With the NHL regular season in the rearview mirror and the quest for Lord Stanley’s trophy underway, the Colorado Avalanche have emerged as the clear betting favourites. According to the latest lines from bet365, the Avs are positioned to reclaim the throne they last held in 2022.
Below are the current 2026 Stanley Cup winner odds.
Current Stanley Cup Odds (via bet365)
| Team | Odds |
| Colorado Avalanche | +300 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +425 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +475 |
| Dallas Stars | +1000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1100 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1200 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +1600 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1600 |
| Ottawa Senators | +1800 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +2500 |
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The Favorites: Colorado’s Dominance
The Colorado Avalanche (+300) aren’t just winning; they are dominating. Led by Hart Trophy frontrunner Nathan MacKinnon and defensive powerhouse Cale Makar, Colorado finished the season with the NHL’s best record. Their home-ice advantage is legendary, having dropped only nine regulation games at Ball Arena all year.
They’ve already backed up the hype by sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round, proving their defensive game is just as lethal as their scoring depth.
Canada’s Best Hope: Can the Drought Finally End?
It has been 33 years since a Canadian team hoisted the Cup (Montreal, 1993), but 2026 offers some intriguing storylines for fans north of the border:
- Edmonton Oilers (+1200): After back-to-back heartbreaking losses in the Finals to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers are on a mission. With the Panthers failing to even qualify for the 2026 postseason, the path through the West feels wide open for Connor McDavid’s squad.
- Ottawa Senators (+1800): The Sens have surged into the top 10, showing maturity and depth that hasn’t been seen in the capital for years.
- Montreal Canadiens (+2500): While they remain longshots, the Habs carry the weight of 24 championships. Their presence in the top 10 indicates a roster finally ready to compete after a long rebuild.
The Eastern Contenders
The Tampa Bay Lightning (+425) remain the biggest threat from the East. After a three-year hiatus from the Finals, the Russian core of Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy looks revitalized. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes (+475) boast the league’s best goal differential, led by Sebastian Aho’s stellar 80-point campaign.
Inside the Sweep: Avs Oust Kings, Kopitar Retires
The Avalanche’s status as favourites was cemented Sunday night in Los Angeles. Nathan MacKinnon tallied two goals and an assist as Colorado completed a 5-1 rout to sweep the Kings.
Beyond the scoreboard, the night marked the end of an era. Kings captain Anze Kopitar played his final NHL shifts, receiving a massive standing ovation from the L.A. crowd. The two-time champion retires as the franchise’s leading scorer.
For Colorado, the focus now shifts to the winner of the Dallas vs. Minnesota series. With at least five days of rest secured, the “Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avs” look rested, healthy, and extremely dangerous.
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