Our insatiable thirst for hockey is being quenched by the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. And what a tournament it’s been. But with only a handful of games left before the gold medals are passed out, we will eventually be shifting our focus back to the NHL.
While most people have lost touch with NHL betting, several lines have been skewed by recent movement. We’re keeping tabs on all of the betting action, highlighting the current state of the NHL Futures market!
Avalanche Gaining Momentum
Since the start of the 2025-26 season, the Colorado Avalanche have been viewed as one of the top Stanley Cup contenders. Considering their current record and analytics profile, it’s not surprising to see the Avalanche gaining momentum in the betting market.
Inarguably, Colorado is the class of the league. With just nine regulation losses through the first 55 games of the season, the Avs’ betting price has started to reflect their sustained dominance. They enter the second half of the season with the shortest odds on the board, currently listed as +225 favorites. That represents a seismic shift relative to their opening odds of +800.
As inferred, the Avalanche are collecting the lion’s share of sharp and public action. They lead in ticket count (14.4%), with an even heftier market share in terms of hold. So far, 19.9% of the handle is coming in on Colorado.
Clearly, no one is catching the Colorado Avalanche as the betting favorites. Expect this price to dwindle as the season progresses, with BetMGM limiting its exposure on the Stanley Cup frontrunners.
Oilers Not Being Written Off Yet
It was a less-than-stellar start to the 2025-26 season for the Edmonton Oilers. Sadly, that’s become their preferred way of doing business. The two-time defending Western Conference Champions are notorious slow starters. Despite their constant shuffle upfront and sluggish approach, the Oilers are still one of the primary sharp targets.
Heading into the unofficial second-half of the season, the Oilers account for the second-highest handle at BetMGM. Their 8.1% handle exceeds their 6.4% ticket count, implying that it’s mostly large money wagers coemeing in on the Pacific Division contenders.
Curiously, BetMGM isn’t worried about their exposure on Edmonton, moving the Oilers from +650 to +1100. That could open the door for an influx of money, if Edmonton continues its upward trajectory or makes a big splash in the trade market.
Lightning is Striking
With the usual gladiators doing most of the heavy lifting in the Western Conference, it’s easy to lose sight of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the East. The Bolts have seen a massive swing in betting fortunes, reflecting their quality on-ice product.
Moving from +1500 at the start of the season to +500 now, the Lightning have assumed the role of Eastern Conference favor. Predictably, that swing mimics the sharp betting action. Tampa Bay’s 6.2% handle in Stanley Cup futures betting is the third-highest amount in the Eastern Conference and trumps its 5.2% ticket count.
Accompanied by a sterling analytics profile and an Atlantic Division lead, bettors are slowly tuning into the Lightning as legitimate contenders. But with the price already dropping precipitously, maximum value has already been extracted from this line.
Anything Can Happen in the Playoffs
The top of the Stanley Cup futures board features all of the teams we expect to be there. The Avs, Oilers, and Lightning are just a few of the sharp favorites as we head into the stretch drive. Nevertheless, there is immense value as you inch down the leaderboard.
With teams like the Panthers, Maple Leafs, and Wild also commanding predominantly sharp action, bettors will want to scan the market before jumping head first into one of the chalky favorites.
The playoff format leaves the door open for plenty of upsets. Familiarity is always a factor in the playoffs, but a hot goalie or scorer can almost single-handedly turn the tide in an elimination series.
Pay close attention to line movement, and don’t be afraid of taking a principled stand on an undervalued team in Stanley Cup betting.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
