NHL Stanley Cup 2024-25 Odds: Will the Cup Stay in Florida?

• • Head Coach: Kris Knoblauch
  • 2023-24 Record: 49-27-6 (Stanley Cup Finalists)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 5
  • Key Players: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard

Similar to last season, the Oilers got off to an unusually slow start. They lost three consecutive games and five of their first seven games. Nevertheless, they have responded positively and are in their best form in January. Recall that the Oilers opened the 2023-24 season at 2-9-1 and went to the Stanley Cup Finals.

As of January 8, the Oilers hold a record of 25-12-3 with 53 points. The slow stretch out of the gate has prevented them from leading in the Pacific Division, though. The Oilers trail the Vegas Golden Knights by six points for the divisional lead.

That said, the NHL Stanley Cup betting odds give the Oilers the clear upper hand. Despite the lackadaisical opening month last year, they landed in the Stanley Cup Final against the Panthers.

Bettors are identifying a potentially similar trend this season. After all, the Oilers returned the same core that did so well last year. Superstar center Connor McDavid is having another standout campaign in Edmonton. McDavid has scored 16 goals and 39 assists in 37 games this season.

A big save by Stuart Skinner at one end, and a goal by Connor McDavid at the other! 🔵🟠

📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/R4a5KjyzGe

— NHL (@NHL) January 8, 2025

With a supporting cast that includes Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard, the Oilers are ready for another deep run in the playoffs. The goaltending was the primary concern for the Oilers entering this season, but Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have held up well.

Skinner boasts a 2.69 GAA and 0.902 save percentage in 27 games and Pickard has a 2.46 GAA and 0.898 save percentage in 15 trips to the crease. Everyone is aware of the high-powered Oilers’ offense, but the goaltending will have to steal a game or two in the playoffs. The experience Skinner gained during last year’s playoff run should benefit the Oilers greatly.

The Oilers are generating a bunch of chances and playing like the most dangerous team in the league. Even though McDavid missed some time and the team had a slow start, the Oilers are still in a fantastic position at 13 games above .500. Don’t be surprised if the Oilers’ Stanley Cup odds drop from +600 to +500 or shorter soon.

• • Head Coach: Paul Maurice
  • 2023-24 Record: 52-24-6 (Stanley Cup Champions)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 1
  • Key Players: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, Sergei Bobrovsky

The Florida Panthers are the 2024 Stanley Cup champs after edging out the Edmonton Oilers in seven games on home ice. They nearly collapsed and coughed up a 3-0 series lead, but prevailed in a 2-1 victory in Game 7!

Are the Panthers a serious threat to win back-to-back Stanley Cups? Similar to the Oilers, the Panthers have their offensive talent back together, so they have a strong chance. The Panthers are off to a 24-15-2 record through 41 regular season games in 2024-25.

THAT’S A TEXTBOOK GIVE-AND-GO pic.twitter.com/0HLQYPUgZb

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) January 7, 2025

Florida brought back all the big guns that helped deliver the first Stanley Cup to Sunrise. They inked Sam Bennett to an eight-year deal in the offseason. His production hasn’t lived up to that contract so far this season, though.

More concerning for the Panthers is how far the defensive unit has regressed. Although the offensive firepower returned to the Panthers, they lost two key members of the blue line, and it is showing. Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson departed Florida, leaving the defense with a glaring hole!

The Panthers are 17th in the NHL, conceding 3.10 goals per game this season. 36-year-old veteran Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been fine, with a 2.76 GAA and 0.901 save percentage. With the defense less equipped than a year ago, Bobrovsky won’t have much room for error in the playoffs.

• • Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour
  • 2023-24 Record: 52-23-7 (Lost Second Round)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 1
  • Key Players: Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov

The Carolina Hurricanes disappointingly crashed out of the playoffs in the second round to the Rangers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There were significant changes to the Hurricanes’ roster in the offseason, so expectations were lower entering the 2024-25 campaign.

The list of subtractions included Jake Guentzel, Stefan Noesen, Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce. Losing that much talent in one year is often too much for teams to overcome. However, the Hurricanes have not only recovered, but are excelling.

Carolina’s 2024-25 NHL Stanley Cup odds have improved, and they are getting production from the newcomers. In his first year with the Hurricanes, 27-year-old center Jack Roslovic is having the best season of his career. Meanwhile, Eric Robinson has proven to be a solid acquisition for the Hurricanes.

Jack Roslovic can’t stop scoring 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ugcLAY5En0

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 24, 2024

As a result, the Hurricanes are exceeding pre-season expectations. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour signed an extension with the organization in the offseason. It’s paying off and Brind’Amour is earning every cent this year. The Hurricanes are third in the Metropolitan Division at 24-15-2 and 50 points.

While it’s impressive what the Hurricanes have accomplished, I’m not running to offshore sportsbooks to back them to win the Cup at +750! The betting value previously present at +1400 in the pre-season is no longer available, so consider passing on the third-shortest odds.

• • Head Coach: Sheldon Keefe
  • 2023-24 Record: 38-39-5 (Missed Playoffs)
  • Stanley Cup Titles: 3
  • Key Players: Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier 

In his first season as the bench boss, Sheldon Keefe has the Devils turned after they fell well below expectations in 2023-24. The Devils finished a game under .500, which resulted in head coach Lindy Ruff receiving his walking papers. After suffering the same fate in Toronto, Keefe was hired to bring this team up to par.

Keefe’s Devils are in contention for the Metropolitan Division title. The Devils are 25-15-3 with 53 points — a considerable improvement from where they were last year at this time. They didn’t lack talent, but it didn’t come together for Ruff. However, Keefe has the Devils playing as one cohesive unit.

HUGHES TO HUGHES 🤝

Luke sets up Jack for his 15th goal in 22 games against the Rangers pic.twitter.com/nV7rgg8Reu

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 23, 2024

There is a mix of young guns and experienced veterans on this roster. There is certainly enough young talent for the Devils to be a contender for a while. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier are having a strong season for the Devils. Meanwhile, veteran Timo Meier is among the top contributors.

That said, it’s the Devils’ defense that has brought this squad to the next level. Overall, New Jersey is third in the NHL, with an average of 2.53 goals allowed per game. Dougie Hamilton and Brenden Dillon have been strong on the top line. There’s also plenty of depth, as Pesce and Luke Hughes are getting results on the third line.

This is a solid squad worth keeping tabs on in the playoffs. A trip to the Stanley Cup Final isn’t out of the question for Keefe’s Devils!