NHL playoffs heat up as top teams fight for Stanley Cup glory (Image Source: Getty Images)
The 2025 NHL playoffs have begun. Numerous teams are attempting to win the Stanley Cup, but the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are the best picks. The Panthers won the Cup in the previous year and wish to win again. The Edmonton Oilers, with Connor McDavid as their leader, are also formidable. A different team has been the champion each year for the last four years. Now fans are eager to know who is going to win this time. Let us have a look at the teams and their prospects.
Hurricanes chase first title as Oilers and Panthers stay close behind
Based on the current betting odds, the Florida Panthers have the highest probability of winning. When one places a $10 bet on them, they can get $52.50. Next are the Carolina Hurricanes. With a $10 bet, they can get back $55. Then there is the Edmonton Oilers, offering $65 for a $10 bets
Below are additional odds by DraftKings:
Panthers: +425
Hurricanes: +450
Oilers: +550
Golden Knights: +750
Maple Leafs: +800
Avalanche: +800
Capitals: +1000
Stars: +1200
Jets: +1300
Blues: +3500
Each figure states how much a person can win with a $10 bet. The smaller numbers have better odds to win.
Playoff matchups and interesting Stanley Cup Trivia
Some playoff series are close now. In the Western Conference:
Jets vs. Blues are tied 3-3.
Stars vs. Avalanche are also tied 3-3.
Oilers and Golden Knights are also close, with both teams each winning two games in the regular season.
In the Eastern Conference:
Hurricanes and Capitals are even in their season series.
The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs three times this season, so they lead the series as favorites.
Some interesting facts regarding the Stanley Cup are as follows:
No team has twice taken the Cup within the last four years.
The last team to have achieved that was Lightning in 2021 and 2020.
Penguins too repeated this accomplishment in 2016 and 2017.
The Red Wings won back-to-back years in 1997 and 1998.
Just two of the past 10 finals required a Game 7.
There has not been a clean sweep (4-0 victory) in the finals since 1998.
The top regular-season team typically does not win the Cup. It last occurred in 2013.
This season, the Winnipeg Jets had the best record but never won the Stanley Cup.
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