The best playoffs in sports (fight me!!) start on Saturday, as the puck drops on the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, depending on your source, there is either a clear favorite to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in June, or there’s a handful of hopefuls. Here is your NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview & Best Bets.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview & Best Bets
No matter where you look, the favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season is the Colorado Avalanche. As the league’s dominant team in the regular season, this makes sense. They also have the pedigree of winning the Cup in 2022 with the same core group they are entering these playoffs with. But their chances of winning vary depending on the source, ranging anywhere from 13% to 26%.
Yet, at +300, we’re getting the Avs to win at a 25% implied chance. So, with Colorado being a favorite to win the Cup, I’ve found a better, more profitable play.
Nathan MacKinnon to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (+650)
Betting Colorado’s superstar Nathan MacKinnon to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (Stanley Cup Finals MVP) is the route to that better, more profitable play. If the Avs win the Cup, it’ll be because of the league’s top goal scorer this season, MacKinnon.
While there’s a chance that MacKinnon’s teammate, Cale Makar, could sneak in there and win MVP, more than likely it’ll be MacKinnon leading the team in scoring and therefore (rightly or wrongly) considered the team’s most valuable player.
Montreal Canadiens +1.5 games vs Tampa Bay Lightning (-105)
I’m not just taking this play because I married into a Habs family, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. While the Tampa Bay Lightning are a juggernaut franchise, the Montreal Canadiens had themselves a season, matching the Lightning with 106 points, the franchise’s best total since 2014/15.
While the Lightning are rightfully favored in this series, I do think it’ll be a dragged-out affair. The Canadiens were tied with the Dallas Stars for the second-best road record in the league this season, so the chances of them stealing a game (or two) in Florida are high.
Edmonton Oilers to win Western Conference Playoffs (+600)
I’ll end with a longshot play – the Edmonton Oilers to win the Western Conference Playoffs and make their third straight Stanley Cup Finals. Would it be a stretch for this to happen? Sure, but at least we’re getting six times our money if it does.
The Oilers do have several things in their favor. First of all, the experience of having accomplished this feat the past two seasons, and the drive to finally win the Stanley Cup. Secondly, star Leon Draisaitl is expected to return soon from his “lower body injury”. Additionally, the Oilers are on the other half of the bracket, away from the Colorado Avalanche, so the soonest they’d have to face them would be the conference finals.
But, of course, the biggest factor is Connor McDavid. Having the world’s best player skating for your side can do wonders to tilt the chances of winning in your favor.
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