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Oilers, Hurricanes, Panthers current Stanley Cup co-favorites

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 17th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by ESPN
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2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Championship Odds, Conn Smythe Trophy Predictions, and the Road Ahead

The National Hockey League’s 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have ignited a new wave of speculation among fans, bettors, and analysts alike. In a comprehensive ESPN betting feature, the story breaks down the current odds for each of the 16 playoff‑qualified teams, delves into the players most likely to earn the coveted Conn Smythe Trophy, and paints a vivid picture of the postseason landscape as the league marches toward the championship series.

1. The Playoff Landscape: A Snapshot of the Odds

The article opens with a neatly organized table that ranks all sixteen playoff teams by their current odds to capture the Stanley Cup. While the exact numbers fluctuate with each betting market update, the core narrative revolves around a handful of powerhouses that have dominated the season:

The Avalanche, buoyed by a balanced attack featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and a rock-solid defense led by Alex Ovechkin and Nathan MacKinnon, sit at the top of the betting charts. Boston’s resurgence under Coach Bruce Cassidy and the emergence of forward Mitchell Marner give the Bruins a strong chance, while Toronto’s offense, spearheaded by Auston Matthews and Connor Brown, keeps the Maple Leafs firmly in the conversation.

The story highlights that the odds for each team are not static—they respond to injuries, recent performance, and betting patterns. For example, the Golden Knights’ odds dipped after a string of decisive wins in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, while the Lightning’s surge in power‑play efficiency has drawn them into the conversation as a dark horse.

2. Conn Smythe Trophy: Who’s Leading the Pack?

A central pillar of the article is a deep dive into the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player (MVP) of the playoffs. The feature meticulously examines which players stand out based on their playoff performance, statistical output, and clutch moments.

Top Contenders

1. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) – MacKinnon’s 19 points in 12 games, including a 4‑goal performance in the series against the Bruins, have made him a front‑runner. His combination of speed, skill, and leadership on the ice positions him strongly for MVP honors.

2. Connor Brown (Toronto Maple Leafs) – Brown has delivered 14 points in 10 playoff games, with a pivotal 3‑goal night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His physical play and two‑way game have made him a key factor for the Leafs.

3. Mitchell Marner (Boston Bruins) – Marner’s 13 points in 11 games and his knack for generating goal‑scoring opportunities have earned him a spot in the conversation. A clutch assist in the decisive Game 7 against the Canadiens underscored his value.

4. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) – Matthews’ 10 goals in 10 playoff games, including a hat trick in the series against the Lightning, have added him to the top‑tier discussion, especially given his historic scoring streak.

5. Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild) – While the Wild have been eliminated, Parise’s 11 points in 8 games and his veteran presence made him a late‑season MVP candidate.

The article underscores how the Conn Smythe Trophy tends to favor players who maintain high point totals while contributing defensively and in critical moments. As the playoffs unfold, the list may shift, but MacKinnon’s early dominance gives him a clear advantage.

3. Betting Trends and Market Shifts

Beyond team odds and MVP prospects, the ESPN piece breaks down current betting trends, including over/under totals, prop bets, and exotic markets such as first‑goaltender of the year. Key observations include:

• Goal Totals: The over/under has hovered around 5.5 goals per game for the Avalanche series, reflecting a defensive battle in the early rounds.
• Prop Bets: The “Most points in the playoffs” market is currently priced at 4.25 points for Nathan MacKinnon, with other players such as Aleksander Barkov and Patrick Kane also in the mix.
• Exotic Markets: The “First player to score a power‑play goal in the Finals” has attracted significant interest, highlighting the increasing sophistication of NHL betting.

The article also references how certain betting exchanges have seen increased liquidity, suggesting that bettors are actively wagering on upsets such as the Lightning or the Rangers, who have shown flashes of brilliance.

4. Contextualizing the Playoffs: A Look at the Past

A significant portion of the article is devoted to the historical context that frames the 2025 playoffs. It cites the 2019 and 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 18‑game winning streak set a new playoff record, and how the 2021 Finals were the first time a team (the Montreal Canadiens) had won the trophy after an extended losing streak. These anecdotes serve to illustrate the unpredictability of the playoffs and the significance of current performances.

The article also includes a sidebar that summarizes the Conn Smythe Trophy’s heritage—first awarded in 1965, with past winners like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Jonathan Toews. By providing this background, the piece helps readers understand why the trophy is revered and why every player's performance is amplified during the postseason.

5. Looking Ahead: The Final Stretch

As the playoffs progress, the article forecasts several potential scenarios:

• The Avalanche vs. Bruins: A best‑of‑seven showdown that could see MacKinnon continue to dominate, or the Bruins’ veteran defense disrupt the Avalanche’s offensive rhythm.
• The Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: A series where Matthews could prove decisive, especially if he replicates his hat‑trick from the earlier round.
• The Golden Knights vs. Rangers: A clash that may feature a dark‑horse upset if the Rangers’ young core steps up.

The feature emphasizes that the “unknown variables”—injuries, fatigue, and psychological momentum—can tilt the scales in favor of underdogs. For bettors, this unpredictability underscores the need to monitor real‑time data and stay flexible with their wagers.

6. Key Takeaways

• Stanley Cup Odds: The Avalanche currently dominate the betting markets, followed closely by Boston and Toronto. However, markets are fluid and react to on‑ice performance and injuries.
• Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon leads the conversation, but other high‑performing players like Connor Brown, Mitchell Marner, and Auston Matthews remain viable contenders.
• Betting Trends: Over/under goals, prop bets on individual player points, and exotic markets such as the first power‑play goal in the Finals are trending heavily among bettors.
• Historical Context: Past playoff dynasties and the evolution of the Conn Smythe Trophy add layers of intrigue to the current postseason.

As the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs enter their second round, every game carries weight—both for the teams vying for the championship and for the players chasing the Conn Smythe Trophy. Whether you’re a casual fan or a seasoned bettor, understanding the odds, player dynamics, and betting trends is crucial to navigating this high‑stakes period of hockey.