Get Ready for the 2025 NHL Playoffs!

The excitement is building as the 2025 NHL Playoffs kick off on April 19! The Winnipeg Jets have secured the top overall seed with a phenomenal 116 points in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals, led by the legendary Alex Ovechkin—now the all-time goals leader—claim the Eastern Conference's top spot.

Expert Betting Insights

SportsLine's Jimmie Kaylor, a renowned expert handicapper, has analyzed the latest trends and odds from BetMGM, sharing his premier picks for the Stanley Cup, as well as the Eastern and Western Conference champions and the coveted Conn Smythe Trophy.

In a recent showdown, Kaylor astutely selected Nathan MacKinnon to score first during the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, leading to a thrilling payout of 13-1 when the match concluded at 3-2 in favor of Canada. Additionally, his impressive track record includes a remarkable five-leg parlay bet with a payout nearing 7-1!

Current Stanley Cup Odds from BetMGM

As the tension heightens, check out the updated Stanley Cup odds for 2025:

- Montreal Canadiens: +8000 - New Jersey Devils: +4000 - Toronto Maple Leafs: +1200 - Washington Capitals: +950 - Dallas Stars: +850 - Colorado Avalanche: +750 - Florida Panthers: +750

Dark Horses and Favorites

The current stance from BetMGM highlights interesting dynamics: the Avalanche and Panthers emerge as heavyweights in the East, while the Western Conference remains fiercely competitive, with teams like the Stars, Avalanche, Oilers, and Knights all in the running.

Despite the strong capabilities of both the Stars and Avalanche, they'll face off in the first round, one of the more intriguing matchups to watch. The standout plays in the playoffs? Kaylor firmly believes that the Avalanche and Panthers will take their respective conferences.

Analyzing Eastern Conference Odds

In the Eastern Conference, the odds are as follows:

- Florida Panthers: +340 (favorite) - Carolina Hurricanes: +350 - Washington Capitals: +450 - Toronto Maple Leafs: +575

While the Panthers are the favorites, Kaylor's sleeper pick is the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could surprise in the playoffs!

Western Conference Landscape

Turning to the Western Conference, here's the current betting landscape:

- Colorado Avalanche: +380 (favorite) - Dallas Stars: +425 - Vegas Golden Knights: +450

Both the Avalanche and Stars are seen as top contenders. Kaylor leans towards the Avalanche as the likely victor!

Conn Smythe Trophy Predictions

Looking at the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy, notable contenders include:

- Nathan MacKinnon: +1400 - Cale Makar: +2200 (best bet) - Connor McDavid: +1300

Kaylor expects the winner to emerge from the ultimate Stanley Cup champion, with Makar and potential sleeper Valeri Nichushkin at +15000 proving to be interesting picks.

Final Thoughts on Stanley Cup Matchups

As oddsmakers highlight the strongest contenders, the most likely Stanley Cup Final matchups involve exciting pairings like Panthers vs. Avalanche and Panthers vs. Stars, both sitting at +1600.

Prepare for a thrilling playoff season filled with surprises and intense competition! Tune in to catch the action unfold! Are you ready to make your bets?