2026 Stanley Cup Final – Betting and Favorites

Get ready for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final with the best offshore sportsbooks.

Here are 5 top favorites to reach the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with their odds and a detailed preview:

1. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are among the top favorites according to many betting markets.
BetOnline lists their Stanley Cup–winning odds at +750.
According to SI (Sports Illustrated), they are “set as favorites to finally get over the hump.”
In early-season analysis, oddsmakers point to their defensive structure and disciplined game plan as big strengths.
Their goaltending tandem, with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, gives them stability in net.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has built a team identity that can flip between tight defense and pressure offense.
Sebastian Aho continues to be a key offensive piece for Carolina.
Seth Jarvis has developed into an important secondary scorer, lifting some offensive burden.
Their two-way defensive play is one of their calling cards — they don’t rely solely on scoring.

2. Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers remain perennial contenders, and oddsmakers are backing them strongly.
On several sportsbook boards, they are quoted at +650, making them one of the top picks.
According to NHL Rumors, there’s a strong narrative of “unfinished business” for Edmonton after back-to-back Final losses.
Their core superstars — Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — remain the engine of their offense.
Their power play is elite, in large part due to McDavid and Draisaitl’s presence.
However, one crucial weakness has been goaltending consistency, especially in high-stakes games.
Their motivation is very high: two straight Finals losses can fuel a championship run.
The fact that they’re favored despite recent failures shows the level of respect for their core.
Their offense is not just top-heavy; they have supporting pieces that can hit in the playoffs.
If Edmonton can clean up defensive lapses, they are an absolute monster come playoff time.
Their roster is constructed to maximize transition offense, which is McDavid’s bread and butter.
The Oilers’ management understands that this window may be limited, so they’ll likely go all-in.
For many bettors, the payout on Edmonton is worth the risk — high upside, but not a pure long shot.
If they reach the Final, they’ll probably lean on their star power to carry critical games.

3. Florida Panthers

The Panthers are chasing a historic three-peat, and many oddsmakers see them as in the mix.
Their odds sit around +700 or +750 on the SportsBetting.ag.
They bring championship experience, having won the last two Stanley Cups.
Their forechecking game is relentless and wears down opponents.
Key veteran leaders — like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk — provide both skill and grit.
Their defense is sound: they’ve shown over multiple seasons how to defend tight games.
All in all, their mix of talent, cohesion, and winning pedigree makes them a very realistic Final team.

4. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are also heavily discussed among top contenders.
According to Yahoo Sports, they were among the top five in early 2026 Stanley Cup odds.
Their core is extremely talented: Nathan MacKinnon leads the attack, with Cale Makar anchoring the defense.
They play a fast, puck-possession style, which can dominate in playoff series.
Their power play is dangerous, often fueled by excellent transition and creativity from their stars.
Depth-wise, through the wings and bottom-six, they have emerging players plus experienced contributors.
On defense, they rely on Makar but also have strong supporting defensemen to help in big moments.
That makes them slightly more likely (in model terms) than some teams with similar odds.
Their management has built a roster that balances superstars with role players — good for long runs.
If they catch fire, they could be one of the most dangerous teams in the Final.
For bettors, Colorado may be a bet on “elite talent + high variance”: big returns, but risk too.
Their combination of speed, skill, and structure is very conducive to playoff success.

5. Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights remain in the conversation as a serious Cup-contending team.
According to some early models, they have a ~6.3% chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
Their betting odds are often in the range of +900 (or similar), depending on the sportsbook.
Vegas has a strong playoff pedigree, having made deep runs in recent years.
They combine veteran leadership with high-end offensive talent.
Key players like Jack Eichel, along with depth forwards, give them versatility.
Their defensive core is experienced, and they know how to play tight games.
Goaltending in Vegas has often been a strength; they can lean on their netminder when needed.
Their special teams are solid, which is often a differentiator in long playoff series.
According to Dimers, their implied probability-to-odds ratio makes them a “fair but attractive” play.
Their value comes from consistency and being battle-tested, not just star power.
Vegas is less likely to be a “boom or bust” bet, compared to super‑star-heavy teams.
They have enough talent and structure to compete in a Final if they get there.
Their front office has demonstrated they can build a contending roster without reckless cap risk.
There’s upside in their depth — they don’t rely solely on their top line.
If their goaltending and defense hold up, they could grind deep into the playoffs.
For bettors, they represent a more balanced risk: not a long-shot, but not the favorite.
If they hit their stride, they are absolutely Final-caliber.

Summary / Big Picture

These five teams (Hurricanes, Oilers, Panthers, Avalanche, Golden Knights) are the most likely to reach the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, based on odds and model-based forecasting.
Odds differ slightly between sportsbooks and analytic models, but they largely align on these top contenders.
Each team has a different “angle”: for Carolina its structure and balance; for Edmonton, star power + redemption; for Florida, experience + continuity; for Colorado, elite talent + speed; for Vegas, depth + playoff know-how.
The biggest risk for all is health, but also goaltending (especially for fast, high-skill teams).
From a betting or prediction perspective, these are the teams to watch closely as the 2025–26 season unfolds.