The 2024-25 NHL regular season ends in less than a month, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs picture is becoming more clear. The upper echelon of Stanley Cup contenders has emerged, and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin continues to inch closer to breaking the NHL all-time goals scored record held by Wayne Gretzky since 1999. On the NHL awards front, the race for the Hart Trophy is essentially down to two players, and the race for the Calder Trophy is now neck-and-neck. With the regular season winding down, the latest NHL betting odds at BetMGM have shifted dramatically at sportsbooks in the last week.
SportsLine expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has broken down the latest betting trends NHL futures odds from BetMGM and locked in his top picks to win the Stanley Cup, Hart Memorial Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, and Calder Memorial Trophy.
In the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, Kaylor picked Nathan MacKinnon to be the first goal scorer and for the game to finish under 5.5 goals. The result: MacKinnon notched the game’s first goal for a 13-1 payout, and the game finished with a final score of 3-2 in Canada’s favor.
This week, Kaylor also nailed a five-leg same-game parlay in the Avalanche vs. Red Wings game for a payout of almost 7-1.
Kaylor has had a chance to break down the latest NHL odds from BetMGM and has locked in his top futures bet for the Stanley Cup and NHL player awards.
2025 Stanley Cup odds (at BetMGM)
There wasn’t a lot of movement here this week, with only the Avalanche and Hurricanes improving their odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers took a slight dip, and the Stars and Panthers remain the top two favorites. Colorado is red-hot right now, but remains headed towards a first round playoff matchup against Dallas.
Best Value Bet: Colorado Avalanche +750
Hart Memorial Trophy odds (at BetMGM)
With Draisaitl sidelined, this has turned into a two-horse race between Hellebuyck and MacKinnon. Hellebuyck remains the favorite, but MacKinnon closed the gap and saw his odds nearly cut in half this week. With the way the Avalanche are playing right now, MacKinnon has a very real chance at becoming a rare back-to-back Hart Trophy winner. MacKinnon has the highest ticket count, but Hellebuyck is the biggest liability for BetMGM.
Best bet: Nathan MacKinnon (+180)
James Norris Trophy odds (at BetMGM)
Nothing new here — Makar is running away with the Norris Trophy. 53.5% of the total handle and 25.9% of total tickets are on Makar, but Hughes is the biggest liability for BetMGM.
Best value bet: Cale Makar (-750) at 3+ units
Calder Memorial Trophy odds (at BetMGM)
This race is now likely going to come down to the final week of the regular season. By next week, Hutson may overtake Celebrini as the favorite here. BetMGM’s biggest liability remains Michkov, however.
Best Bet: Lane Hutson (-110)
Looking for more NHL picks?
SportsLine expert Matt Severance is on a 59-23 roll (+2113) on NHL picks. Visit SportsLine now to get all of his NHL picks.
As the NHL season heats up and teams jockey for playoff positioning, hockey fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. With the regular season winding down, experts are beginning to analyze the odds of each team’s chances of hoisting the coveted Stanley Cup trophy.
According to leading sportsbooks, the top contenders for the 2025 Stanley Cup include perennial powerhouses like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams have consistently performed well throughout the season and have the depth and talent to make a deep playoff run.
However, there are also some dark horse teams that could surprise everyone and make a run for the Stanley Cup. Teams like the Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers have all exceeded expectations this season and could be poised for a playoff upset.
In terms of individual awards, the race for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player, is heating up. Leading candidates include superstars like Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. Each of these players has had an outstanding season and has been instrumental in their team’s success.
In addition to Stanley Cup odds and award predictions, betting trends are also an important factor to consider when placing bets on NHL games. As the playoffs approach, bettors should keep an eye on trends like home/away records, injuries, and head-to-head matchups between teams. These factors can all play a role in determining the outcome of a game and can help bettors make more informed decisions when placing bets.
Overall, the 2025 NHL season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of playoff implications and thrilling matchups on the horizon. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or just looking to place a bet on the Stanley Cup playoffs, staying informed on the latest odds, predictions, and betting trends is key to making smart decisions and maximizing your chances of success.
