 goals including five in the finals, made history as the first Panthers player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Last year, that honor went to Oilers’ Conor McDavid. Though Florida is favored for another title, no team has won three consecutive Stanley Cups since the New York Islanders’ four straight wins from 1980 to 1983.
The Oilers and Hurricanes also remain strong contenders, with Edmonton second in the odds (+700) after reaching the finals twice in a row. The Hurricanes (+900), Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche (both +950) are among other contenders with decent odds. Near the bottom of the odds list are teams like the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.
Fan Take: This latest update highlights the intense rivalry building between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, which is thrilling for hockey fans and could shape the league’s competitive landscape for years. Watching if the Panthers can secure a rare three-peat or if the Oilers will thwart them adds an exciting storyline that deepens fan engagement and excitement around the Stanley Cup race.
