Betting Strategies
This year, there are plenty of exciting options for betting on the Stanley Cup. Various bet types allow individuals to concentrate on distinct elements of the game. In this section, we'll explore each betting type to keep you informed.
Stanley Cup Futures Bets
Unlike most bets that focus on upcoming events, future bets are geared toward outcomes that are still some time away. Futures are especially favored in major sports events, like the Stanley Cup finals. If you're keen on betting futures for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, getting in early is advisable.
Stanley Cup Moneyline Bets
Moneyline bets are perhaps the simplest form of betting. This type of bet centers on predicting the outright winner of a game. Make the right call, and you secure a successful wager.
Stanley Cup Point Spread Bets
You can think of point spreads as more sophisticated versions of moneylines. In addition to selecting the winning team, bettors must also predict the margin of victory, which defines the spread.
Stanley Cup Totals Bets
Totals, or over/under bets, require bettors to forecast whether the combined final score will exceed or fall short of a specific number set by the sportsbook. Predict correctly, and your bet pays off.
Stanley Cup Player Props
Player props offer an entertaining way to wager on the Stanley Cup without needing to consider the winning team. These bets primarily focus on individual player achievements, such as goals scored or penalties incurred.
Stanley Cup MVP Odds
Betting on the Stanley Cup MVP gives gamblers an opportunity to predict who they believe will emerge as the tournament's most valuable player. While popular choices may include star athletes, opting for less obvious candidates could lead to greater returns if your pick proves successful.
Live Betting Odds For The Stanley Cup
Live betting presents an exhilarating opportunity to place wagers in the midst of the action. Most traditional bets must be completed before the game begins and are determined by the end result; live betting, however, allows individuals to make bets at any point, taking into consideration the changing odds throughout the match.
NHL Futures Betting
The Stanley Cup is a focal point in NHL futures betting. There are several specific NHL futures that garner significant interest:
Outright Winner
If you have confidence in which team will seize the Stanley Cup this season, consider betting on the outright winner. However, be aware this bet necessitates a long-term perspective, as various factors like team performance, injuries, and trades can all influence the outcome.
Winner of Each Conference
Betting on conference champions is an exciting way to spread out your bets and focus on which teams are likely to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. This strategy allows you to support a strong candidate without needing them to clinch the championship, thereby lowering risk while still presenting a promising futures opportunity.
Winner of Each Division
On a smaller scale, NHL bettors can wager on which teams will finish at the top of their divisions by the close of the regular season. Although this doesnโt directly impact the Stanley Cup playoffs, it may inform your other bets depending on anticipated team strengths.
Which teams will face off in the Stanley Cup?
The question of which two teams will meet in the Stanley Cup Final often occupies the minds of hockey fans throughout the NHL season. If you have a hoped-for matchup that seems plausible, you can leverage this type of future bet to put your instincts to the test.
Stanley Cup Trends
- This century has not seen a single dominant conference. Since the year 2000, teams from the Western Conference have clinched the Cup 13 times, while those from the Eastern Conference have taken it home 12 times.
- Since 2000, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Chicago Blackhawks have each won the championship three times. The Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings have each won the Cup two times, while the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights have each captured it once over the same period.
- In the last 12 seasons, there have been four franchises that celebrated their first Cup victories. The Los Angeles Kings (2012), Washington Capitals (2018), St. Louis Blues (2019), Vegas Golden Knights (2023), and Florida Panthers (2024) each enjoyed the achievement of securing their inaugural title.
- Historically, the best team in the regular season seldom finishes as the Cup champion. The last instance where the top regular season team clinched the Cup was during the 2012-13 season, led by the Chicago Blackhawks.
- In the postseason, lower-seeded teams often surprise higher-ranked opponents. The Kings, who were the No. 8 seed, made history by winning the Cup back in 2012, yet they are not alone. Other lower-seeded teams have made their mark by reaching the Cup Final. For instance, just two seasons ago, the Florida Panthers managed to make it to the Cup Final after snagging the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Similarly, in 2017, the Nashville Predators progressed to the Cup Final as the last wild card from the West.
Stanley Cup Odds History
Understanding historical betting odds and identifying trends that may also apply to the present season is crucial for bettors.
Stanley Cup: 57 Line Moves
As the 2023-2024 season drew to a close, there were 57 notable shifts in betting lines leading up to the Stanley Cup. This clearly illustrates how unpredictable and fluid the betting landscape can be during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Numerous factors, such as player injuries, team form, trades, and coaching strategies, significantly influence these betting lines.
How do the betting odds for past Stanley Cup champions compare to their actual performance on the ice?
Hockey is an intensely dynamic game, and a multitude of intricate interactions can alter a team's performance trajectory. While odds for the Cup usually favor the top contenders, this isn't always guaranteed. Take the Vegas Knights as an example; they had preseason odds of +1800 for the 2023 Cup but ended up clinching their first championship. Typically, the odds present a more accurate reflection as the playoffs progress.
Fromdeereplanet.com
Stanley Cup Odds for Local Teams
Stanley Cup FAQ
Following an exciting Game 4 victory, both the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers stand at -110 odds for winning the Stanley Cup. With the series moving back to Edmonton, both teams have a strong chance to claim the most coveted trophy in sports.
In 2024, the Florida Panthers triumphed in the Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in the series. After taking a commanding 3-0 lead, the Panthers faced a setback with three consecutive losses but ultimately secured victory in Game 7 to win the franchise's first championship.
The postseason comprises four rounds, each featuring a best-of-seven series. What does this entail? A team must win four games to advance in a series. The Stanley Cup Final kicks off in early June. Although it's a best-of-seven series, due to scheduled breaks, the Final can extend over a period of two weeks.
The Montreal Canadiens have the honor of being crowned Stanley Cup champions the most times, having lifted the trophy a staggering 24 occasions. The Toronto Maple Leafs follow with 13 championships but have not secured a win since 1967, which places them among the teams experiencing one of the longest championship droughts in sports history.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been without a Stanley Cup victory for an impressive 58 years, with their last title coming in 1967. They were eliminated again in the second round and will be aiming to break one of professional sportsโ most extended championship droughts.
The Stanley Cup is named in honor of Frederick Arthur Stanley, who served as Canadaโs governor-general. From 1884 to 1886, he was known as 'Lord Stanley of Preston' in the Canadian-British colonies. In 1892, he decided to give a trophy to the best amateur hockey club in the country. It transitioned to being awarded to professional teams in Canada in 1909 and was officially designated as the Stanley Cup with the onset of the National Hockey League.
Choosing the right site for betting on the Stanley Cup Finals is ultimately a personal decision, as many regulated sportsbooks offer well-structured platforms for placing bets on Stanley Cup Futures. However, deereplanet.com recommends BetVictor and BetMGM for Stanley Cup betting.
Author

Jim Tomlin is a seasoned editor and writer who focuses on sports and the gambling industry, exploring their intersection. With over 30 years of experience in journalism, his work has featured in reputable publications such as the Tampa Bay Times, FanRag, Saturday Down South, and Saturday Tradition.