By BetNewsUpdate Staff | April 19, 2025
A Shakeup on the Ice, and on the Boards
Itâs a brand new world in the Stanley Cup Playoffsâand bettors, brace yourselves. For the first time in NHL history, none of the American-based Original Six teams are in the postseason. That means no Rangers, no Bruins, no Blackhawks, and no Red Wings. Instead, Canada is taking center stageâbacked by five playoff entries and a growing belief this could be the year the Cup heads north for the first time since 1993.
With betting lines shifting and fan sentiment rising, letâs break down the hottest series, best value plays, and where sharp money is going in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
đ¨đŚ Canadaâs Cup Dream: A Worthy Longshot or Sharp Bet?
Canada hasnât hoisted the Cup in 32 years, but oddsmakers are giving them a fighting chance. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers lead the northern charge, both sitting near the top of the futures board. Toronto, behind Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, opened at +850 to win the Cup after clinching the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2000. Edmonton, powered by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, trails just behind at +900.
The Winnipeg Jets, coming off a Presidentsâ Trophy campaign, are a value pick at +1000, but questions remain about their playoff ceiling and Connor Hellebuyckâs stamina. Montreal (+2500) and Ottawa (+3000) are longshots but come with spoiler potential and solid early-round upset odds.
đĽ Battle of Ontario Betting Preview: Leafs vs. Sens
The rivalry is backâand for bettors, itâs a goldmine of prop value. Toronto swept the Sens in previous playoff meetings (4â0 all time), and with home-ice advantage and arguably their deepest roster in two decades, theyâre listed at -230 to take the series. Ottawa, meanwhile, is +185 to pull off the upset but swept the regular-season series 3â0.
Value Props:
- Auston Matthews anytime goal scorer: -125
- Brady Tkachuk over 3.5 hits (per game): -110
- Series to go 7 games: +200
đ Game 1: Sunday, 7 p.m. ET on CBC and Sportsnet
đ¨ Ovi vs. the Upstarts: Canadiens vs. Capitals
The youngest team in the playoffs is crashing the party. Montreal enters as a wildcard but brings playoff pedigree from 2021 and a red-hot rookie in Lane Hutson. Theyâre listed at +210 against the Washington Capitals (-260), led by all-time goals leader Alexander Ovechkin, whoâs chasing a second ring.
Sharp bettors are eyeing Montreal as a high-risk, high-reward play with strong puck line value, especially with the Bell Centre back to full capacity for the first time in years.
đ Game 1: Monday, 7 p.m. ET
đž Panthers vs. Lightning: Sunshine State Showdown IV
This in-state rivalry is now an annual classic. The defending champion Florida Panthers enter slightly banged up and priced at -140, while the three-time Cup finalists Tampa Bay Lightning sit at +120 with playoff warrior Nikita Kucherov leading the charge.
A tight series, with smart money taking Tampa for the experience edge and underdog value. Game totals are likely to trend high with both teams stacked offensively.
đ Game 1: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET
đ¨ Jets Ready for Takeoff: Winnipeg vs. St. Louis
Winnipeg is a favourite in Thunder Bay and beyondâand the odds say they should be. The Jets, who allowed the fewest goals in the NHL this season, are -300 favourites against the St. Louis Blues (+240). Connor Hellebuyck leads all goalies on the Vezina futures board and could be a Conn Smythe dark horse at +1600.
đ Game 1: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
đŁ Oilers vs. Kings: The Western Slugfest
Expect fireworks here. Edmonton and Los Angeles renew a playoff feud thatâs been all Oilers in recent years, but the Kings have home-ice and won the season series. Still, Edmonton is -190 favourites thanks to McDavidâs generational playoff output.
Evander Kaneâs potential return boosts Edmontonâs odds even more, and Draisaitl’s Rocket Richard-winning 52 goals make him a solid pick for series MVP bets.
đ Game 1: Monday, 10 p.m. ET
đ Best Stanley Cup Futures Odds (April 19)
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +750 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +850 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +900 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +1100 |
| Dallas Stars | +1200 |
đ§ BetNewsUpdate Takeaway:
From the Battle of Ontario to the resurgence of Winnipeg and the ever-dangerous Oilers, Canadian clubs offer both patriotic pride and playoff betting value. While U.S. powerhouses take a back seat this spring, the spotlightâand maybe the Cupâis shifting north.
Place your bets accordingly, and don’t forget: momentum in the playoffs is only as strong as your next save, next goal⌠or next lucky bounce.
