Reports indicate the Canadiens are expected to be active this offseason, making their long Stanley Cup odds an intriguing value for bettors.
The Montreal Canadiens are emerging as a potential sleeper pick heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, with Stanley Cup odds currently sitting at +10000, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
TSN insider Darren Dreger added intrigue into the conversation around the Habs next season by recently reporting that they are actively pursuing a second- or third-line center this offseason.
Montreal is more than well-positioned to make a deal thanks to a surplus of draft capital and high-end prospects. The Habs have multiple first-round picks in 2025 and flexibility extending through 2026 and beyond, which gives GM Kent Hughes assets and the motivation to make a bold move.
Montreal’s jump from a rebuilding team to a playoff qualifier this past season has set the stage and with another big move or two, we could be quickly looking at this time as a Stanley Cup contender.
With potential trades, offer sheets and enough cap space to sign one more solid player with roughly $6 million on cap space left, the Habs may quickly see their odds jump and this could be one of our last chances to cash in on such juicy odds.
After three consecutive seasons near the bottom of the league standings, the Canadiens posted a 40–31–11 record in 2024–25, good enough to claim the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Their success came largely on the back of a young, fast-developing core, highlighted by Nick Suzuki’s 89-point campaign, Cole Caufield’s 37-goal season, and the breakout of rookie defenseman Lane Hutson, who captured the Calder Trophy.
It marked the first time since their Cinderella run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final that they played meaningful games and despite losing in five to the Washington Capitals, the loss signaled a beast is coming.
With one of the NHL’s youngest rosters, averaging just under 26 years of age, the Canadiens are only beginning to tap into their potential. Former first overall pick Juraj Slafkovský’s development into a legitimate top-six forward, along with steady progress from players like Kaiden Guhle, Alex Newhook, and Jayden Struble, has given coach Martin St. Louis multiple options across the lineup.
Most importantly, the team’s defensive structure has solidified with the help of Hutson, and its special teams saw noticeable improvements, areas that were major weaknesses during previous seasons.
Montreal shows all the signs of being a potentially dangerous team in the near future and with odds placing them towards the bottom of the league, this bet is one that many should take into serious consideration.
FanDuel's early odds spotlight a wide-open Jack Adams race fueled by comeback coaches and surprise contenders.
As the 2025 NHL season draws to a close, the race for the Jack Adams Award as the league's best coach as started to intensify.
FanDuel's current odds reflect this competitive landscape, with Columbus' Dean Evason and Anahiem's Joel Quenneville leading the pack ahead of what will be a busy summer for both clubs.
It's easier to look at the award as the team that generally improved the most and provided the best storyline like this past season with Spencer Carbery and the near-President's trophy winning Washington Capitals, after many pegged them to be a wild card team at best entering the season.
With that in mind, we present the betting odds for next year's Jack Adams award with some potential storylines that could come out of certain teams and lead to their head coach winning the predigest award.
2025-26 Jack Adams Award Betting Odds per FanDuel Sportsbook
Evason brings a wealth of experience, having previously coached the Minnesota Wild, where he led the team to multiple playoff appearances. His leadership is credited with revitalizing the Blue Jackets, guiding them to a strong finish in the 2024–25 that almost no one expected, with preseason expectations having them pegged as a lottery team.
Joel Quenneville (+1000)
Quenneville is back as an NHL head coach after a hiatus and could prove to be a difference maker for a hungry Ducks team.
With over 969 career wins and three Stanley Cup titles, Quenneville's extensive experience will almost certainly help improve and develop the younger players on the team while creating a culture not seen in the City of Angels for quite some time. The team will also look signicantly better after the Ducks use their $32.1 million in cap space to bring in fresh blood like New York's Chris Kreider.
Andre Tourigny (+1100)
The Utah Mammoth had a fun team last season that finished with a very solid 38-31-8 record and will look to build on that success with just over $20 million in cap space heading into the summer.
One thing that team owner Ryan Smith made clear is that he wants his team to win and to bare minimum make the playoffs next season. The attitude of the organization is to win and perform like Smith's Denver Nuggets of the NBA and this should lead to some aggressive moves from GM Bill Armstrong this summer.
Martin St. Louis (+1200)
The Habs have a promising young core and as much as their rivals like it, they are building towards a potential cup contender. Since taking over as head coach, St. Louis has led a remarkable turnaround in Montreal, guiding the team to an unexpected playoff berth this past season and earning recognition with votes for the Jack Adams Award.
His leadership and tactical adjustments have been key to the team's success and with more talent on the way like Ivan Demidov, there's a very real chance the Habs could be a top three seed in the Atlantic division and earn St. Louis a relatively easy Jack Adams next season.
Sullivan, a two-time cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has a very easy case to win the award as he has to turn around a Rangers team that finished with a 55-23-4 record just one year ago. With his expertise of a 409-255-89 all-time record with the Penguins, the Blueshirts should have one of their best years yet but it could depend on the talent in the lineup.
GM Chris Drury has made some aggressive moves to change the culture of the team like trading away longtime Rangers in Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. If Drury doesn't manage to trade away all of New York's skilled players, Sullivan will have one of the safest cases to be a contender for the Jack Adams.
Ryan Huska (+1900)
Huska has been leading a Flames team that is focusing on building a resilient and competitive group. Despite their 41-27-14 record this past season, Calgary fell just short of a playoff berth but showed lots of promise as a physical team that many dreaded to play against.
With the fifth-most cap space in the league at nearly $27 million, the team could make some key improvements and continue to ride the hot hand of rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who looks like he will be the anchor of the Flames for years to come.
Jeff Blashill (+1900)
The Blackhawks are desperately looking to improve on their 126-215-43 record since 2020 and the hope is Blashill is the man to get the job done.
With potential reinforcements from trading the third overall pick and utilizing $25.2 million in cap space for free-agent signings, Chicago could assemble a competitive roster. A playoff berth would almost certianly put Jeff Blashill in contention for the Jack Adams Award.
The Sharks were one of most exciting teams in the league to watch last season as they remained a reliable betting team to cover the puck line despite their troublesome record that has them listed as a lottery team once again. San Jose is slowly building as a team in the basement for a long period of time almost always leads to a sleeping dragon much like the Florida Panthers for several years.
If Warsofsky can develop San Jose’s young players into difference-makers and make key additions using their league-leading $41.7 million in cap space this summer, it could result in a far more competitive roster than anticipated and put Warsofsky in the running for the Jack Adams Award.
Rick Tocchet (+2200)
The Flyers have a promising future thanks to their talented young players such as Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates, who have already demonstrated they can make an impact at the NHL level.
Adding to that, Rick Tocchet’s elite coaching resume, highlighted by his recent Jack Adams Award, brings proven leadership and player development expertise. With Tocchet guiding this youthful roster, the Flyers are well-positioned to improve and compete more strongly in the upcoming season.
Travis Green (+2200)
Green has helped develop the young Senators team into a playoff contender and depending on the success of the team next season, he could be an easy pick to win the award. A top three division seed for Ottawa would make Green hard to beat
Todd McLellan (+2300)
Todd McLellan took over as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings mid-season, replacing Derek Lalonde. Despite the team's overall struggles, McLellan's experience with defensive structure should help lead the Red Wings to one of their best seasons in years as they are on the cusp of a playoff berth. Watch for McLellan to be one of the biggest darkhorses for the award.
Adam Foote (+2300)
The case for Foote is easy as the Vancouver Canucks have the makeup of a team that challenged the two-time Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game slugfest a year ago and could build up to that same level once again.
Star players like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will need to play massive roles and get the Canucks back in the playoff picture at minimum.
Panthers' Sam Bennett indicates extension coming after interaction with fans after Stanley Cup win.
Sam Bennett cemented his legacy in Florida Panthers history by capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Despite being set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, Bennett was seen among a crowd of jubilant fans post-victory, where chants of “eight more years” erupted around him—strongly hinting at a potential return to Sunrise.
Bennett led the postseason with 15 goals and added 7 assists for a total of 22 points in 23 games, becoming the engine behind Florida’s second consecutive championship run.
His aggressive, unrelenting style defined the Panthers’ playoff identity, and his NHL-record 13 road goals made him the ultimate clutch performer away from home. He added five goals in the Finals alone, including crucial tallies in Florida’s decisive 5–1 Game 6 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
While contract negotiations loom, the mutual admiration between player and city suggests that both sides are leaning toward keeping the fiery forward in Panthers colors. His postseason performance will be remembered as one of the most dominant in recent memory.
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk revealed his several injuries suffered during the playoffs.
Matthew Tkachuk’s performance in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final was hard fought as he helped his Florida Panthers finish off the Edmonton Oilers in six games with a dominant 5–1 win at home.
The win secured Florida their second straight Stanley Cup and inserted the teams name into the conversation of a hockey dynasty as this was their third straight finals appearance.
In post-series interviews, Tkachuk revealed he had played the entirety of the playoffs with a completely torn adductor that was ripped off the bone as well as a sports hernia, both on the same side.
Tkachuk confessed that he had “wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times” but was kept in the lineup thanks to intensive medical management.
Despite missing the end of the regular season, he returned in Game 1 of the opening round, ultimately contributing eight goals and 23 points in as many games, including a clutch goal in Game 6 on Tuesday.
The physical toll of such injuries is immense. A torn adductor avulsion off the bone typically requires surgery followed by four to six months of rehabilitation, a timeline mirrored by recovery from a hernia, depending on severity.
Panthers insiders, including coach Paul Maurice, have expressed cautious optimism that Tkachuk could be ready for the playoffs next year, but warned that starting the season in late 2025 may be more realistic than expecting him in opening night form. Rushing him back too soon could increase the risk of chronic injury.
This will be one of the many offseason stories for the Panthers as they are facing serious offseason roster decisions, especially as they chase a historic third straight Stanley Cup.
Early futures emerged with Florida at +750 odds to win the 2025‑26 Stanley Cup, but their cap situation is tense with roughly $19 million available yet have three massive pending unrestricted free agents in Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand, who will likely all require big tickets following another successful Stanley Cup win.
These roster variables, combined with Tkachuk’s injury uncertainty, complicate Florida’s path to a three-peat. While the +750 odds may look juicy, they don’t factor in the potential early-season absence of their star winger and the possibility of losing key contributors.
Bettors and fans alike should temper their expectations, as they shouldn't get too greedy and enjoy their second straight Stanley Cup as it's a legendary moment before thinking about a third.
Hurricanes, Golden Knights and Kings among frontrunners to land pending free agent Mitch Marner following recent reports from top NHL insiders.
The sweepstakes for superstar winger Mitch Marner are heating up with recent rumors taking teams out of the equation and narrowing down the field.
It was reported by multiple sources that the 102-point scorer this past season is not interested in returning to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the team has reached out but has not found any success in reaching the 28-year-old.
"The Maple Leafs have tried to talk to Marner and Marner's camp have engaged with them and I think everyone knows where this will be heading,"
- Friedman explained on his podcast, 32 Thoughts.
With the confirmation of a new team being in play, we can start to narrow down the options for where we think Marner will go but we should first look back to what the latest betting odds were before the recent reports.
Updated Mitch Marner Next Team Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Vegas Golden Knights +195
Carolina Hurricanes +470
Pittsburgh Penguins +600
Anaheim Ducks +800
Chicago Blackhawks +800
Los Angeles Kings +1000
Utah Mammoth +1600
Toronto Maple Leafs +2100
San Jose Sharks +2700
Florida Panthers +2900
Ottawa Senators +2900
Columbus Blue Jackets +2900
Philadelphia Flyers +4000
New York Islanders +4000
Detroit Red Wings +4000
It was reported by Friedman that he's heard from Maple Leaf teammates of Marner that they believe he will move to the Western Conference as some described the move being a "clean break."
Friedman expanded on this by mentioning some of the teams he heard were in on Marner saying "People believe LA, people believe Vegas is definitely a team to watch if not the team to watch."
Along with the Kings and Golden Knights, Friedman confirmed that he heard through several sources that the Hurricanes are hoping to make a serious push for Marner after failing to secure a superstar talent when acquiring and then dealing winger Mikko Rantanen.
This could open up the possibility to several teams remaining in the conversation like the Detroit Red Wings, who have slightly less cap space than Carolina but have one of the deepest prospect pools in the league and could prove to be enticing to Marner.
The values for all these teams are still very solid if they are to remain what we last saw before sportsbooks starting taking down the bet. With the Golden Knights at +500, the Hurricanes at +470, the Kings at +850 and the Red Wings behind the rumored top favourites at +3500, it should make for an exciting bidding war.
We could look to pull the trigger on placing a bet on the race, when we next get a chance, with the Hurricanes and Golden Knights appering to be the best cases as it was reported Marner would like to join a contender but the report was seemingly speculation and nothing official.
The Blackhawks are reportedly interested in trading the third overall pick in this year's draft
The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly interested in trading the third overall pick in this year's draft for more immediate help for young star Connor Bedard, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
"The Chicago Blackhawks are open for business over the next 10 days."@frank_seravalli dives into his earlier report that Chicago is open to trading their third overall pick on the Chicago Lead. pic.twitter.com/2kkwfAHCuU
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) June 17, 2025
The Blackhawks have made eight first-round picks over the past three years and aren’t focused on further stockpiling prospects. With the 25th overall pick this year and two more first-rounders next year, trading down from the No. 3 spot could make sense as the team shifts its focus from rebuilding to winning.
They aren't desperate to trade the pick Seravalli added, however they would are looking to be aggressive this off-season and trading a top three pick would be just that.
Chicago hasn't made the playoffs since 2020 and have accrued a 126-215-43 record during that span. A top six forward or top four defenceman could go a long way for this Blackhawks team that is starving for some wins.
Swedish forward Anton Frondell is the betting favorite to be selected third overall in this year’s draft, currently listed at -140 odds. Caleb Desnoyers is next at +250, followed by Porter Martone at +450, while Michael Misa and James Hagens sit further back at +750 and +900, respectively.
The gap between Frondell and the rest suggests he’s the clear frontrunner, but the presence of several high-upside options means there’s room for surprises especially with a trade very much in play.
McDavid, Draisaitl attempt to lead comeback as Panthers one win away from back-to-back Stanley Cups
The potential biggest game of the series if it doesn't go seven is Game 6 tonight in Sunrise as the Florida Panthers look to make it back-to-back Stanley Cups when returning home with a 3-2 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 7-4 record through the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Game 6 Best Bets:
Oilers ML (+125)
Leon Draisaitl anytime goal (+120)
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (-104)
Over 6.5 goals (-106)
The Oilers have proven to excel when their backs are against the wall as they came one game short of completing a 3-0 series comeback versus the Panthers in last year's Final and have continued the same success this postseason.
They overcame a 2-0 series hole versus the Kings in the first round and haven't looked back since winning 12 of their next 14 games. The Panthers gave them a taste of their own medicine by rattling off three wins over the last four games after losing Game 1 in overtime.
It's been a tight, thrilling series in some games while others have made the Panthers look like an unstoppable machine. I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers know what to do in this spot.
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers themselves were dominated in important games like their 9-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5 when Vegas claimed their first Cup in franchise history. I expect a similar performance from the Oilers as we've been long overdue for a big road game from Edmonton's biggest stars.
We covered it in a recent story that McDavid has rarely covered his over in points on the road in Florida, only doing so just once. The rest of the Oilers lineup has less than a point per game average in six road playoff games in Florida and this should change. The red hot Leon Draisaitl has just three points, Evan Bouchard has five points and the trip of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Corey Perry and Darnell Nurse all have two points.
The truly elite Florida defence has been so for too long and it's long overdue for a blowup game like when the Oilers went on the road and won 5-3 in Game 5 of last year's Final.
The biggest games should come for Edmonton's top players in Draisaitl and McDavid. The German winger has just one goal in his last three games, the 52-goal scorer will certainly break his cold streak on the road in Florida and score a big goal. McDavid should breakthrough for a multi-point game and help lift the Oilers to a massive win, forcing Game 7 on Friday.
First six players from each participating nation revealed for Men's Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have gotten more interesting in the last few days as several nations participating in the Ice Hockey event revealed the first six players on their rosters with some of the biggest names in the sport like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby.
Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men’s hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games.
Early betting odds have already been posted for the event with Canada leading the pack at +150 with Team USA trailing behind in second with +200 odds.
FanDuel's Current Betting Odds for the Gold Medal:
Canada enters the 2026 Olympics as the clear favorite, led by stars Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart. With Jordan Binnington likely to regain the crease after a stellar Four Nations Face-Off, he can add to this powerhouse team looks poised to take gold. Anything less would be a major disappointment.
The United States is ready to make a serious run at gold in 2026 with one of the deepest rosters it has ever assembled. Newly announced names include Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy, culminating in a fast, physical, and skilled core. With Connor Hellebuyck likely in goal and Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, Team USA looks built to finally end its Olympic gold drought dating back to 1980.
Sweden’s 2026 Olympic roster is already shaping up to be a contender, with newly announced names including William Nylander, Adrian Kempe, Lucas Raymond, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Gabriel Landeskog. The mix of veteran leadership and dynamic youth gives Sweden a well-rounded attack, and if goaltending holds up behind a strong blue line, the Tre Kronor have the pieces to push for gold.
Finland enters the 2026 Olympics once again as a disciplined, defensively sound contender with a roster built on structure and selflessness. Newly announced players include Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Juuse Saros, giving the Finns a balanced attack, a mobile blue line, and elite goaltending. With their 2022 Olympic gold still fresh, Finland remains a serious threat.
Czechia has added David Pastrnak, Martin Nečas, Pavel Zacha, Ondrej Palát, Lukas Dostal, and Radko Gudas to its Olympic roster, injecting scoring, grit, and experience across all positions. Pastrnak and Nečas lead the offense, with Zacha and Palát adding depth and versatility. Gudas shores up the blue line, while Dostal joins Petr Mrázek and Karel Vejmelka in net.
Tomas Hertl’s status remains uncertain due to injury, leaving a key hole up front. While not favorites, Czechia’s growing roster gives them real upset potential.
Switzerland has named Roman Josi, Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler to its Olympic roster, adding star power across the lineup. Josi anchors the defense, while Hischier, Fiala, and Meier lead a skilled forward group. Depth remains a question, but with this core, Switzerland is well-positioned to challenge for a quarterfinal upset.
Slovakia has announced six key names to its Olympic roster: Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, Erik Cernak, Martin Pospisil, Tomas Tatar and Martin Fehérváry, blending youth, size and experience. Slafkovsky will be a focal point of the offense, with Tatar offering veteran leadership and Pospisil bringing a physical edge. On defense, Nemec, Cernak and Fehérváry form a promising core. Goaltending and depth remain concerns, but Slovakia’s grit and emerging talent make them a tough out.
Germany has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider, Lukas Reichel, Nico Sturm, and Philipp Grubauer, highlighting a talented and balanced team.
Draisaitl remains one of the world’s best players, with Stützle adding dynamic offensive skill. Seider and Reichel strengthen the lineup, while Grubauer provides key goaltending experience. Building on their 2018 silver medal, Germany has a real chance to shock hockey fans and match or surpass that success.
Latvia has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Elvis Merzlikins, Arturs Silovs, Uvis Balinskis, Teddy Blugers, Zemgus Girgensons, and Rodrigo Abols, building on their surprising bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. While they may lack NHL star power, Merzlikins provides strong goaltending, and Balcers leads an experienced, physical, and disciplined team that is never an easy opponent.
Denmark has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Nikolaj Ehlers, Lars Eller, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Frederik Andersen, Jonas Røndbjerg, and Jesper Jensen Aabo. Ehlers and Bjorkstrand lead a skilled offense, while Andersen provides reliable goaltending. Despite their talent, limited depth may prevent Denmark from advancing beyond the group stage.
Italy has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Thomas Larkin, Diego Kostner, Luca Zanatta, Tommy Purdeller, Damian Clara, and Daniel Mantenuto. As co-hosts, they’ll be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap remains significant, home-ice energy and contributions from experienced dual-national players like Kostner could help Italy stay competitive in a game or two.
France has announced six players to its Olympic roster: Alexandre Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Jordan Perret, Yohann Auvitu, Hugo Gallet, and Jules Boscq. Texier and Bellemare bring valuable NHL experience, but overall depth and defensive consistency remain concerns. As underdogs, France will focus on gaining experience and continuing to grow as a hockey nation.
Evgeni Malkin’s likely final season comes as the Penguins enter with long +28000 odds, creating potential sleeper value for bettors hoping for a storybook ending.
Evgeni Malkin has been one of the faces of Pittsburgh hockey for nearly two decades but the 2025–26 campaign may mark the end of his Hall of Fame journey. According to multiple reports, the Penguins are not expected to offer Malkin another contract following this season, making it likely the last for the Russian superstar. The report did not confirm Malkin himself but the writing appears to be on the wall as the team continues to lean younger under new leadership.
The Penguins reportedly will not offer Evgeni Malkin a contract extension, making the 2025-26 season his last in Pittsburgh, per @JoshYohe_PGH
Even at 38, Malkin showed flashes of vintage brilliance last season. He finished the 2024–25 campaign with 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games. While it's nowhere near the 113 points he recorded in 2008-09, it's still serviceable for a mid-tier centre. He was among the Penguins top contributors, showing that his vision, touch, and playmaking remain effective even as the miles add up.
The wonder is if the Penguins will opt to trade the veteran centre to a contender and help the Penguins retain something of value before he potentially retires. Over his career, Malkin has become one of the most decorated players of his generation. He’s won the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, two Art Ross scoring titles, and the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP during the Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup run.
He's also hoisted the Stanley Cup three times in 2009, 2016, and 2017 as well as being named to the All-Star Game seven times throughout his historic career. As of the end of last season, he’s logged a total of 1,213 NHL games with 514 goals and 832 assists, good for 1,346 points. In October 2024, Malkin became just the 48th player in NHL history to reach 500 career goals.
The timing of this potential farewell couldn’t be more intriguing from a betting perspective. The Penguins enter the season as one of the biggest long shots to win the Stanley Cup, listed at +28000, the fifth-longest odds in the league on FanDuel Sportsbook. Their roster remains in flux and leadership will look very different, with Dan Muse stepping behind the bench as Pittsburgh’s new head coach. Muse, known for his development acumen and detail-oriented approach, has been given long +3100 odds to win the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.
For bettors, the combination of Malkin’s likely final season and a new coaching regime introduces narrative-driven value. It wouldn’t be the first time a legendary player went out with a late-career surge that pulled a team beyond expectations.
If Muse can elevate the team’s structure and Malkin finds another gear for one last playoff push, even the longest odds can become tempting. Cash out oppurtunites are something we've looked at in the past and just a $10 bet on the Penguins would pay out around $2,800 to win the Cup which isn't very likely.
However, Pittsburgh has proven in past seasons that experienced cores can catch fire and if they can manage to battle their way into a playoff spot like they looked like they were going to at times this season, we could get a massive cashout option towards the start of next years playoffs that could pay out a couple hundred dollars.
Oilers and Panthers head for must-win Game 5 Saturday with McDavid due for a big game
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final shifts back to Edmonton with the series tied 2-2 after the Oilers evened things up in Florida. What once looked like a commanding Panthers lead has now turned into a best-of-three showdown, with the Oilers regaining momentum on home ice at Rogers Place heading into a pivotal Game 5.
Game 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final arrives with the series tied 2-2, and history tells us just how crucial this night could be. The Edmonton Oilers return home to Rogers Place after splitting two games in Florida, reclaiming momentum and setting the stage for what could be the most defining game of the series.
Both teams now stand just two wins away from a championship, but based on decades of Stanley Cup history, Game 5 tends to separate contenders from champions.
Since the NHL moved to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that wins Game 5 of a tied Final has gone on to win the Stanley Cup over 70% of the time, according to NHL Stats and ESPN research.
According to Hockey Reference, in the modern salary cap era (2006 to present), teams winning Game 5 of a tied Final on home ice have gone 6-1 in those series. That stat leans heavily in Edmonton’s favor as they prepare for Tuesday night’s clash in front of what will be another electric crowd at Rogers Place.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers Game 5 Best Bets:
Oilers Moneyline (-110)
Over 6.5 Total Goals (-112)
Connor McDavid to Record 2+ Points (-128)
After scoring just one goal through the first two games, Edmonton’s offense has exploded for eight goals over Games 3 and 4, finding rhythm against a Florida defense that suddenly looks overwhelmed.
Connor McDavid leads the postseason in scoring and seems to have fully taken over the series, generating chances nearly every shift and elevating the entire top six.
Back at Rogers Place—where the Oilers are 7-3 this postseason and average over four goals per game—Edmonton holds a decisive edge. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has shown cracks, posting an .857 save percentage in Game 4 and looking less sharp under increased pressure. That opens the door for another high-scoring night.
The total is set at 6.5 goals (-112), a number that’s already hit in back-to-back games. With both teams’ star power now fully engaged, special teams factoring in, and defensive fatigue showing, the conditions are perfect for the Over to cash again.
McDavid, meanwhile, has recorded six points in his last two games and has 10 multi-point outings this postseason. With the series tied and stakes at their peak, backing him to register 2+ points is one of the strongest player props on the board.
Expect a fast-paced Game 5 dominated by Edmonton’s top-end talent, fueled by a raucous home crowd and a wide-open style that favors the Over.
NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) on XDarren Dreger: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is "open for business", wants to improve 2/3 C position, has a lot of trade capital - TSN 1050
